TV adverts

[Penny]

Hi guys I need your advice, Iam struggling with the food ads on telly, of course the easy answer is not to watch them, but I tried switching the telly off each time they came on, but that meant I missed some of the programme I was watching, I tried putting the telly on mute, but the pictures had the same effect of driving me mad, Iam in a world of pain , so its hard for me to get up everytime they come on, and in time I will need to come to terms with these, Help.

I know its a silly thing, and it isnt the end of the world, but its frustrating

[Lyn Scott]

I totally agree that can drive ya crazy - it's amazing how many they show on the TV !! Like Vegan For Life said green smoothies help a TON !!! have one near you maybe, or maybe make some raw deserts and snacks that you can turn if a food craving from an ad tempts you - then at least you can be guilt free,or better don't watch the tv - we turned our tv off about 2 months ago and we don't miss it much - I watch shows on my computer (no ads that way !!) well at least no food ads anyway lol...plus no cable bill anymore WHOO HOO !! search online for your local channels and see if they offer shows you can watch at the website..Check your local library for dvds you can rent or barrow for cheaper than the video rental stores ..there are SEVERAL great ideas mentioned on here ....maybe look into a DVR so you can record shows and fast fwd the commercials...Here is anew one .....keep a journal near you when watching the TV when you see those commercials write down all the things your thankful for that day,then re read them and write affirmations for yourself etc -- fill that commercial time with positive reinforcements for yourself !!!

[Glenda Harris]

Penny, I go through the same thing too.

When that happens, I  ususally keep an IKEA( household items) catalog on the sofa, so I mute the tv and leaf through the book and I glance up when I think the commercial is over.

I tell you the picture of the things in that catalog take my mind completely off food for awhile....lol

[Marsha D.]

I understand. I pulled cable years ago.....too many informercials. I watch DVDs and  tv shows on my computer. You can set a timer and use the rebounder in the next  room while the commercial is on. Just a thought

[George Henry]

I think mindset is the biggest factor.

I live near a group of restaurants (Vietnamese, Thai, Japanese, Mexican and American) and can smell their cooking when I pick up my mail in the evenings. It is more the smell of food (dishes I used to salivate over) that gets me going than the appearance - although that can be appealing, too. But when I smell the odors or see the photos and videos, I remind myself that I have this vast and wonderful world of raw - fresh! beautiful! delicious! healthful! - food to explore and to take care of ALL of my food-related needs; so I don't need that other food, and "on second thought," I don't want it at all either. I figure that if I keep thinking this way, soon "second thought" will be "first thought."

When I decided to start eating 90+% raw (and my rare non-raw eating is of very simple recipes including only unprocessed, whole foods), a dear friend said, "I could never stick to such a restrictive dietary regimen" - to which I replied that I don't see it as restrictive, except in that it restricts me from harming myself. To the contrary, I'm thrilled that a whole new world of wonderful ways to prepare food has opened up for me to explore, not to mention the health benefits of eating raw food.
I think too that our responses can be based on conditioning and/or physical or psychological addiction. I have been as successful as I have been thus far at changing my diet by, first, "easing into it" via several years of eating ever-diminishing amounts of animal products, and then when I (rather suddenly) decided to make the "big" change, I juice-fasted / -feasted for almost 40 days and, on resuming eating solids foods, made sure that they were all uncooked. Yeah, I bought some kitchen equipment (high-speed blender and dehydrator) too, which helped make the transition easier.

I've also made raw food books a "steady diet" in terms of what I feed my mind, which helps to keep my enthusiasm for this way of eating strong; and I'm fortunate to live near a city (Seattle) having a couple of restaurants that feature wonderful menus of raw food, and a sizable population of supportive raw foodists. But wherever we live and whether family, friends and the community are supportive or not, we do have this Website, and all of the people here who have overlapping or similar interests and goals, to support us.

[Jason Littlewolf]

Dont watch the TV..do it on line re programes without ads....we can d that in the UK...you can then also be more selective and have more time for other things.

[Debbie V]

For many reasons, my family stopped watching commercial tv and canceled cable many yrs ago.  We rarely turn the tv on anymore, but will sometimes watch a movie from netflix or on a dvd borrowed from the library. Could also watch tv shows through hulu/similar. The less commercials in our lives, the better, I believe, and not just because of the food temptations.

[Vegan♥for♥Life]

Green Smoothies REALLY HELP WITH CRAVINGS. Let me repeat. GREEN SMOOTHIES REALLY HELP WITH CRAVINGS. Seriously. I'm not talking just drinking one and thinking the cravings will be gone. Give it a couple weeks to a month and pretty soon you will be craving GREEN SMOOTHIES!!!!

[Mary Ann]

If you have a laptop, log on to RFR during the awful food commercials!!! Or, read a good raw food book :)  - it will distract you from the TV.

[lisa hudson]

Tell yourself the truth !  They are just trying to sell you something that isn't so good for you and they don't even give a rats butt about your health. lol   You are the one with the power !!!

[Stacy O]

Figure out some kind of game you can play that takes your focus off of the food.  Like count how many times something appears in the commercial or how many times a word is used in the commercial.  Like if you count every time "the" is said you'll be thinking about counting not food.  Good luck!