Living with Cheese Addiction

Knowing you have a problem is the first step towards living with cheese addiction. If you have come this far then you probably already suspect that you are a cheese addict, or you are seeking help for a close friend of relative. Raising awareness of Cheese Addiction will remove the stigma, allowing those affected to buy larger fridges and more variety of product with which to fill them. This positive feedback can lead to increased cheese levels both in those enjoying dairy and those who live with and care about them.

The Tell-tale Signs of Cheese Addiction A fridge door full of suspicious packages wrapped in greaseproof should be a warning sign. This often means the addict has recently seen his or her cheese-monger for a fix. “So called” cheese and wine nights. Gathering with friends to take cheese sounds like fun. Washing this down with a good red is classic behaviour that denotes an addict. Grapes, celery, figs and chutney are all signs of addiction.

Using Cheese Safely

Being as cheese is delicious and lovely, it makes sense to learn how to handle this substance to make sure you are getting a quality product and using it correctly. Recently the market has been flooded with inferior product that can lead to a disappointing cheese experience.

Don’t share cheese knives. It sounds obvious, but when confronted with a great board of cheese it’s easy to get carried away and use the first knife available. Think! Was someone else about to use it to butter a cracker? Can you be sure that it will still be there when you need another hit in a few minutes? These simple questions can save you an extra trip to the kitchen. Remember: Keep it on your plate for round two.

Keep crackers handy.You never know when you will need a fix, so crackers can be a lifeline in difficult social situations where you feel awkward eating cheese directly out of the fridge. Resting it on a water biscuit or oatcake can make all the difference, but remember to stay hydrated, and ask a friend to check on you if you are alone in the kitchen to make sure you are at least closing the fridge door occasionally.

Never be tempted by a Quick Fix Individually wrapped squares, aerosols and squeezy tubes may look like a convenient and simple way to eat cheese, but don’t be fooled. If you are offered any of these items say a polite but firm “no” and then hold your breath and refuse any further attempts at conversation until someone relents and goes off to find actual cheese.

Coping strategies Take two slices of bread, a medium hard cheese and a slice of good quality ham. Butter the bread on the outside, fill and toast until melted. When taking cheese, remember that hard cheeses can be grated over pasta. Soft cheeses can be sliced onto a risotto. Any savoury dish can be a vehicle for cheese, if you get creative. If you are concerned for a friend, a good selection of cheeses, including a decent blue, forms a great part of the healing process. Withdrawal is usually only recommended if you find yourself unexpectedly dairy intolerant. Stay strong, we will finish what you started.

Living with Cheese Addiction doesn’t have to be hard, as there are many soft and even spreadable alternatives. Find a strategy that works for you and stick with it, remembering to melt thoroughly and always believing that there is a better cheese out there. You will find it one day.