To have or not to have the Doughnut! William Shakespeare

Sometimes a doughnut at midnight happens... I say bon appétit! 

Eating on the clean side is something I strive for. I feel so much better when I choose less processed food and load up on fruit and vegetables. It also keeps me fitting into my jeans. 

Yes, I am slightly vain but since this is content on MY website, I choose to admit to this.

A very important observation I made long ago is that when I feel deprived of food, it often coincides with feelings of resentfulness.  

To counter the negativity, I conciously remind myself that I have the power here. I get to decide when I want to eat in a way that works best for me, physically and emotionally. It also means that when I want to participate in “generally controlled indulgence”, I get to make the decision on that too. 

It is simply striking a balance in my choices. 

Sometimes I feel great from clean eating. Sometimes I feel kinda crappy from being too lenient with processed foods. But I really wanted and enjoyed that doughnut or ice cream or big, soft, salty pretzel. Or the entire order of fries. Or an extra slice of pizza. But I get to make the call, coming from a place of knowledge.

Isn’t life sort of like this too? Mostly we tend to our commitments like work and family during the week. And then the weekend comes and we get a bit of a breather (ideally) from the routine. Or we get to take a vacation. 

I like to think of food choices this same way. 

Usually I’m doing the work. And sometimes, I want a break. If ice cream with friends is on the agenda and I want ice cream, I get it. If I’m with my family at a farmer’s market and apple pie in a bag (yes) is the house specialty…I may get my own. Maybe splitting with someone or taking a few bites of my husband’s is enough. And, should my husband decide on Saturday at midnight that he wants to drop in on our local 24 hour doughnut place (it exists) and I feel like a glazed vanilla, I’m going for it.

Or, I might pass. I get to choose. 

Feeling like I get to make my food choices works really well for me in making sure I’m getting much more of the healthy stuff than not. Keeping lots of fruit and vegetable options in the house is critical. And if it’s a busier week than normal and getting to the grocery store didn’t happen, I’m ok. I keep a supply of frozen at home. It is as healthy and satisfying as fresh. 

I encourage you to pay attention to what healthy eating strategies work best for you. And what is going on in your brain when you decide to make choices that would constitute good health (and then the converse)? What can you do to initiate or maintain a balance that feels “right” and sustainable to keep you in good health? Take some time to consider answers to these questions to come up with your own personal strategies for balance.

I am always here if you need some help — Book a Discovery Call with me (doughnuts not included).