You've already taken the most important step by acknowledging the problem. Now, try to identify your triggers. For me, it was stress and loneliness. Once I recognized that, I could work on healthier coping mechanisms. Cooking can be therapeutic, start with just one home-cooked meal a day. Gradually increase from there.
@tmartinez2021 Thank you so much for your response. You're absolutely right about the triggers, I never thought about it that way before. Now that I reflect on it, I realize I often order delivery when I'm feeling overwhelmed with work or when I'm procrastinating on important tasks. It's like a quick dopamine hit. I've always seen cooking as a chore, but maybe I need to shift my perspective. Do you have any tips for someone who's pretty hopeless in the kitchen? I'm talking "burn water" level of culinary incompetence here
@tmartinez2021 You're right, YouTube is a treasure trove of information and the idea of replacing the ordering habit with a quick workout is brilliant. I can see how that would help break the cycle and maybe even improve my overall health. Meal prepping is something I've always admired but never attempted. Do you have any favorite meal prep recipes or strategies? I'm worried about food going bad before I eat it all. And how do you stay motivated to cook when you're tired after a long day at work? That's often when I'm most tempted to just order in
@tmartinez2021 You're seriously a lifesaver! Your meal prep ideas sound perfect for a beginner like me. I love the idea of having a base of versatile ingredients that I can mix and match. And those sauces - genius! That'll definitely help combat food boredom. Your "lazy day" meal plan is exactly what I need. I can totally handle scrambled eggs or simple pasta. And wow, I completely forgot about slow cookers! I actually have one gathering dust in a cupboard somewhere. Time to dig it out! You've given me so much hope that I can actually do this. I'm curious though, did you ever have moments where you almost gave up? How did you push through?
@elliotte The automatic reach for the phone is real, it's instant gratification. For kitchen newbies, I'd suggest starting with super simple recipes. Think one-pot meals or sheet pan dinners. They're hard to mess up and require minimal effort. YouTube is a goldmine for beginner-friendly cooking tutorials. It's all about replacing the habit. When you feel the urge to order, try doing a quick 5-minute workout instead. It sounds weird, but it helps reset your brain. Also, meal prepping on weekends can be a game-changer. Having ready-to-eat meals in your fridge makes it easier to resist the delivery temptation. Don't be too hard on yourself if you slip up occasionally, it still happens to me
@elliotte For meal prep, I usually stick to versatile ingredients that can be mixed and matched. Roasted vegetables, grilled chicken, cooked grains like quinoa or rice are my go-to's. They stay good for about 3-4 days in the fridge. To keep things interesting, I prep different sauces or dressings to change up the flavors. As for motivation after work, I totally get it - those are the toughest times. What works for me is having a "lazy day" meal plan. These are super quick meals that require minimal effort but are still homemade. Think scrambled eggs on toast, or a simple pasta with pre-made sauce and frozen veggies
Edit: Another trick is to use a slow cooker or instant pot. You can throw ingredients in before work, and come home to a ready meal. Remember, it's okay to use shortcuts like pre-cut veggies or rotisserie chicken. The goal is to cook more, not to become a gourmet chef overnight!
Woaah, I could have written this post myself a year ago! The struggle is real, my friend. You should know that it's absolutely possible to overcome this addiction. Instead of going cold turkey, I allowed myself to order in twice a week. Then once a week. Then only on special occasions. It's all about progress, not perfection. I also found that learning to cook was a game-changer. Start with simple recipes and build from there. Remember, every time you choose to cook instead of ordering, you're winning. Be proud of those small victories. They add up! You've got this, and your future self will thank you. Why not start by picking out one new recipe to try this week?
@SUSY Susy, thank you so much for your response! I really like your idea of gradually reducing delivery orders. It feels more achievable than quitting cold turkey. But I have to admit, the thought of cooking still intimidates me. My kitchen skills are practically non-existent. I know I will somehow manage to burn the water (don't ask how, I will find a way). I'm worried I'll waste a ton of money on ingredients only to end up with inedible disasters. Plus, after a long day at work, the energy required to cook seems overwhelming. How did you find the motivation to start cooking?
@SUSY Your enthusiasm is contagious! I never thought I'd say this, but you're actually making me excited to try cooking. A stir-fry is manageable. Quick question though – what's your go-to method for recipe hunting? There are so many out there, it's kind of overwhelming
@SUSY Susy, you have officially become my cooking fairy godmother! 🧚♀️ I am so ready for this change and feeling motivated (which hasn't happened in a very long time). Thank you so much!!!
@elliotte burning water? That's a skill in itself! 😂 Don't worry, we've all been there. The key is to embrace the mess-ups – they make for great stories later! I started following some fun cooking accounts on tiktok. Seeing people enjoy the process made me want to try it too. how about starting with something like a simple stir-fry? It's basically just throwing stuff in a pan and moving it around. Can't go wrong there! Even if it turns out weird, at least it's YOUR weird creation, not some overpriced delivery meal
@elliotte Yesss! I'm so pumped for you to start your cooking adventure! For recipe hunting, I swear by food blogs. They often have step-by-step photos which are a godsend for us visual learners. Plus, the comment sections are gold mines of tips and substitutions. Oh, and pro tip: frozen veggies are your friend! They're cheap, last forever, and are just as nutritious as fresh. You've got this!
I've struggled with food addiction for years, but delivery apps have taken it to a whole new level. They've weaponized my weakness. I used to at least have to drag myself to the store or a restaurant, but now? It's all just a tap away, 24/7
The convenience is absolutely killer. I tell myself I'm too tired to cook, or I don't have ingredients, but really, I just crave that dopamine hit of ordering. The anticipation, the tracking, the doorbell ring - it's all part of the high
It's embarrassing, you know? Everyone's telling me that I should have more self-control. But food delivery has become my comfort, my entertainment. Breaking free seems impossible some days. So yeah, I'm right there with you
@Saturno The constant cycle of ordering, waiting, eating, feeling guilty, then doing it all over again... it's exhausting. I've tried deleting the apps, but I always end up reinstalling them within days. It's not just about the food anymore; it's become this whole ritual that I can't seem to break free from. I find myself scrolling through menus even when I'm not hungry, just for that little hit of excitement
@Saturno Escape is definitely the right word. The irony is, I started using them more when I was trying to "treat myself" during stressful times. Now they've become the source of stress. I'm constantly juggling which card to use based on which one isn't maxed out yet. It's embarrassing to admit, but I've even started recognizing some of the delivery drivers. The other day, I caught myself feeling annoyed that my favorite restaurant was closed... at 2 AM! Like, who am I becoming? This whole situation is messing with my self-image
@elliotte I know exactly what you mean about the ritual. It's like this weird comfort zone we've built for ourselves, isn't it? I catch myself doing the same thing - browsing menus when I'm not even hungry, just because it's become such a habit. What if we're not addicted to the food itself, but the escape it provides from having to make decisions and put in effort and the world in general
Hi,
You can break this habit of ordering food. It just requires few changes and practising new habits to stop the existing habits.
You should start planning your meal for entire week so it gets easier when you feel hungry. You just prepare entire week menu and go buy groceries based on that. Just cook the sauces and keep or the pasta and pre cut the vegetables and keep it in the fridge and when required just have to mix it and eat it. So seek for such menu which will help you to prepare in advance and doesn't take much time to cook on weekdays.
You should try deleting the food delivery apps or disable the notifications so that you dont get tempted to see the images of food popping on the mobile screen. This will in a way minimise your temptation for food cravings.
you can also keep healthy snacks so whenever you come back from home you can just munch on that till you are cooking. Like you can have nuts, fruits or veggies like cucumber or carrot.
Start focusing on how much nutritional value goes in the food. so while taking a bite focus on the meal and start becoming mindful about what goes in your food.
You should also think of various other ways to present yourself which can make you feel good than ordering food and presenting it.
You should also chalk a financial plans were you write down what is the necessary budget and what are other things you want to do with money say i want to travel then pre book your tickets so your money get allocated for it. This way lesser fund will be available to spend on food apps.