It all started with the Peppermint Bark from Costco.
I bought it for my daughter.
No that is not a rationalization, she legitimately loves Peppermint Bark.
But then, I tried it.
And unfortunately, it was to die for.
So, I ate some for dessert after dinner.
But then, I found myself nibbling on it during the day.
I don’t eat a lot of sweets, but I do allow myself a piece of dark chocolate each day.
I foolishly thought Peppermint Bark met my criteria for dessert.
It was dark chocolate after all.
But who was I kidding? Only the bottom layer is dark chocolate.
The rest is straight up white chocolate and candy.
The truth is that sugar is NOT one of my trigger foods.
My trigger foods are in the bread and dairy products category. Especially melted cheese on bread products like pizza, quesadillas, grilled cheese, macaroni and cheese, etc.
Basically the diet of a five-year-old.
These foods are my Kryptonite.
These are the foods that bring my inner Superman (woman) to her knees. Once I start, I cannot stop.
When I am eating white flour and dairy products, I cannot recall why I ever gave them up.
My brain lights up like a Christmas tree.
I feel happy. Almost giddy.
I am pretty sure drugs and alcohol probably do the same thing… which probably should have been my first clue.
Usually after I indulge in my forbidden food groups, it takes a day or two to notice any real changes.
But then, my body starts to swell.
My weight starts to go up.
My cravings go through the roof.
My body starts to ache.
I get tired.
I am hungry all the time.
I suddenly need more comfort food--Bread, pasta, ice cream, potato chips, cookies, cakes, pie… because everything is now fair game.
Trigger foods.
We all have them.
It’s just a question of which one(s) ignite YOUR “on” switch.
For most people, it is sugar. Once they taste it, they cannot stop.
So why did the Kirkland Peppermint Bark take me down the rabbit hole?
Maybe it was the perfect balance of dark and white chocolate.
Maybe it was the dairy in the white chocolate.
Maybe it was the finely crumbled candy cane bits on top.
Maybe because it was both soft and a little crunchy.
Maybe because the pieces were jagged… making it acceptable to break off a small piece at a time. That way I could not really pay attention to how much I was a consuming.
All I know is that ever since that peppermint bark made its way into my pantry, I cannot stop thinking about it.
It’s dangerous stuff. You have been warned.
Meanwhile, I need to seriously detox before Thanksgiving rolls around and my real trigger foods show up to challenge me all over again. Can you say stuffing? What are your trigger foods?
