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Food Addiction and Fa-La-La

Dec15

‘Tis the season for eating, drinking, and being merry. All that Fa-la-la-ing can really shake up the routine. And why not?

Fighting food addiction in a festive season where feelings are mixed, spirits are are high, and food is everywhere can be an un-winnable battle.

In that case, why fight it? What’s wrong with just enjoying the festivities without worrying about all the what ifs that no one can do anything about anyway?

If you’re going to have feelings, have warm, happy ones, and share them as often as possible. If you’re going to eat, eat responsibly.

One thing that is becoming more and more common during the holiday season is the amount of stress associated with all the good cheer.

How about using some of that good cheer to your benefit this year? You will eat, and maybe you’ll overeat–most people do during the holidays. But don’t let old negative feelings drive you to feed your food addiction.

Instead, be light of heart. Feed your spirit. Nourish the best in yourself. Soon enough it will a new year. Save your resolutions until then. For now, eat well, drink responsibly, and be merry every chance you get.

5 Tips for Keeping Your Food Addiction in Check on Thanksgiving Day

Nov22

Here are five things you can do to enjoy your Thanksgiving dinner without giving in to your food addiction.

1. Don’t limit your eating to Thanksgiving Dinner. You’re going to have leftovers anyway, so why not start on them early?

Instead of stuffing yourself at the dinner table, eat just enough to stop feeling hungry and go back for more when you feel hungry again.

2. Stay away from your addictive foods. You know which ones they are. Don’t make a big deal out of it. Just do what you need to do.

My big addictive food is bread. I don’t even keep it in the house. If it’s a choice between pumpkin pie and rolls, the pie wins every time. I don’t know why but it’s not addictive for me like rolls and bread are.

3. Always save room for dessert. You know you’re going to eat it so don’t let the guilt rob you of that simple pleasure. Eat it and enjoy it and let it go at that.

4. Don’t give in to snacking. Eat a real meal, at least some protein and carbohydrates,  something that will satisfy you for 2-3 hours. One of the problems with snacking is that it seems to go on forever. A meal should have an ending.

5. Give your body some time to process the food you’re taking in. That way you’ll have enough energy to play a little football, go to a movie, or take a nice walk.

Thanksgiving Day is not a time to be worrying about emotional eating, food addictions, or losing weight. That takes all the enjoyment out of it.

Overeating is common but it doesn’t have to be. Eat when you’re hungry, stop when you’re not, and be thankful you have enough food to worry about overeating.

Food Addiction Alert: Fats Have a Face

Nov21

Don’t let the word “diet” mislead you when watching this YouTube video. For food addicts, emotional eaters, and anyone struggling to lose weight, the information about how to recognize fats is priceless.

Zoe Harcombe is an author, Nutritionist & Obesity Researcher, and founder of The Harcombe Diet. I am blown away by the brilliant analogy she uses to identify fats and distinguish them from carbohydrates.