I am really loving the insights from the site Psychology of Eating, in particular this article about Mind over Food.
I used to think, if I tell myself certain food is bad for me, I'll eat less, but the negative message my brain is telling my body, the stress it's putting my body through if I choose to have the treat, isn't worth it. Especially since that tactic is only about 50% successful from keeping me from eating in the first place.
Why have I even deemed certain food 'bad'? I've said that even about fruit because I was trying to train myself that snacking after a certain time was bad. I guess my tactic was to restrict timing rather than food, with a slight focus on quantity (but not as much as I could have). I've never been ok with eliminating a food entirely from my diet (other than processed 'food') as a way to quit my addiction to food. My addiction is eating, not a certain type of food. I eat very healthy in my opinion, even my regular snacks are healthier, nuts as opposed to chips, fruit dipped in chocolate instead of ice cream. I wouldn't eliminate it but I still called it 'bad' if it was outside my rules for timing.
I have been reading 'Reshaping It All' by Candace Cameron Bure and she quotes the scripture, 1 Timothy 4:4, "For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving." That's exactly the place I want to be in. I want to be thankful for everything God has given me the pleasure of eating, and eat it from a place of thankfulness because it IS good. I do need to work on my frequency and quantity, but I so appreciate this truth that there is nothing I need to reject, there is no 'bad' food.
Yes, yes and yes!
ReplyDeleteI have been saying for years that there is no junk food and you should see the looks people give me.
I would amend that slightly as there are some things that are actually not food, like pop. However, I would still argue that there's room for pop in a healthy balanced diet. Ditto for many other foods that really have no redeeming qualities (like margarine, cool whip, cheez whiz etc)
I love that I found that website and have found that some of the things I instinctively know being validated by this online community. Also thrilled to share it with someone who is so excited about a new way to look at food and eating as well.