Junk Food Feels Like My Only Comfort

Hey everyone,

I’m a 33-year-old guy, and I’m really worried about my weight. I’m 6’2" and over 200 pounds, and I’ve been yo-yo dieting for as long as I can remember. I had some success with keto recently, but once I slipped up, the weight came back quickly.

My biggest struggle is the emotional connection I have with food. Most of the time I’m not even hungry, but I eat to shut out the world and feel comforted. And let’s be real, salads and nuts just don’t do it. Oddly enough, my favorite time to eat is when I’m driving—grabbing a sandwich and snacks after work while listening to a podcast feels like heaven.

I’ve seen therapists, and while I feel better for a bit, I always end up back in the same pattern. When I can control my eating with strict diets like keto or fasting, I feel amazing. But even then, it feels like my relationship with food is unhealthy.

Honestly, I’m losing hope that I’ll ever break free from this cycle. I see it in my mom too—this battle has lasted her whole life, and I’m scared I’m heading down the same path.

I totally understand what you’re going through. What helped me was realizing that eating doesn’t solve any problems—it just adds another one on top. When I crave food, I try to stop and ask myself why. Sometimes I realize I’m tired, frustrated, or just bored, and eating won’t fix that. It’ll just numb it for a while, and then I’ll want to eat again.

It sounds like you’re dealing with an emotional eating habit, which can feel a lot like addiction. Breaking free from it can be really tough, but sometimes quitting cold turkey is the only way to reduce the cravings. It’s like quitting smoking or any other habit—you just have to stop feeding the urge.

If fast food is your biggest challenge, maybe you can try cutting off access. Don’t carry your credit card or deactivate food delivery apps. If you don’t have the option, it’s harder to give in.

I switched from candy to protein bars that taste like candy. Built puff bars (coconut, brownie, and cookie dough) and FitCrunch peanut butter bars are my go-to. They taste great, and I don’t feel guilty because they pack in 17-35g of protein. Just don’t go overboard and eat a bunch at once!

Bennett said:
I switched from candy to protein bars that taste like candy. Built puff bars (coconut, brownie, and cookie dough) and FitCrunch peanut butter bars are my go-to. They taste great, and I don’t feel guilty because they pack in 17-35g of protein. Just don’t go overboard and eat a bunch at once!

Also, try dried fruit or konjac jelly. They can be good alternatives too.

Bennett said:

Bennett said:
I switched from candy to protein bars that taste like candy. Built puff bars (coconut, brownie, and cookie dough) and FitCrunch peanut butter bars are my go-to. They taste great, and I don’t feel guilty because they pack in 17-35g of protein. Just don’t go overboard and eat a bunch at once!

Also, try dried fruit or konjac jelly. They can be good alternatives too.

Dried fruit might not be the best idea. It’s high in sugar and calories without much protein, and it could leave you wanting to eat more.

Keelan said:

Bennett said:
Bennett said:
I switched from candy to protein bars that taste like candy. Built puff bars (coconut, brownie, and cookie dough) and FitCrunch peanut butter bars are my go-to. They taste great, and I don’t feel guilty because they pack in 17-35g of protein. Just don’t go overboard and eat a bunch at once!

Also, try dried fruit or konjac jelly. They can be good alternatives too.

Dried fruit might not be the best idea. It’s high in sugar and calories without much protein, and it could leave you wanting to eat more.

That’s true, but I stick to small 50-calorie packs. Moderation is key.

Bennett said:

Keelan said:
Bennett said:
Bennett said:
I switched from candy to protein bars that taste like candy. Built puff bars (coconut, brownie, and cookie dough) and FitCrunch peanut butter bars are my go-to. They taste great, and I don’t feel guilty because they pack in 17-35g of protein. Just don’t go overboard and eat a bunch at once!

Also, try dried fruit or konjac jelly. They can be good alternatives too.

Dried fruit might not be the best idea. It’s high in sugar and calories without much protein, and it could leave you wanting to eat more.

That’s true, but I stick to small 50-calorie packs. Moderation is key.

It’s better to stick to whole foods if you’re trying to lose weight. Avoid empty calories like candy, chips, cookies, and sugary drinks.

Bennett said:

Sayer said:
Bennett said:
Keelan said:
Bennett said:
Bennett said:
I switched from candy to protein bars that taste like candy. Built puff bars (coconut, brownie, and cookie dough) and FitCrunch peanut butter bars are my go-to. They taste great, and I don’t feel guilty because they pack in 17-35g of protein. Just don’t go overboard and eat a bunch at once!

Also, try dried fruit or konjac jelly. They can be good alternatives too.

Dried fruit might not be the best idea. It’s high in sugar and calories without much protein, and it could leave you wanting to eat more.

That’s true, but I stick to small 50-calorie packs. Moderation is key.

It’s better to stick to whole foods if you’re trying to lose weight. Avoid empty calories like candy, chips, cookies, and sugary drinks.

Totally agree, but 50-calorie packs of dried fruit aren’t going to ruin your diet. I pair them with a protein bar to satisfy my sweet tooth without going overboard.

Or you could just eat a real apple!

Do you have any non-food ways to comfort yourself? And what makes you want to shut the world out so often? Maybe figuring that out could help you break the cycle.

Caius said:
Do you have any non-food ways to comfort yourself? And what makes you want to shut the world out so often? Maybe figuring that out could help you break the cycle.

Honestly, not much comforts me like food. Playing an instrument or video games help a little, but they don’t fully replace the feeling. And I wish I knew the answer to your second question, but after years of therapy, I’m still not sure.

Arley said:

Caius said:
Do you have any non-food ways to comfort yourself? And what makes you want to shut the world out so often? Maybe figuring that out could help you break the cycle.

Honestly, not much comforts me like food. Playing an instrument or video games help a little, but they don’t fully replace the feeling. And I wish I knew the answer to your second question, but after years of therapy, I’m still not sure.

It’s tough, no doubt. Removing a major coping mechanism without addressing the reasons behind it can lead to failure. But at your height, 200 pounds isn’t too bad, especially if you’re active. Maybe you can focus on maintaining your weight while you work through the emotional stuff. Did therapy at least give you tools to tackle these issues?

I know exactly how you feel. My advice is to set a goal like running or tracking calories with an app like MyFitnessPal. You don’t have to be perfect—just focus on having more good days than bad. The emotional connection to food is hard to break, but it’s not impossible.

Arley said:
Hey everyone,

I’m a 33-year-old guy, and I’m really worried about my weight. I’m 6’2" and over 200 pounds, and I’ve been yo-yo dieting for as long as I can remember. I had some success with keto recently, but once I slipped up, the weight came back quickly.

My biggest struggle is the emotional connection I have with food. Most of the time I’m not even hungry, but I eat to shut out the world and feel comforted. And let’s be real, salads and nuts just don’t do it. Oddly enough, my favorite time to eat is when I’m driving—grabbing a sandwich and snacks after work while listening to a podcast feels like heaven.

I’ve seen therapists, and while I feel better for a bit, I always end up back in the same pattern. When I can control my eating with strict diets like keto or fasting, I feel amazing. But even then, it feels like my relationship with food is unhealthy.

Honestly, I’m losing hope that I’ll ever break free from this cycle. I see it in my mom too—this battle has lasted her whole life, and I’m scared I’m heading down the same path.

Here are some resources that helped me:

How to recognize emotional eating cues: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/weight-loss/in-depth/weight-loss/art-20047342

How comfort eating habits form: Where do cravings come from?

How to break bad habits: Disenchant Your Bad Habits

Change your habits with small steps: https://tinyhabits.com/book/

Arley said:
Hey everyone,

I’m a 33-year-old guy, and I’m really worried about my weight. I’m 6’2" and over 200 pounds, and I’ve been yo-yo dieting for as long as I can remember. I had some success with keto recently, but once I slipped up, the weight came back quickly.

My biggest struggle is the emotional connection I have with food. Most of the time I’m not even hungry, but I eat to shut out the world and feel comforted. And let’s be real, salads and nuts just don’t do it. Oddly enough, my favorite time to eat is when I’m driving—grabbing a sandwich and snacks after work while listening to a podcast feels like heaven.

I’ve seen therapists, and while I feel better for a bit, I always end up back in the same pattern. When I can control my eating with strict diets like keto or fasting, I feel amazing. But even then, it feels like my relationship with food is unhealthy.

Honestly, I’m losing hope that I’ll ever break free from this cycle. I see it in my mom too—this battle has lasted her whole life, and I’m scared I’m heading down the same path.

Next time you grab a sandwich, ask them to wrap it in lettuce instead of using bread. You can still enjoy the flavor without the carbs, though you might need to order two instead of one. A lot of fast-food places will do this, including McDonald’s.

Arley said:
Hey everyone,

I’m a 33-year-old guy, and I’m really worried about my weight. I’m 6’2" and over 200 pounds, and I’ve been yo-yo dieting for as long as I can remember. I had some success with keto recently, but once I slipped up, the weight came back quickly.

My biggest struggle is the emotional connection I have with food. Most of the time I’m not even hungry, but I eat to shut out the world and feel comforted. And let’s be real, salads and nuts just don’t do it. Oddly enough, my favorite time to eat is when I’m driving—grabbing a sandwich and snacks after work while listening to a podcast feels like heaven.

I’ve seen therapists, and while I feel better for a bit, I always end up back in the same pattern. When I can control my eating with strict diets like keto or fasting, I feel amazing. But even then, it feels like my relationship with food is unhealthy.

Honestly, I’m losing hope that I’ll ever break free from this cycle. I see it in my mom too—this battle has lasted her whole life, and I’m scared I’m heading down the same path.

I’ve also struggled with emotional eating. What helped me was finding other ways to comfort myself. Journaling, deepening friendships, exercising, and listening to music have all made a difference. It’s not an easy journey, but you don’t have to do it alone. You got this!

Arley said:
Hey everyone,

I’m a 33-year-old guy, and I’m really worried about my weight. I’m 6’2" and over 200 pounds, and I’ve been yo-yo dieting for as long as I can remember. I had some success with keto recently, but once I slipped up, the weight came back quickly.

My biggest struggle is the emotional connection I have with food. Most of the time I’m not even hungry, but I eat to shut out the world and feel comforted. And let’s be real, salads and nuts just don’t do it. Oddly enough, my favorite time to eat is when I’m driving—grabbing a sandwich and snacks after work while listening to a podcast feels like heaven.

I’ve seen therapists, and while I feel better for a bit, I always end up back in the same pattern. When I can control my eating with strict diets like keto or fasting, I feel amazing. But even then, it feels like my relationship with food is unhealthy.

Honestly, I’m losing hope that I’ll ever break free from this cycle. I see it in my mom too—this battle has lasted her whole life, and I’m scared I’m heading down the same path.

Winning feels just as good as comfort food. Try finding things you can win at, like playing basketball or challenging yourself with personal goals. When you stack the odds in your favor and accomplish something, it feels just as satisfying as eating, but in a healthy way.

Arley said:
Hey everyone,

I’m a 33-year-old guy, and I’m really worried about my weight. I’m 6’2" and over 200 pounds, and I’ve been yo-yo dieting for as long as I can remember. I had some success with keto recently, but once I slipped up, the weight came back quickly.

My biggest struggle is the emotional connection I have with food. Most of the time I’m not even hungry, but I eat to shut out the world and feel comforted. And let’s be real, salads and nuts just don’t do it. Oddly enough, my favorite time to eat is when I’m driving—grabbing a sandwich and snacks after work while listening to a podcast feels like heaven.

I’ve seen therapists, and while I feel better for a bit, I always end up back in the same pattern. When I can control my eating with strict diets like keto or fasting, I feel amazing. But even then, it feels like my relationship with food is unhealthy.

Honestly, I’m losing hope that I’ll ever break free from this cycle. I see it in my mom too—this battle has lasted her whole life, and I’m scared I’m heading down the same path.

Do you like soda water or decaf coffee? They can be good alternatives to snacking.

Arley said:
Hey everyone,

I’m a 33-year-old guy, and I’m really worried about my weight. I’m 6’2" and over 200 pounds, and I’ve been yo-yo dieting for as long as I can remember. I had some success with keto recently, but once I slipped up, the weight came back quickly.

My biggest struggle is the emotional connection I have with food. Most of the time I’m not even hungry, but I eat to shut out the world and feel comforted. And let’s be real, salads and nuts just don’t do it. Oddly enough, my favorite time to eat is when I’m driving—grabbing a sandwich and snacks after work while listening to a podcast feels like heaven.

I’ve seen therapists, and while I feel better for a bit, I always end up back in the same pattern. When I can control my eating with strict diets like keto or fasting, I feel amazing. But even then, it feels like my relationship with food is unhealthy.

Honestly, I’m losing hope that I’ll ever break free from this cycle. I see it in my mom too—this battle has lasted her whole life, and I’m scared I’m heading down the same path.

If you’re like me, the comfort from eating junk food only lasts while you’re eating. Once it’s over, the guilt hits hard. It’s really not worth it for just a few minutes of comfort.

Arley said:
Hey everyone,

I’m a 33-year-old guy, and I’m really worried about my weight. I’m 6’2" and over 200 pounds, and I’ve been yo-yo dieting for as long as I can remember. I had some success with keto recently, but once I slipped up, the weight came back quickly.

My biggest struggle is the emotional connection I have with food. Most of the time I’m not even hungry, but I eat to shut out the world and feel comforted. And let’s be real, salads and nuts just don’t do it. Oddly enough, my favorite time to eat is when I’m driving—grabbing a sandwich and snacks after work while listening to a podcast feels like heaven.

I’ve seen therapists, and while I feel better for a bit, I always end up back in the same pattern. When I can control my eating with strict diets like keto or fasting, I feel amazing. But even then, it feels like my relationship with food is unhealthy.

Honestly, I’m losing hope that I’ll ever break free from this cycle. I see it in my mom too—this battle has lasted her whole life, and I’m scared I’m heading down the same path.

I totally get it. I snack when I’m bored, and it’s hard to find something else that fills that gap. Scrolling Reddit is my go-to, but I know it’s not the best replacement!