How to Live WITH the Foods You Love, Not Without
Good Nutrition with Moderation
I'm a dietitian. People come to me for help losing weight. It's not uncommon for my sheepish clients to report that they "binged" on all their favorite foods the day before coming to see me. They then expect me to tell them they're no longer "allowed" to have those bad foods again!
I surprise them. I tell them I'm not the food police, and I don't plan to follow them around 24/7 to be sure they don't have a nibble or lick of something they "aren't supposed to."
In fact, they are usually thrilled to hear they can lose weight while still enjoying their favorite foods...as often as every day.
I work very hard with my clients to help them establish "rules" or boundaries around the foods they love to overeat. These "trouble" or "trigger" foods are usually the first that a person wants to "give up" when "going on a diet." And while avoiding trigger foods for awhile is certainly possible, inevitably they wind up being missed, and so an eventual binge is inevitable.
So instead of making any food "off limits," I suggest defining "rules" or boundaries around them.
The rules must define:
*The circumstances under which a food/beverage can be consumed
*The frequency
*The amount
For instance, here's my own personal set of ice cream rules:
*No ice cream in the house. I can only eat it by going to an ice cream parlor. (The circumstance.)
*I can only have it it 2x/wk. (The frequency.)
*I limit myself to a child size cup. (The amount.)
Here's a "wine rule" that a few of my clients like. (Remember, alcohol has calories even though they're not listed on the label!)
*No wine at home; only in social settings.
*No more than 2 glasses...
*...over the course of the weekend.
Try making a set of rules for one of your own problem foods and see how enjoyable it can be to live WITH the foods you love, not WITHOUT them!
For professional help in establishing YOUR "rules," visit me at http://www.inspiringnutrition.com
About the Author
Nutritionist Suzette Kroll Barancik is a registered dietitian, certified intrinsic coach and specialist in nutritional counseling, as well as a senior staff member at the world-renowned Canyon Ranch Health Resort.
For more dieting and weight loss tips visit her site at http://www.personal-nutrition-guide.com
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