Wednesday, July 16, 2008

I think it's time for A.A.....Altoids Anonymous


Anyone who truly knows me, knows I am obsessed with Altoids. I don't really like chocolate, candy or cookies...i crave peppermint or wintergreen altoids all day!

It all started when I was in the Fifth grade my teacher, Miss Kelpe always had a tin on her desk. I always thought it looked cool, but had never had one before. I used to talk too much in class so she would always make my desk an "island" and put me secluded by her desk. One day while she was reading The Chronicles of Narnia to the class, I spotted that cool looking altoid box on her desk...so I opened it and snuck one out. I think I ate about half the box...I was instantly hooked. By lunch I felt guilty and told my teacher what I did. I was a thief, I thought...she going to call my parents and I am going to jail...I'M TOO YOUNG TO DIE! After I told her she sent me to study hall and moved me away from her desk. The next day I was so nervous to face my teacher. To my surprise when I got to school, on my desk were two boxes of Altoids..wintergreen and peppermint.

Since that day of tasting my first Altoid, I haven't gone one day without one! No joke! I used to eat two boxes a day...but Bobby hated it and told me I had to cut down. So now he holds the boxes for me and I am only allowed one box a week, and three Altoids at a time. Sick ...I KNOW! Instead of drugs or alcohol my addiction is Altoids. The reason I am writing about this is because I ate two boxes today...and I feel guilty!!

12 Comments:

Blogger Caleen said...

Brooke, you are too funny!! Yea, I thought you gave up those things!!Ha
That is so funny because I was just thinking how hooked I am on my Cinnamon Bears.. You've been busted!!
oh well, at least you have the best breath around.. :) Parker rocks!!
Playing dress-up.. how do they learn?

July 16, 2008 at 5:24 PM  
Blogger Lauren Green said...

Haha!!! I remember driving up to Girl's Camp one year (or maybe we were driving back, I don't know), and you shoved an entire box full in your mouth!! Haha!! Good times =)

July 17, 2008 at 7:48 AM  
Blogger Ashley said...

haha.. EVERY TIME i see those things i think of you... I remember in high school you eating them like a mad woman!

July 21, 2008 at 10:07 AM  
Blogger kelly said...

I love them too! I also like the black licorice and the ginger. Ben ate half a box at Peyton's picture appt. this morning, peppermint. It's funny, I got those thinking that the kids wouldn't bug me for them because they are so strong, I was wrong. The cinnamon flavored ward them off the best, but even then they'll still have at least 2 or 3. Someone told me about your addiction the other day, I don't remember who it was though.

July 21, 2008 at 2:00 PM  
Blogger Alicia and Tom said...

Hi, sorry, you don't know me, but I just realized I had a health problem regarding Altoids, and have been googling other "Altoid Addicts" to share what I wish I had known sooner...


I was addicted to Altoids for the last 2 years or so. 2-3 packs a day (more if I was stressed). My Altoid of choice was the peppermint Smalls (no sugar). And yes, it was the crunch. I found that different stores had older or newer supplies, and so where I bought the Altoids made a difference in the crunch. I would buy boxes at a time when they went on sale. When travelling in Europe, I switched to Smints, but they weren't as good. My friends thought I was crazy.

About a year ago I was denied the opportunity to give blood because my iron levels were low. I ate more red meat, spinach, lentils, etc. Apparently it wasn't enough, as I kept getting denied. I wasn't quite anemic, but nearly.

Four months ago I started taking iron-rich vitamins, and the cravings tapered off. I was eating 2-3 packs a WEEK instead. Still couldn't give blood. Started taking an iron supplement.

I have had no cravings for Altoids whatsoever since then, and have only recently figured it out. (I also got married a month ago and so wondered if it was the stress or change in life that did it.) Altoids don't taste nearly as good to me now as they did then. I only use them for breath freshening now, which doesn't create the craving to binge (like alcohol or chocolate addiction might if consume just a little).

I would say if you are addicted to Altoids, start taking iron supplements right away and watch what happens over a month or so. Of course you should consult with your doctor. But I think it's a good chance this is a form of pica, which it was for me.

Additionally, I take Prilosec every day for chronic acid reflux. Continued use of Prilosec (omeprazole) has been linked to iron loss.

October 17, 2008 at 3:59 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

I'm guilty of eating 2-3 tins of the peppermint Altoids with the occasional wintergreen. For me it's the crunch and the mint which I finds opens up my sinuses (better then vicks). I find it very interesting that one commenter said he was anemic, as I have a pretty serious case of anemia (doesn't effect me too much just baffles my doctors). Sam's club has 6 packs for 7 something and walmart carries singles for 1.50.

December 4, 2009 at 11:22 AM  
Blogger Kendra Allegra said...

Came across your blog when doing a google search for "A.A." Altoid addiction. I am sooo hooked. Just read a page on some forum and all of the people who have Altoid Addiction are Anaemic. (Low Iron). I have always had Low Iron. Altoids are like crack. Who New?!

October 13, 2010 at 11:03 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

I could down a box of altoids or gum or any mint in 15 min. It's a serious problem and my mom never let's me have mints anymore

October 2, 2013 at 1:02 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

I am completely addicted.. I eat them by the handfuls. My favorite is spearmint, second peppermint, and third cinnamon which I could eat a tin at a time. I eat almost 6 a day.. Tins that is. I'm General manager of a store so I buy them at cost. I order 2 cases a week so 24 tins a week. I'm eating one now.lol I admit the hold they have on me. I'm not sure it's iron, I can't agree with the crunch theroy. But I sure do love them.

August 2, 2016 at 7:40 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

I became a bit addicted to the cinnamon Altoids over a year ago, a friend of mine who I used to carpool with would constantly have a tin of them with him, in his car, his backpack, and nearly every room of his house. I never asked why or mentioned it, I just kinda assumed everyone in his family liked cinnamon Altoids. But after having one and realizing I liked them I got a tin from Stop & Shop and now whenever I have cash I have to get as many tins as I can because I know for a fact that they won't last me for long. Looking back now, I think someone in my friend's family had the same love for them as me and just made it a thing for the rest of the family.

March 15, 2018 at 3:47 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

I only get the addiction when im pregnant. Im on my seventh child now and I'm just add hooked as all the other times. I eat about 2 packs a day and when i don't have them ill settle for toothpaste but it doesn't satisfy me. WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME?

July 31, 2018 at 5:00 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

I am also a member of AA the altoid addiction. I eat about 8 to 12 tins per day. I have broken my tooth enamel on both sides of my mouth and yet I still cant stop eating them.I am also anemic but the crunch and chalk texture soothe me whenever I eat them. Can someone help me? I wanna stop but I crave them so bad whenever I am stressed that I just have to go get more.

June 19, 2019 at 8:38 PM  

Post a Comment

Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]

<< Home