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Fast food has a way of pulling you in, doesn’t it? One minute you’re promising yourself, “This is the last time,” and the next, you’re wiping ketchup off your chin at the drive-thru. It’s quick, convenient, and always there when you don’t feel like cooking, like a greasy, golden mistress that keeps coming back. We’ve all been there, so no judgement.
But some brave folks have managed to quit the golden arches for good, and Reddit is buzzing with people spilling their secrets for ditching fast food. Honestly, I’m here for it.
More info: Reddit
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#1
I had a lot of help by the prices of fast food going through the roof.
Katie Allen 10 months ago
The only positive thing I saw about most fast food was it was cheap and now it's not anymore. What's the point?
Petra Peitsch 10 months ago
Yaps, to pay 10-14 euro for a fast food menü, is ridiculous. You ad 4-5 euro, and you got a decent restaurant menü. Here McD is surviving with their cheap offers, not grand.menüs. Cheap offers like 1 chees/hamburger+middle fries+middle soda forr 5 euro, or 2 burgers for 6 euro in this schedule. I didn't see a grand menü ad for years. And I'm not missing it a bit.
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#2
I don't know - I just feel awful afterwards and decided years ago that I was going to avoid it from now on.
Rural Alberta Mama 10 months ago
Same. I cannot eat Mc Donald's. Everything there upsets my stomach. My kids on the other hand love it :(
Katie Allen 10 months ago
McDonald's is so gross. I'm glad I don't have kids.
Load More Replies... #3
People legitimately think this is b******t. But if you can do a week without eating s**t food and drinking soda and drinks filled with sugar, it goes a long way.
That said, that's how I did. I realized how much better I felt and it led me to make other decisions that were better for my overall health.
Petra Peitsch 10 months ago
The last occasion I was eating McD was in November last year. Partying the night, going to some first-aid course the next day, having a break after 4 hours of that course, and going to McD for some really unhealthy, greasy/sugary stuff to cure my hangover.It helped a bit.
Annabel Again 10 months ago
I can totally confirm that the less sugar you eat the less you crave it. Just got out, added sugar or even just corn syrup and high fructose corn syrup like totally cut them out and don’t drink soda. After a little bit, you won’t want them anymore I promise.
This may sound weird, but fast food is literally engineered to hook you harder than your favorite soap opera cliffhanger—and yes, I mean the kind that has you shouting at the screen. Yeah, those burgers and fries are not just tasty; they’re practically science experiments.
According to experts, the salt, sugar and fat combo tickles the brain’s reward system, releasing feel-good chemicals like dopamine. In short, it’s a happiness hack that’s hard to beat. Think of it as instant gratification served up hot.
#4
Once you stop eating it for a week you'll stop wanting it. For me I realized a lb. of cooked shrimp is cheaper than a meal at Mcd...
Myoviridae 10 months ago
Oh man, I now keep pickled shrimp in my fridge. Easy to prep and delicious protein when I want it!
#5
Grew up poor, never had it. Always home cooked food. That gets ingrained into your brain, fast food and restaurant food tastes like s**t anyway.
IlaTheRedheadBambooEater 10 months ago
Poor amiddle Europe girl here. Sorry but don't agree. First, great restaurant chef can cook better than me or at least same as me and it tastes better when somebody other cooks for you. Second, I hate to say it, but Fu**ING McDonald's give some d***s on their food or idk but omg it so satisfying to get big tasty bacon, I really don't know why. We go to fast food few times (twice? Four times? ) a year and I do not have a bad feeling about it..
R Dennis 10 months ago (edited)
Grew up in poverty in the U.S. and they lost me by including restaurants. I worked in one restaurant for 18 years and ate there at least four times a week and never got tired of the food. McDonald's made me sick whenever I ate it, so I would only get fries. But a few years ago even the fries made me sick... it's been at least six years.
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Panda Panda Bo Banda 10 months ago
I grew up kosher so I also never had it, which only made me want it more.
And honestly, fast food is the ultimate lazy hack, showing up exactly when you don’t want to deal with dinner. Who wants to spend an hour chopping veggies when you can have a cheeseburger in five minutes flat? It’s no wonder we’re hooked.
But unfortunately, this convenience often comes at the cost of health. That double bacon cheeseburger? Yeah, it’s a sodium bomb, drenched in fat and sugar. Hello weight gain, high blood pressure, and heart disease. But hey, at least it’s delicious.
#6
Did a blood test found out i an pre diabetic and my cholesterol at the roof, so i wanted to do something good to myself been training and eating healthier for the past 4.5 months and lost 10 kg because of it. Still pushing through i ate almost one fast food meal a month when i feel like it and thats it sometimes i even forget!
Petra Peitsch 10 months ago (edited)
When reading such posts, I'm really wondering, how fat the OP must have been, when by only dropping fast food lost 10 kg... Like 120-130 kg? I don't know, but relly curious.
ColdSteelRonin 10 months ago (edited)
Pay better attention. They stated that they've been training which generally means exercising. If you're ignorant of the term, now you know. I think you got downvoted for using fat (a common and correct term) but c'mon, this is BP. Terms like that aren't tolerated in the echo chamber.
Load More Replies... #7
I stopped it for a long time. Long means a few months. I still don’t eat fast food a lot but when I ate it, I always felt remorse when it was finished. I wished I had my money back.
I started eating more and more at home, cooking for myself.
HangryHangryHippo 10 months ago
I finally cave in and got a McRib... Previous time I ate in Micky D was maybe 4 years ago? For the life of me, can't understand the hype! Doesn't worth the calories, I could've bought actual ribs instead!
Nuku Nyara 10 months ago
Every time I forget how awful the mcrib tastes so when they bring it back I end up buying one and being disappointed. This year is the first year that I remembered how awful they are and purposely skipped buying one when they came out
Load More Replies... #8
I no longer saw it as worth it when I can make a healthier, cheaper, and tastier meal at home in less time than it would take me to go get fast food. Get good at cooking. It’s so worth it and it easily impresses others when you can make a delicious meal from scratch. .
iBlank 10 months ago
most of my dinners are veggies and a protein microwaved in a bowl. Doesn't get much easier and is way healthier.
ColdSteelRonin 10 months ago
Mines usually basmati rice or pasta with beef (primarily) or chicken with a home made sauce generally involving mushrooms
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Oh, and fiber? Forget about it. Your digestive system is crying for help at this point. It’s like filling up a Ferrari with cheap gas and then wondering why it’s sputtering down the highway. Besides, fast food can also mess with your mood, leaving you sluggish and cranky.
Basically, eating fast food too often is like giving your body a hangover—fun at first, but you’ll regret it later. I don’t know about you, but those greasy fries and fatty burgers don’t seem so tempting to me anymore.
#10
I sort of just stopped when I got in my 30s. The burgers and fries started tasting like battery acid. When I found out that McDonald's fries don't go bad, I was like "yeah I'm all set" and never looked back. I felt the same way about soda. I haven't had soda in 5 years. Never really looked back.
Floeckchen 10 months ago
Dehydrated food never gets bad. Not a McDonalds specific thing and actually no need for concern.
john doe 10 months ago
McDonald's fries never spoil or mold, there is a museum in Iceland that has the last McDonald's meal served in Iceland in it, it looks like it was made yesterday, it's been there for at least 15 years now.
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#12
As I got older, I developed a more sophisticated sense of taste. When you get used to real food, the thought of eating fast food regularly is just disgusting. Maybe once or twice a year I'll go to In-N-Out for a Double-Double, but even then, it's usually because someone is visiting from out of state,.
Myoviridae 10 months ago
I am a gluten-intolerant pescatarian due to health issues associated with long covid. I have learned how to make an animal-style In-N-Out burger with an Impossible Burger, a gluten-free bun, a slice of meltable cheese, the caramelized onions, and the duplicate of the sauce (thanks Serious Eats!). It hits all of my cravings and damn it is good!
But why do we cave to fast food? Hunger and lack of options, basically. But meal prepping can save you from the dreaded “Ugh, there’s nothing to eat” moment. Okay, I know, it’s not as thrilling as a late-night nugget binge, but trust me, future you will thank you.
And, if you’re craving a burger, why not make your own healthy version at home? You’d be surprised how satisfying a DIY version can be. And plus, you know exactly what’s in it. That’s a win-win in my book.
I get it, I love a good pizza on movie nights too. But here’s the thing: You don’t have to ban fast food forever. You can allow yourself the occasional indulgence, but make it a deliberate choice rather than a mindless habit. Plus, a diet with less fast food can improve your energy levels, mood, and even your skin. Turns out, skipping fries might actually do more for your skin than a $50 face mask. Who knew?
#13
It was too expensive and inconvenient. Plus, I already knew how to cook... it's actually quite scary how few people in my generation seem to have never been taught how to cook.
Panda Panda Bo Banda 10 months ago
There are so many things you can make from scratch without learning how to actually cook.
Floeckchen 10 months ago
Isn't it a good thing if only a few people have never been taught to cook?
#14
I started by telling myself I could only go if im with someone else and THEY are the ones that suggest it. After doing that for a bit I upped it and when I did go I forced myself to only get something I thought I wouldn't like so the association was no longer satisfaction or pleasant. Obviously we're human and everyone liked a fast food fry here and there but the craving has gone down almost entirely.
#15
Just stop going. Seriously it's that easy. If you need to eat go to a grocery store and hit the deli. It's home made and no f*****g chemicals that just make you more hungry in a few hours. I go in and get some meats and cheese for 7 bucks and it's a nice lunch that doesn't weigh you down.
R Dennis 10 months ago
A lot of deli counters have meat products that are made in house, not just deli meat. One place by us sells cook-at-home items like crab stuffed salmon and marinated flank steak skewers. Another one sells hot chicken, meatloaf, stuffed peppers, etc. for less than a fast food meal.
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Katie Allen 10 months ago
I have a really hard time finding rare roast beef though. Can't stand that overcooked stuff, it's like trying to eat leather.
Petra Peitsch 10 months ago
I think, OP meant processed food, by chemicals. To be the one to broke the news: salami, sausages, hams are all processed foods. The least are hams. But it's -like always- abut quantity and quality. Anyway, they are way better than any frozed "meat-products" (if there are not actual meat from some animal), like "dino", "chicken" , "fish" and whatever nuggets, or "schnitzel" or "tempura-anything" ... or ... anything alike.
Giving up fast food isn’t just about saying goodbye to greasy burgers—it’s about feeling like you’re finally in charge of what goes on your plate. Or at least trying to be most of the time; no judgment if you still sneak a fry or two.
So, the next time the drive-thru calls your name, think about how much better you’ll feel whipping up a colorful meal at home. Sure, it takes more effort, but, hey, maybe your body will stop yelling at you. Worth a shot.
#16
I just remind myself how bad I feel after eating it, then embellish that memory with gory details, like how Whoppers always make me throw up(thats actually true) or how the shakes give me the squirts(also true), but you get the idea. Its negative reinforcement in a way.
ROSESARERED 10 months ago (edited)
Sounds like lactose intolerant..that stopped me having fast food,dairy is I nearly everything including some bread/buns
Shannon Donnelly 10 months ago
First I became lactose intolerant, then gluten intolerant within about 2 years of each other. This was also over the past couple years as fast food prices have soared. So to pay over $10 for a cheeseburger and fries that literally make me sick for days is just ludicrous. It’s taken A LOT of negative reinforcement (denial is a powerful thing), but after finally accepting that yes, lactose pills work to an extent, but there’s no getting around the gluten intolerance,& if I want to feel like anything close to a normal human being, that requires sticking to a rather restrictive diet, so be it.
Petra Peitsch 10 months ago
When you are allergic to Umami. I know the feeling, however, I'm not allergic, "just" sensitive to it. I mean, I can eat a fast-food burger without main problems, an average restaurant asian dish without problems.... once in a month. However, any instant-noodles dishes (ramen or eurooean style quicck pasta) are giving me instant I-wanna-throw-up urge, same with the cheap asia-buffets. I love parmesan and tomatoes (the real ones), but sometimes I'm gagging just thinking about them, What's common in all these artificial and natural stuff? They are all containing a sensible level of artificial or natural umami. The biggest love of any fast food company!
#17
That s**t is too expensive.
When it’s the same price as a nice pub dinner I’m gonna get that instead.
#18
I cook everything at home and learned recipes of fast food items that are higher protein and lower calorie/more calorically balanced. It’s 2nd nature to me at this point, and I genuinely rarely crave fast food, because I “have it” frequently in my normal diet.
Petra Peitsch 10 months ago
Fast food items are really simple dishes, what anyone can make at home. A burger it's just a meat patty, what you can make in 2 minutes with the sesoning you like the best. The fast-food chain "trick" is the umami, what they are adding to it. And as many asians are allergic or not well with diary products, as many whites are allergic or not well with umami.
#19
I just decided my money was best spent on groceries and learning how to cook simple meals. Way more bang for your buck. Also, it's so bad for you. Delicious? Yes. But you feel like s**t after.
#20
I decided one day that I should drink less soda.
Fast food meals always come with soda, so I started by just drinking half and then pouring the rest out.
Eventually I started asking for fast food meals without any drink.
Then one day I said, this feels dumb… I’m just gonna give up the food too.
I feel healthier. I look better. Haven’t looked back.
#22
Inflation! I'm not paying $15 for a footlong Subway sub that cost me $5 pre-pandemic. My salary has not increase during the pandemic. I just can't afford it.
#23
I still eat fast food but I’ve moved to local businesses. Funny enough I stopped going to chains after McDonalds did that stupid Trump thing. Haven’t been to a national chain since then. Local fast food is more expensive and that has helped me realize that I can save money as well.
ColdSteelRonin 10 months ago
Trump went to a McDonalds and served a few people to troll Kamala
Load More Replies... #24
The cost rose too much, and i have to regually wait 15-20 for food. Now I just go to smaller local restaurants. Better quality and similar cost.
Petra Peitsch 10 months ago
In 15-20 minutes you can have simple warm dishes made at home, as well.
Petra Peitsch 10 months ago (edited)
Because, I was downvoted, I'll give a quick example. Spaghetti Carbonara. The most popular pasta dish. It takes less than 15 minutes. You put the salted water boil for the pasta to be cooked. Cut the pancetta in small cubes, and throw in a pan. Grab 4 eggs. Let's say, you are new to it, so it took for you time to make this, and the water is boiling now. You put the unbroken pasta 250-300 gr.- in the boiling water(I would recomend linguine, but it's your choice). In the meantime, the pancetta is frying in a pan, you seperate 3 eggs, putting the yolks in a bowl, and adding the 4th egg as a whole. Salt, freshly ground black pepper, parmesan, as you wish. Taste it, how would you like to be. It's been already 6-7 minutes, that the pasta is boiling and the panchetta is frying, so you are moving the pasta in the frying pan. Mix with the pancetta grease and take it on the side. Now add the eggs and stir gently. 1-2 minutes of it, and you are done. Spread black pepper and parmean over it. Green salad and white wine. Max. 15 min.
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#25
Started to understand that I only have 1 life. It's very hard, but men don't change unless they absolutely have to.
#26
Changed my habits around the fast food, I guess. Prioritized better sleep to cut down on cortisol. Drank more water to feel fuller. Started taking a different way home that didn’t go past Chick Fil A.
Also, running seemed to make my body crave healthier food. Not super intense running. Just jogging for 30 minutes a day.
#27
Got diagnosed as celiac.
Huddo's sister 10 months ago
I had already stopped going unless I was driving to Melbourne (1.5hrs each way) but getting diagnosed meant I stopped completely. Even their iced coffee etc, which I thought was safe said it may contain traces. I really do not want bowel cancer and there is already family history of it.
#28
You can find more, better food now for the same prices, you maybe just have to get out the car once in a while to grab it.
#29
Think about the s**theads making your food, touching your stuff with their dirty unwashed hands. That’s one way, another is to just make your own food.
Floeckchen 10 months ago
Great divergence of words and the image, showing something resembling a vegetable farmer
#30
Only eat real (organic food) for a while and you don't want to go back.
john doe 10 months ago
Real food is great, however real food and organic food are identical, organic is generally a scam they slap it on a label and charge 60% more for the same as the regular vegetable or meat. If I gave you some vegetables from my garden you could say it's organic, but it's not, there are additives in the soil to boost phosphate and nitrates. Don't get me started on non GMO, unless it's wild game it's a GMO literally ever fruit and vegetable that has been farmed in the last 3000 years or so is a GMO. Just stop being naive about food and where it comes from, there is no magic more healthy variety of tomato there are high quality and low quality, organic means nothing.
HangryHangryHippo 10 months ago
Not everybody can afford that. But eating more veggies is a step in the right direction.
Katie Allen 10 months ago
Organic food is not any better for you or better tasting, it's just grown by a slower process and costs more.
#31
It's poisonous garbage that cost more than many sit-down have a server restaurants. Including tips. Also it's far, far cheaper to make it at home. The McDonald's your mom said we have at home is actually better .
What do you think ?
The Doom Song 10 months ago
Fast food is gross. My body doesn't agree with it at all. Gave up soft drink like 5 years ago and I do not miss it. If I eat anything sugary I feel sick. So I just avoid all that s**t now and I've never felt better!
Surly Scot 10 months ago
Moving to USA and finding out I'm allergic to corn. Can't eat 90% of the food in America, irritating when i'm a fat kid at heart and moved here to eat my way across the country. Haven't had fast food in 15yrs, and I can't lie, I've been dreaming about getting back to Scotland to have a disgusting XL Bacon Double Cheeseburger from Burger King. The terrible BK in Glasgow Queen St Station where you eat amongst pigeons. I want those flavorless cardboard patties like a fiend.
Boo 10 months ago
I hate to tell you this, but the BK in Queen Street has been closed for years after the station was refurbished. Sorry.
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DeoManus Argentem 10 months ago
In app ordering! My grocery store (Publix - pretty much the only option in my area, but I'm sure others offer similar) lets me order any kind of sandwich (or other stuff) and it's waiting at the front of the store in the cooler or warmer - just walk in, grab it, walk out. Most are only around $8 (USD) and huge - enough for two large meals. Perfect for something quick!
Sarah Kathrin Matsoukis 10 months ago
For me it was lose weight or die. It's been years and I lost a ton of weight but I won't lie I never stop craving junk food and sugar. It sucks.
Michelle Randazzo 10 months ago
I haven't been to a Wendy's for years. 3 visits in a row, long black,tinted and permed hair was in the food. Easy to quit fast food after that.
Scott Rackley 10 months ago
I swear I'm not an advertiser. If you can't cook, get an insta pot and a recipe book for it. 15 minutes prep, chunk it in there for 10 mins, meal ready. I love cooking but I have one and if it's been a long day I use that. Come home, prep, chunk, feed cats, change into sweats, dinner's ready.
The Doom Song 10 months ago
Fast food is gross. My body doesn't agree with it at all. Gave up soft drink like 5 years ago and I do not miss it. If I eat anything sugary I feel sick. So I just avoid all that s**t now and I've never felt better!
Surly Scot 10 months ago
Moving to USA and finding out I'm allergic to corn. Can't eat 90% of the food in America, irritating when i'm a fat kid at heart and moved here to eat my way across the country. Haven't had fast food in 15yrs, and I can't lie, I've been dreaming about getting back to Scotland to have a disgusting XL Bacon Double Cheeseburger from Burger King. The terrible BK in Glasgow Queen St Station where you eat amongst pigeons. I want those flavorless cardboard patties like a fiend.
Boo 10 months ago
I hate to tell you this, but the BK in Queen Street has been closed for years after the station was refurbished. Sorry.
Load More Replies... DeoManus Argentem 10 months ago
In app ordering! My grocery store (Publix - pretty much the only option in my area, but I'm sure others offer similar) lets me order any kind of sandwich (or other stuff) and it's waiting at the front of the store in the cooler or warmer - just walk in, grab it, walk out. Most are only around $8 (USD) and huge - enough for two large meals. Perfect for something quick!
Sarah Kathrin Matsoukis 10 months ago
For me it was lose weight or die. It's been years and I lost a ton of weight but I won't lie I never stop craving junk food and sugar. It sucks.
Michelle Randazzo 10 months ago
I haven't been to a Wendy's for years. 3 visits in a row, long black,tinted and permed hair was in the food. Easy to quit fast food after that.
Scott Rackley 10 months ago
I swear I'm not an advertiser. If you can't cook, get an insta pot and a recipe book for it. 15 minutes prep, chunk it in there for 10 mins, meal ready. I love cooking but I have one and if it's been a long day I use that. Come home, prep, chunk, feed cats, change into sweats, dinner's ready.
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