A Story of Recovery:

The Almighty Apple


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!

 

This story was originally published in the Connection Magazine. Subscribe to the Connection Magazine for more stories of recovery. Or submit your own story of recovery.