Compulsive hoarding of food is defined here. Tips on how to get rid of food clutter will help you organize your kitchen space and refrigerators, too.
In these belt-tightening times, we all want to save whatever we can and are always on the look-out for bargains. For some people, this can get out of hand, and result in what is called compulsive hoarding.
We have a budget and should to stick to it. But does that mean that we have to sacrifice the quality of the meals we have just to stretch that cent or dollar? Buying that food item that's going on sale, or overstocking our kitchen cabinets, closets and what available storage space we have at home is known as compulsive hoarding of food. It happens when we buy food in such amounts that it takes over all the storage and other space at home.
What causes compulsive hoarding of food?
Experts consider hoarding as a response to fear. Fear of not having enough food, or of having any food at all, especially during a person's early years, is considered a possible cause for this disorder. So, if times are tough, when you plan your budget, try not to put food at the bottom of the list.
For persons with this tendency, discarding food causes severe anxiety. This prevents them from throwing food that has spoiled. In the end, it results in food clutter in the home, eventually taking over every available space there is in it.
What do you do if you think you're hoarding food?
Buy only what you need. To avoid cluttering your home with food, buy only what you need. This will take some creative planning on your part. You will need to estimate how much is consumed by each person in your household, what foods are in season and what are not, the number of trips you regularly make to the supermarket or grocery store and the shelf life of the food you buy.
Be practical. If your refrigerator or kitchen pantry seems to be generating certain odors, it's probably coming from rotten food or expired food. Do not be afraid to discard them in order to avoid health issues associated with keeping rotten food around such as attracting pests and accidentally eating spoiled food.
Get organized. Do a regular check of the food stored in your refrigerator, kitchen cabinets and pantry, like a weekly or monthly sweep of the items. When you do this, keep a wastebasket next to you, so that anything that has expired is moldy or setting off some unpleasant smells can be thrown into the garbage bin immediately.
Often, the person with food hoarding tendencies is not aware that he has it. A loved one or a frustrated landlord is usually the one who will point out the compulsive behavior or hoarding syndrome. If that happens, listen to what they are saying. Take a look around your home. If you feel that there may be some basis for what they are saying, don't be afraid to ask for help.
