I used to find it hard not to consume ice cream and chips no matter how much willpower I conjured up, actually impossible. I’d give in, open the freezer or cupboard, start putting it in my mouth, and inevitably consume more than I meant to.

Now that I haven’t bought any in years, I hear with clarity the excuses in others that I used to say to myself. A friend remarked how she knew when she bought the stuff that she’d put it in her mouth, but somehow while shopping told herself that she would only consume it rarely.

I played that trick: when I bought it, I’d say I’m not really consuming it now. I’ll just not consume it for a while. Then when I consumed it I’d so I can’t help it, but I’ll hold off on buying it later.

Conclusion 1: When you buy it is when you consume it.

You don’t have to buy doof. When you buy it is when you consume it. If it’s not in your home, you won’t be able to access it in your home. If you don’t go to supermarkets instead of local produce markets (which shopping at supermarkets destroy), or at least down the supermarket aisles, you won’t buy doof.

Conclusion 1: Avoid buying it. You’ll find alternatives, like fruits and vegetables

Not buying it is easier and cheaper than buying it and trying to resist. It also liberates you mentally from the legitimizing myths that violating your values causes to dominate your thoughts. That mental freedom alone is worth more than any fleeting jolt of reward, which isn’t even a benefit but a control.

If you’re worried you won’t find anything to snack on, load up on fruits, vegetables, and nuts. Even if you’ve saturated your taste buds so that they taste bland, your taste buds will recover. Within a month or two, the fruits, vegetables, and nuts will taste more flavorful than doof. You may have to consume more of them to satisfy yourself, but you’ll still consume fewer calories.

It wasn’t long before I found how to make snacks fast and combine things so they tasted far better than I could have expected. For example, I like apples and I like peanut butter, but I like apple slices with peanut butter on them way more than either alone. You can keep finding new combinations for your entire life.

The reverse pattern with fruits and vegetables

Since fruits and vegetables can spoil the pattern happens in reverse for them. I used to tell myself when buying them in the store that this time I’d definitely eat them. Then I’d put them in a refrigerator drawer, order takeout, and when they wilted or spoiled, I’d throw them out, or maybe compost them so I’d feel good about buying them and disposing of them, but eat only a fraction.

With produce: When you eat them is when it counts, not when you buy them. Might as well stuff your face with fruits and vegetables as soon as you get home from buying it.