#99 Is it what we are eating or how we are eating that keeps us from our goals

Now that we are over halfway through the year it is a good time to look at the goals we started out with at the beginning of 2021.

 

Still going strong?

 

Or started with a roar and fizzled out?

 

Either way now is a great time to reevaluate where we are and where we are headed.

There is still plenty of time to achieve great goals between now and the end of the year, 5 months to be precise.

 

So what does everyone think that they want?

 

A new food plan. A wonder diet. A shake. A supplement. A detox. Anything shiny and new that promises great results and fast!

 

The trouble is very few people will stick to the plan. Because it gets boring or because the labrador brain talks them out of it.

 

So let's focus on the basics of how we eat as opposed to what we eat. It is surprising how much impact a few changes can make.

 

1. Eat when hungry. Duh Ginny you may say.

But who even recognises physical hunger anymore?

True hunger starts in our body (our stomach) and travels to our brain.

True hunger is not eating out of habit, social expectation or to bury an emotion or to avoid doing something. True hunger is fixed with an apple, some broccoli or a bowl of salad in other words natural whole foods. Wanting a chocolate chip cookie or cake is not hunger, it is a craving or emotional need.

The first step is to catch ourselves and become aware of these eating habits that have nothing to do with hunger. Keep a journal and get curious. What are we using food for when we aren't hungry?

 

Aim to stop eating before 80% full. Hara Hachi Bu.

 

2. Plan food ahead of time.

Plan what to eat, when to eat and how much to eat. Make a plan that is realistic, tailor it to the day, What's happening who with, and where and when.

 

Plan enjoyable food. But for heaven's sake do it.

I get so much resistance on this one.

Do we plan to put fuel in our car?

Do we plan when to get our hair, nails, waxing done?

Yes of course we do! Then please plan food for fuel ahead of time. It takes 5 minutes and is a great gift to your future self. Eating on plan won't always happen. That's fine just reassess and tweak tomorrow's plan and try again.

 

3. Sit down to eat without distractions.

Eating in the car or while working at our desk (my old default) does not count.

 

No TV, no radio, no Facebook!

 

Notice how hard it has become to eat without distraction.

Make time to sit down alone or with family or work colleagues. Actually, focus on the pleasure and joy of eating.

 

The brain can then recognise food intake. Take time to chew and digest food properly satiating hunger and helping to eliminate GI distress.

 

Only eating at the table eliminates so much unconscious eating. Standing at the fridge or pantry, picking when cooking, picking putting food away and so on. Grabbing an extra handful of nuts or spoonful of peanut butter.

 

We often overeat because of unconscious BLATS (bites, licks and tastes).

 

4. Every meal must have a start and a finish.

This really links to number three.

Practice serving an appropriate amount.

Eat slowly, put the fork or spoon down between mouthfuls.

 

Chew food well, allow tastebuds to really get a pleasure hit, enjoy the texture of the food.

Consider saying a version of grace. Be grateful for the food. Acknowledge the wonder of the universe and the people who have provided the food. Stop and take a minute to think about where the food has come from (I don't mean Pak n Save!!).

 

Stop before 80% full and leave the table.

No more BLATs that is it meal over.

 

I hope that this gives you some food for thought. Pun intended! Very often the problem starts with how we eat not what we are eating!