You know how I was talking about cliches the other day? I thought of another one I hate: “Eat to Live, Don’t Live to Eat.” Now we all know that’s true insofar as it goes. We all know that we need to eat properly in order to fuel our bodies for what our day/week/life is going to bring. But that cliche brings to mind someone sitting in a small dark room in a folding chair at a card table eating kibble–alone.
I’m sorry, but going out to eat with, or creating a good meal for, my friends, sitting around the table laughing, joking, and telling stories is a huge pleasure for me. I like to eat well. I like to eat good food with my friends, or alone for that matter. I don’t want to reduce the act of dinner to something I could replace with a nutritionally balanced meal replacement bar.
I don’t think the above is incompatible with losing weight or a healthy lifestyle, do you? I think it takes maybe a little more thought, a little more planning, and maybe a bit of sacrifice when you make menu choices.
Yet, I’ve been having trouble in this regard lately. I’ve been getting frustrated and feeling like nothing that I want to eat is what I should eat. I’ve been craving wings, I’ve been craving fried anything, cheese fries. You name it, if it’s hard to fit in with a 1690 calorie a day diet (which is what myfitness pal tells me is the magic number that, when combined with exercise, will allow me to lose a pound a week) that’s what I’ve been wanting. I’ll fill my fridge and pantry full of healthy choices and then look at them and go BLERGH. Oh, I know what you are thinking and it starts with an “m” and ends in “oderation.” But everything that I’m craving lately is a trigger food for me that only leads me down a path of more bad choices, more cravings, and well, “finishing the bag.”
Re: Finishing the bag, portion sizes are a big (heh, see what I did there?) thing for me. I like BIG portions. (I mean you had to figure that, you don’t get to be 230 pounds by eating your 3oz of fish) I like the look of big portions on my plate, and I like taking seconds. Yet, I don’t think that is completely incompatable with weight loss either. Emily over at Daily Garnish talks frequently about loving big portions and look at her adorable tiny cuteness!
I need to (re)tweak my mindset a bit. So I’m going to list the following food goals:
- I know I like the feeling of taking seconds, so I’ll start with a smaller 1st helping.
- I know I like big portions so I’ll try to have something each meal that I can have a lot of, but still maintain my calorie goals. (See roasted Brussels sprouts, or a crunchy salad)
- I need to try some of the gazillion recipes I’ve starred on Google Reader for healthy, yet sweet and delicious (or salty and savory), treats. (See these, or this)
I need to change up my healthy snack drawer at work. I’ve been restocking with the same pistachios, reduced fat peanut butter, and dried fruit strips for too long now and my tastebuds are bored. (And that box of Girl Scout Lemonades [150 cal for 2] is probably stale by now.)
I think trying to make even a few of the above changes will pull me out of this food frustration I’m in. I was making too much progress to get stuck in a plateau now.
What do you do when you get bored with your go-to foods? How often do you think it’s OK to give in to something you’ve been craving.
My food attention span is pretty much like a toddler. I like something then eat it every day until I am sick of it. Until about 2 weeks ago I was going through 3 containers of cherry tomatoes per week, and now they are off.
Variety is the spice of life for sure! This week my healthy treat of choice is honey greek yoghurt Either Trader Joes or the PC brand knockoff from Superstore, it tastes like ice cream.
For fried things, the broiler is the very best cheat! If you cut potatoes thin, and put them in a bowl with some melted coconut oil and garlic and salt, toss them around then broil, it is better than french fries!
Also zuchini plus sauce plus cheese plus broiler is like a crustless pizza!
Ooooh, I like the zucchini pizza idea. Especially since they should be coming from the garden in a few months!
As I was reading through your blog posts, I found myself nodding my head in agreement & muttering out loud. Especially the part about treating the weekend as a free for all – I can relate! I just wanted to tell you how awesome I think it is that you are writing about something that so much of us struggle with and the fact that you can do it with humor is a definite plus!
Ok, as for go to foods – I love love love whipped cream – its low in carbs and calories but it tastes so good! I mix it with strawberries and blueberries when I’m in need of something sweet. Also, I find if I grill chicken, cut up veggies and fruit and store them in containers in the frig I’m more likely to chose them over the other crap. Good luck & I will definitely be following along!!
Thank you very much for your kind words! I’m definitely going to have to try the low carb cheesecake on your blog as part of my goal to find some new sweet treats!
Low carb cheesecake has helped me through some pretty rough “:sweet fits”. I try to throw in some low carb & healthier versions of desserts when I come across them. Thanks for looking!
My “rule” with cravings is that I have to wait, but it has to be a period of time. I really only find this to be an issue when a) I’m working 14 hour days because at that point I can justify ANYTHING food-wise and b) when it’s 10pm and I’m feeling snacky. So first I need to decide if I’m hungry or bored. If I’m hungry, then I eat something in the same flavour profile, so sweet, I try to have a piece of fruit because that should satiate me. If I’m bored, then absolutely NO FOOD will sound good and I try to drink water or have a cup of tea instead – then I’ll read a book or play with my cats until the feeling passes.
With a big craving, I try to use it as a “reward”. For example, if I REALLY want a greasy hamburger, then I’ll make a deal with myself in that I’ll eat my homemade lunches Monday-Thursday and then I can have the treat for lunch on Friday (or I’ll eat a homemade lunch on Friday and have my treat for Friday dinner). I think that creates balance and moderation. If I gave into everything I’d be eating cupcakes everyday
Greeeeeeeeat, now I want cupcakes, too. ;O)
Sweet, now I don’t have to write a post on the frustrations of what to eat when you lead a social life. I’ll just link to this post. It’s everything that I would have said.
When I plan my weekly menu, I have a specific spot for a “sweet treat.” I have something sweet every day. However, when I have a sweet treat I’m very careful to stick to the recommended serving size. If this means eating 15 M&Ms (or whatever it is) then that’s what I’ll eat. If that means 1/2 cup of ice cream (when we all know fully well that a serving size is a 1/2 gallon) then I dish up 1/2 cup. If I don’t give myself that little something every day then I will eat all the things on the weekend! The way that I handle a serving size for my sweet treats is that I put it into a small bowl, put the container away, then walk into another room. If I leave the container out I will totally finish it.
Another technique I employ is brushing my teeth. Sounds weird, but I can’t eat anything once I’ve brushed my teeth so as soon as I have had my treat, I brush my teeth. The only thing that tastes good is water after that.
It all seems so simplistic, but I’m a simple person.
I’m afraid I didn’t give many solutions. But you know I’d love a link. :O) I just set up a subscribe and save order on Amazon to have Trident bubble gum delivered every month. I find gum keeps me occupied and I forget to snack.
Reblogged this on Inspiredweightloss.