We all know it is important to eat healthy to live longer and to ward off chronic disease, but sometimes this can be tough. There are so many delicious foods out there, habits we have developed and traditions that we hold dear that it's really impossible to give up these foods completely.
And you don't have to.
Eating 'perfect' is not the answer. I think that's why a lot of people hesitate to come into my office. They are afraid they will have to give up all their favorite things in the name of their health. But many of those foods ARE a part of your health. Your mental health. So rather than thinking "What do I have to give up?" think:
"How much of these foods (that are not helping me) can I give up but still be happy?"
Almost any food can be part of a healthy diet if it's eaten within reason. This is often the problem though. People stop being reasonable with their foods. They eat too quickly so they don't really enjoy it or they eat it while distracted by something like the television so they are not even aware how much they are having. We buy 'personal' sized packages of products trusting the companies that make them to provide the foods in reasonable portions when the reality is these bottles, cups and bars have been gradually bloating over the years until what was once a large is now a small.
So what really makes sense is:
Therefore we end up eating more of these foods to enjoy them.
It makes it sound grim but it doesn't have to be. We certainly can't change the goals of large food companies but we can change our own habits. The first step is becoming aware of your food again:
"Am I really enjoying what I am eating or am I just eating it because it's there?"
"Am I really hungry?"
"Did I eat that too quickly? Did I savor that treat?"
"Which of the foods on this table do I really want?"
"How much of these foods (that are not helping me) can I give up but still be happy?"
There is nothing wrong with enjoying food. In fact I think it is meant to be enjoyed and savored. But we need to make sure that we really are savoring the food rather than mindlessly eating it. Eat healthy but keep happy. There is a happy medium for everyone.
If you want further proof that food is meant to be enjoyed, look at the video below and try not to salivate at these clips of favorite food sensations. While it's important to eat well for your health, it's also important to savor those wonderful treats in our lives.
Happy Friday!
And you don't have to.
Eating 'perfect' is not the answer. I think that's why a lot of people hesitate to come into my office. They are afraid they will have to give up all their favorite things in the name of their health. But many of those foods ARE a part of your health. Your mental health. So rather than thinking "What do I have to give up?" think:
"How much of these foods (that are not helping me) can I give up but still be happy?"
Almost any food can be part of a healthy diet if it's eaten within reason. This is often the problem though. People stop being reasonable with their foods. They eat too quickly so they don't really enjoy it or they eat it while distracted by something like the television so they are not even aware how much they are having. We buy 'personal' sized packages of products trusting the companies that make them to provide the foods in reasonable portions when the reality is these bottles, cups and bars have been gradually bloating over the years until what was once a large is now a small.
So what really makes sense is:
- Food keeps us alive.
- Our brain is hard wired to enjoy food because it keeps us alive.
- Companies are finding ways to make foods EXTRA delicious even if that means more fat, sugar and calories than we need.
- Many of us our eating while distracted so we don't experience the full joy of these food
Therefore we end up eating more of these foods to enjoy them.
It makes it sound grim but it doesn't have to be. We certainly can't change the goals of large food companies but we can change our own habits. The first step is becoming aware of your food again:
"Am I really enjoying what I am eating or am I just eating it because it's there?"
"Am I really hungry?"
"Did I eat that too quickly? Did I savor that treat?"
"Which of the foods on this table do I really want?"
"How much of these foods (that are not helping me) can I give up but still be happy?"
There is nothing wrong with enjoying food. In fact I think it is meant to be enjoyed and savored. But we need to make sure that we really are savoring the food rather than mindlessly eating it. Eat healthy but keep happy. There is a happy medium for everyone.
If you want further proof that food is meant to be enjoyed, look at the video below and try not to salivate at these clips of favorite food sensations. While it's important to eat well for your health, it's also important to savor those wonderful treats in our lives.
Happy Friday!
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