Who's controlling who?

Does believing we have a choice hinder us instead of help us?       

This was the question I posed to the E.A.T! alumni group last night after asking them if they had ever considered putting certain trigger foods on a DO NOT EAT list. 

This is a complicated discussion for me because I work my butt off to teach choice, moderation, boundaries and how to have a healthy relationship with food.  This post is meant to provoke thought in my clients and readers to look at another strategy that may help them manage the unhealthy relationship they have with some foods. 

There are certain foods that I can't lie to myself about anymore.  I can no longer believe I can choose to control how much I will eat of these trigger foods.  I know if I choose to make cookies for my kids that there is a very strong (who am I kidding, its pretty much absolute) possibility I am going to get into the dough.  I have to make a very conscious effort and use my will power not to have just one nibble.... because a nibble is all it takes.

I KNOW a nibble of our trigger foods can NEVER be just a nibble.. a nibble leads to a hard take down and us wondering how and why we lost total control. 

Perhaps believing we have control is actually where the battle is lost. 

Some foods I can have a few and not go back for more but others are in a category all to themselves.  Many a time I have stood with my hand in a box of breakfast cereal (and I am talking Go Lean cereal... yes, even healthy foods can be triggers!) convincing myself that I hadn't really had that much, only to realize that I had emptied half the box.  Double Bubble gumballs are another for me... the stories are legendary in the studio and I am very real about my own wrestling matches with maintaining a healthy balance with all types of food.  Sugar is a very real struggle for me and a battle I fight daily.

Trigger foods are foods that if I start eating I have a hard time stopping or going back for more and more and more.  I DO NOT HAVE CONTROL OVER MY TRIGGER FOODS!  They control me. 

So do I have a choice?? 

Absolutely, but my choice may surprise you.
My choice is to abstain from eating my trigger foods.  My own personal game plan.  My own personal DO NOT EAT list.  Not a bite not a nibble.

This is a strong boundary to put in place but by doing so I take back my power and give myself a choice.  The choice is to NOT eat my trigger foods. I have accepted and surrendered to the truth that I lose control when I eat them.   

1. Gumballs

2. Icing

3. Cookie Dough (or any baking dough for that matter)

4. Cereal (healthy or not)

Not a long list and it must look pretty silly but this is who I am.  These are the foods that get me.  As much as I love healthy food, a healthy body and a healthy lifestyle and live to spread this message to others, I am also human.  I have my own struggles and my own cravings.  I get it.  I strive to do better everyday and live what I teach.  Perfectly imperfect.  


My challenge to the alumni group and to you, is to write down your own list of trigger foods and acknowledge and accept their existence.  This is no different than writing down and looking at your financial debt.  How do you know where to start if you don't know what you are dealing with?  Again, these are the foods that you know you won't stop at one or will spend hours thinking and obsessing about after a morsel has passed your lips. 

I am  not suggesting that you remove all the foods you list but perhaps its time to look at the ones that really have control over you and slide them onto an abstinence list, even if it is a temporary one.  It may be the key to your success! 

On a side note:  If spinach seems to be controlling you... well, that's OK in my book!

Leave a comment, your thoughts or any mad ramblings you may have on the subject.  I would love to hear about the strategies that you use to help you help yourself!

-L


Here are the recipes from last nights E.A.T!  alumni group.  It was potluck night and these were the top two!

POOR MAN’S STEAK

Makes 6 servings

Ingredients:

2 Eggplants, (1.5 lbs total), ends trimmed, cut crosswise into ¾ inch-thick slices
2 Tsp salt
1 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
½ Tsp dried oregano
1 small clove garlic, minced
Freshly ground pepper, to taste

Directions:

1. Sprinkle eggplant with salt and drain in colander for 30 minutes after cutting
2. Preheat over to 450 F. Lightly coat 2 baking sheets with non stick cooking spray

3. Rinse the eggplant under cold water and pat dry. Arrange in a single layer on the prepared baking sheets. Bake for 20 minutes, turn the eggplant over and bake for 5 minutes longer, or until golden brown and tender.

4. Stir together oil, vinegar and garlic in a small bowl. Season the eggplant with pepper and brush tops with the oil mixture. Serve at room temperature.

Tips and Notes:

If you make ahead it can be covered and refrigerated for up to 8 hours. Bring to room temperature before serving.

Change the oil and change the flavor. Try using flax oil.

Also, don’t be afraid to use less oil and make this recipe even leaner!

Per serving:

52 calories; 3 g fat ( 0 g sat , 2 g mono ); 0 mg cholesterol; 7 g carbohydrates; 1 g protein; 4 g fiber; 779 mg sodium; 271 mg potassium.

modified from eatingwell.com

Clean Eating Spicy Orange Cinnamon Shrimp

Thank you to thegraciouspantry.com for providing a great resource of healthy, clean recipes so please hop over and enjoy her site!