Logistics of Restraint

I don’t want less food. I want healthier food that doesn’t spike my blood sugar or leave me feeling awful afterward. I want food that tastes good and makes me feel good. There are four knobs (STEAM): Stimulation Access Endlessness Anticipation A Costco-sized pack of shelf-stable sweets sitting within arm’s reach of my workstation maxes out every knob. Work stress, boredom, or hunger creates the urge for a break for a little self-soothing. Having the sweets within arm’s reach makes them effortless to access. A family-sized box feels almost endless to a family of one. There is no natural stopping point. And with each bite, you anticipate the next one. I can’t skip dinner with my friends just because I had a big breakfast. But I can order the salad instead of the lasagna. Restriction attacks quantity; environment design attacks the mechanics that produce overconsumption. I don’t want less social media. I want to consume the good parts: reconnecting with old friends, staying in touch with…