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I Grew Up Poor

I grew up dirt poor and my family often didnt have food in the house. We kids learned to eat any time we had the opportunity, because we didn't know when there would be a next meal. And we always cleaned our plates.

As an adult, I realized that that feeling of food insecurity has not really left me. I always keep backup ingredients to make "struggle meals" (pb sandwiches, rice and beans, etc) in case I can't buy fresh foods for some reason. And if I'm in a situation where I can't eat when I'm hungry, I literally start to panic and crumble apart with fear.

It's not that I think I will starve to death if I miss a meal- it's the FEELING of being hungry that I get anxiety about. The headache, the dizziness, the pain in the stomach, the shakiness, the loss of control (from not having access to food when I need it). 😞

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MyPathOfTotality · 46-50, M

I know the feeling. I grew up dirt poor and was an only child raised by mother trying to make it on disability. Dad passed away when I was 6 years old. We would pick up beer cans just eat one meal a day and many days we had nothing to eat. The stitch of beer cans and crawling in dumpsters to look for cans on a hot summer's day was nauseating. This is why I don't drink till this very day.

Oster1 · M

This is very common in people who grew up in poverty. No child should ever have to struggle thru that.

Paully · 56-60, M

I know your pain, as a child and into my teen years often the only food available was from dumpster diving. Still haunts me today

Mrsbetweenfatandfit · 26-30, F

I understand this feeling. Both I and my husband struggled in childhood with food and shelter being regularly available. There’s really no forgetting that experience. I think it’s just something we try to process & manage the best we are able to. ❤️

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