There are some foods I just can’t keep in my apartment. I buy them and quickly I eat them, not always in moderation. I have struggled to eat certain foods with portion control since I first lost the weight I gained Freshmen year of college. There are two theories when it comes to this problem among health professionals…
1. Everything in moderation. If you don’t allow yourself to have it, you will crave it and end up binging anyway.
or
2. Out of sight. Out of mind. If you can’t have just one bite, don’t have any at all! Easier said than done though, right?
Some of my favorite foods to eat mindlessly were dried fruit, cereal, granola, nut butters and nuts. All of these things are essentially “healthy” in the minds of most health conscious eaters but are loaded with sugar and or fat not to mention calories if over consumed. When I successfully am able to lose weight (I yoyo between a 10 lb. range for those new to my blog, depending on the season and my work commitments), I ban the foods from my diet. When I start to reintroduce them with the “moderation” mindset, I start off great but eventually fall back on my old habits.
I keep certain nuts, almond butter, and raisins for snacks and recipes in the house but you won’t find granola or crunchy cold cereal boxes on my shopping list. I will eat them once in a while but not from my own cupboards. I do love oatmeal and muesli though so I don’t miss either one. Both are clean alternatives to cereal and granola that can be added to yogurt if you like that sort of thing or almond milk of course. MixMyOwn is an online retailer that allows you to make your own mix of muesli. You can make your own granola or cereal too, if you have self control around the stuff. Get 10% off your order with code HEALTHYBREAKFAST.
I added pistachios, cashews, goji berries, cacao bits, quinoa puffs and my new favorite mulberries to my complementary bag. There were more goodies inside the bag, but of course I ate some of them before taking this picture, reminding me that I still have to be careful even with oats! I love being able to create my own superfood mix without having to buy the ingredients in bulk which clearly I would eat separately and mindlessly.
I did a 1 day cleanse from The Ripe Stuff Tuesday because down in New Orleans, I had a little too much fun with the food and booze on Bourbon Street. I think I like cleanses because every “meal” is portioned out. Give me my portions and I will stick to them! I know I had a lot of energy aka calories stored from the weekend because it was the easiest one day cleanse I’ve ever done.
I taught at 8:20 am at Barry’s and took a modified class after mine. I did my own thing on the treadmill and used mostly bodyweight for the strength training. I didn’t “cheat” once until after my final juice and I had a few cashews. I also love cleanses because it helps me remember that I don’t NEED to be eating all the time. I also enjoy how I feel when I do eat less – more energy and concentration!
I am an all or nothing person. When I was taking classes with the Institute of Integrative Nutrition we learned a lot about mindful eating and why we “binge.” However, even though I know the tips and tricks, it is still challenging. The key is to notice the difference between hunger and emotions, and choosing the correct food to consume. Sometimes the cure is just an extra hug or person to talk to at night.
The answer is not as simple as, “Put down the fork” or “Paint your nails.” Many of you probably know these tips too but still struggle. Fewer, like me, probably know the cause of your overeating but you can’t seem to get it under control. Unfortunately, we don’t all have a Jillian or Bob to yell at us and then bring us to tears with a cathartic moment.
Here is what works for me:
1. Ban the foods you overeat from your home. You’ll be less likely to binge on something in public so allow yourself the cupcake at the networking event. Food tastes better when it’s enjoyed with other people. Remember that!
2. We all make mistakes. You’re going to make another soon. Forgive yourself. Sometimes the best therapy is a little chocolate. If you’re OK with a little extra exercise or less snacking tomorrow, consider it a cheap therapist.
3. Figure out your shit. Is there something you need to get off your chest? Maybe it’s a relationship, family/boyfriend/girlfriend that is going through a rough patch that has you turning to food. Instead of ignoring it, jot down your feelings and figure out a way to resolve them. If there is no solution, you’re not going to stop! It may be a life changing decision but if it is a hard one, chance are good that you’ll be happy with both options! For example, if you are depressed about not having someone for Valentine’s day, what are you doing to proactively meet someone that’s a good match? Sign up for an online dating site or start making plans with your single friends to visit bars that attract the guys you like.
Keeping busy, meeting friends for lunch or gym class, planning out my meals and not working from my kitchen counter top are also tips that have helped me fight the urge. If this post resonated with you, I’d love to hear your thoughts below. What are your trigger foods and are you a moderation or ban it kind of person?
