Sometimes we come to a point in life where we feel we should cut back on something that's not healthy - sugar, salt, caffeine, alcohol. And in cases where we don't cut it out completely, it's tough to figure out how to keep those limits comfortably. This is not addressing situations where we're compelled to give something up entirely. That's a different kind of challenge, but at least the boundaries are less fluid.
Anyway, one way to cut back on (say, sugar) is to choose an occasion (or set of occasions) where you will partake, and strive to make it particularly special and enjoyable. Then, keep a focus on anticipation and gratitude for the time you are looking forward to.
For example: a random cookie offered to you at work, which, in the big picture, you'd rather not eat. To distract from feelings of deprivation, you might instead anticipate a time of baking home-made cookies with kids. It requires a sense of appreciation for what's really wonderful about that future moment, vs. what is more of a stand-in (at best?) at the present moment.
Spending time with children, quality ingredients, the taste of a cookie fresh out of the oven, passing on cultural traditions (like with Christmas cookies), a chance to be creative/adventurous (trying a new recipe), a chance to connect with friends and neighbors (offering the cookies as a gift). These are all genuinely good things that are deeply interconnected with the enjoyment of food. And in this statement, I want to emphasize that there's nothing at all wrong with enjoying food this way. That, in fact, it is very right. It's right even if it's not 100% "good" for you.
The next challenge is to provide your full time and attention to the experience of your "special occasion" food. Obviously, guilt has no place in this.
Finally, it helps to look back on the occasion and remember it well, with as purely positive emotions as you can muster. I talked before about the ways that past memories can foster appreciation and counter feelings of deprivation. So thinking ahead to what your past memories will be can help.
None of this is any kind of "final answer", or easy and obvious. However, any small steps that help to avoid mindless, "empty" eating and increase our joy and overall health are worthwhile.
Thursday, October 6, 2016
Saturday, October 1, 2016
I'm somebody who "likes to eat"
Recently in the news, a woman was criticized because "[she is] somebody who likes to eat".
I like to eat. I also like to drink, and breathe. I am grateful to the earth for giving me food, water, and air. I relish what the world gives me out of a sense of appreciation. It may mean we have to admit we are vulnerable, because we can't survive without these gifts.
It is a good thing to "like to eat" because eating is a good thing. All different types of food are wonderful blessings. Even "junk" foods. They should be treated as such.
There's no question that fear is a huge part of this. Fear can play a role when we eat too much (i.e. thinking there's "not enough"), but it also plays a role in the guilt/worry about over-eating. I myself am not immune from this fear - that lack of control, feeling like I could lose status simply because I can't stop myself from eating something delicious, or worse, that my body might betray me in some way.
This article speaks very well to the messed-up way we think about these things:
http://everydayfeminism.com/2016/09/parents-taught-disordered-eating/
It's extremely hard to break away from these messages, even as one consciously acknowledges the wrongness of them.
What's "healthy" for your body is what helps you to move and be open and experience the world, to the extent that your ability allows. Climbing rocks, visiting new cities, meeting people, dancing. Food helps with this, and eating food is a wonderful experience in itself.
We should all strive to be people who like to eat!
I like to eat. I also like to drink, and breathe. I am grateful to the earth for giving me food, water, and air. I relish what the world gives me out of a sense of appreciation. It may mean we have to admit we are vulnerable, because we can't survive without these gifts.
It is a good thing to "like to eat" because eating is a good thing. All different types of food are wonderful blessings. Even "junk" foods. They should be treated as such.
There's no question that fear is a huge part of this. Fear can play a role when we eat too much (i.e. thinking there's "not enough"), but it also plays a role in the guilt/worry about over-eating. I myself am not immune from this fear - that lack of control, feeling like I could lose status simply because I can't stop myself from eating something delicious, or worse, that my body might betray me in some way.
This article speaks very well to the messed-up way we think about these things:
http://everydayfeminism.com/2016/09/parents-taught-disordered-eating/
It's extremely hard to break away from these messages, even as one consciously acknowledges the wrongness of them.
What's "healthy" for your body is what helps you to move and be open and experience the world, to the extent that your ability allows. Climbing rocks, visiting new cities, meeting people, dancing. Food helps with this, and eating food is a wonderful experience in itself.
We should all strive to be people who like to eat!
Gratitude for Wawa
Wawa is a convenience store that's fairly local to our area. I love Wawa for many reasons. But one of them is that they have such a nice variety of food. Specifically, I really enjoy the snack packs they make - e.g. little pinwheel sandwiches, fruit cups, hard-boiled eggs. It's nice to have the option of something reasonably healthy without having to commit to a huge sandwich. I get the sense that they put a lot of care into knowing what customers are looking for.
I appreciate the work of a business that does a good job providing people food day to day. I also appreciate that they seem to treat employees well, not just because they are always very friendly to customers, but because they make sure there are enough employees hired so that no one seems stressed or overworked. (I'm not saying this as an insider, so I might not be completely correct about this; however, this is definitely my impression compared to other stores or fast food places.)
Anyway, I'm happy that Wawa exists. :)
I appreciate the work of a business that does a good job providing people food day to day. I also appreciate that they seem to treat employees well, not just because they are always very friendly to customers, but because they make sure there are enough employees hired so that no one seems stressed or overworked. (I'm not saying this as an insider, so I might not be completely correct about this; however, this is definitely my impression compared to other stores or fast food places.)
Anyway, I'm happy that Wawa exists. :)
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