It was the day after my latest “first share”–that share after 90 days of back-to-back abstinence. I was in the grocery story buying food for the next day’s meals. I was stressed, I was in a rush, and I was determined to buy the perfect apple. 

The fruit specialist in this fancy grocery store offered to help by cutting a slice and offering it to me. A few thoughts immediately fired in rapid succession. Oh no! No need to waste a good apple and then How nice of him to do this for me followed by Oooohh, a taste test!

I said, “Okay!” and proceeded to eat the slice. It was perfect. Then he offered another slice which I proceeded to eat. I thanked him, bagged my apples, went to the dairy section, selected my items, went to the check-out line, and then gasped when I realized what I had done. 

I decided to share this story, having again reached 90 days of back-to-back abstinence, because now I understand food addiction a little bit better. I am allergic to sugar and flour, and I am also allergic to under eating as well as overeating. But thanks to this most recent humbling lesson, I now understand that I am allergic to eating at wrong times of the day. Therefore, I must stay alert. Stay vigilant. Always.

Food addiction is serious, conniving, and humbling. But, at least I’m not the only good woman who has been taken down by an apple!