Just once won't hurt: great article on food cravings

Check it out :
http://www.diseaseproof.com/archives/inspiration-does-it-really-hurt.html

Re: Just once won't hurt: great article on food cravings

Interesting read, thanks for posting!

I kind of disagree with the premise of the article, which (as I read it) is that indulging occasionally in less healthy fare is a slippery slope that will lead to eating these types of indulgent foods every day. She argues that since we've already told ourselves it's ok to do "just this once," the taboo is off, so to speak, and we will start eating these foods all the time. And the exception (the treat) will become the rule.

For me, that is not really the case at all. Whenever I've been successful at losing weight in the past, and eating healthy, I need to know that I can have the occasional decadent restaurant meal or a slice of cake or some really good cheese and wine on occasion. The key is always to get right back on the healthy eating path. So if I go out Saturday night and overindulge, the rest of the week I eat healthy food I make myself at home. If I want a "treat" - I have it, but order the smallest size possible and try to account for it by eating lighter or foregoing other snacks for the rest of the day.

For me, this "flexible restraint" model works better than going to extremes and being overly rigid about what I can't have. I think if eating one "real" cookie will satisfy a craving, better to eat that and move on than try to squelch the craving with other things (esp. low cal substitutes) that may lead to eating more food in the end than if you had just had the damn cookie in the first place! And sometimes making something "forbidden" increases its allure, making it harder to resist. But there definitely needs to be some discipline with the flexible restraint approach.

And I think everyone has their own "food issues" and there is not a "one size fits all" approach to eating well. I've heard people say that if they eat one piece of candy or one cookie, it will trigger a whole binge. And if that's the case for those people, than what the author is suggesting totally makes sense. So I guess I shouldn't say that I disagree with the whole premise of the article, but that I disagree that it's always the case for everyone.

Re: Just once won't hurt: great article on food cravings

I hear your points and absolutely think it depends on the person. There are some people who can be satisfied with an occasional cookie or an order of french fries. However, in general, I think most people can quickly rationalize a "one time treat" in to something that they eat more often. I know lots of people who are trying to lose weight who give themselves splurge days and I think it can definitely limit progress. So many days can be called special occasions, kwim? For me, the only way to stop eating sugar, was to think of it as a toxin and something not to be eaten regardless of the occasion or my own craving. It has been the only thing that has allowed me to almost completely give up added sugars. The benefit is that you feel awful when you fall of the wagon. 3 weeks ago I had some carrot cake while eating out. It was beyond delicious, but I felt SO sick afterwards. Sluggish, exhausted and gross. So, for me, moderation doesn't really work. Avoidance is the only possibility.

Re: Just once won't hurt: great article on food cravings

I totally hear you... I think a lot of people share your views. And I think whatever works for the individual is what they should do.

I also disagree with the concept of the "splurge" day because the underlying premise is that the healthy food you are eating during the week is not enjoyable so you need a day to go off the rails. I think it's far better to find healthy foods you can enjoy every day. But I like to cook and find new ways to prepare healthy meals, so I usually enjoy what I am eating all the time. I think that's the key to sticking to any eating plan.

I also think a lot of people aren't educated on what they should be eating, on proper portion control, etc. So if you make a conscious, informed decision to cut out all sugars, that's great, and you will likely stick to it because you were fully educated on what you were doing. But if someone is looking for a quick fix, magic bullet for weight loss, for example, and says "I will just cut out x nutrient or x food," I feel like those people are less successful in the long-term and can't sustain it. I personally am against demonizing ANY food or making anything totally off-limits, but I understand why others may go meat free or dairy free or sugar free. And I think as long as they do it from an informed place and feel like it's a sustainable lifestyle and not a short term "punishment" type of thing, then viva la difference!

Re: Just once won't hurt: great article on food cravings

Posted by Century 21 Dallow - Christine Braun

I totally hear you... I think a lot of people share your views. And I think whatever works for the individual is what they should do.

I also disagree with the concept of the "splurge" day because the underlying premise is that the healthy food you are eating during the week is not enjoyable so you need a day to go off the rails. I think it's far better to find healthy foods you can enjoy every day. But I like to cook and find new ways to prepare healthy meals, so I usually enjoy what I am eating all the time. I think that's the key to sticking to any eating plan.

I also think a lot of people aren't educated on what they should be eating, on proper portion control, etc. So if you make a conscious, informed decision to cut out all sugars, that's great, and you will likely stick to it because you were fully educated on what you were doing. But if someone is looking for a quick fix, magic bullet for weight loss, for example, and says "I will just cut out x nutrient or x food," I feel like those people are less successful in the long-term and can't sustain it. I personally am against demonizing ANY food or making anything totally off-limits, but I understand why others may go meat free or dairy free or sugar free. And I think as long as they do it from an informed place and feel like it's a sustainable lifestyle and not a short term "punishment" type of thing, then viva la difference!

Re: Just once won't hurt: great article on food cravings

Message edited 2/20/2013 12:55:32 PM.

Re: Just once won't hurt: great article on food cravings

this is so me

I can't just have 1 bite- I have an addiction- which I can completely control when I remove all tempation- being vegan helps with this greatly- it's more important for me b/c I am diabetic- so cheating means more insulin (same for your body- but I have to shot more and then I end up feeling like crap)

for almost 3 weeks I have ate perfectly- not even a cheat meal- which lead to a cheat day- which lead to a cheat weekend

I think it's great that some people can just have 1 cookie and walk away- I am not one of those people and I accept that

Re: Just once won't hurt: great article on food cravings

Today was a great example of this article. I walked into Whole Foods and it was some kind of sample day. They had all these baked goods as samples. I ended up taking one and then trying like 5 different sweet things! Thankfully the portions were small, but it threw off my whole day meal wise. I was too stuffed to eat a regular dinner. I'm not trying to lose weight, but I definitely felt sick from the sugar. It just reminded me of how strong the cravings can get and how we can eat too much too quickly. Oh well, back to normal tomorrow.

Message edited 2/20/2013 9:48:47 PM.

Re: Just once won't hurt: great article on food cravings

I plan to read the article but I do find that part of my success over the last 2 years of weight loss and getting healthy is not denying myself completely. As a general guideline, I allow one day's worth of indulgences per week... One indulgent breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert. I spread them out and keep my portions under control regardless of what I'm eating.

But I am one of those people that, when I really decide to set my mind to something, there isn't much that will deter me. Once I broke my emotional attachment and addiction to food (I'm going to say honestly it took almost a year), that it became a lot easier. I don't think this is typical of all people, but breaking that addiction was SO important.

Thinking about food primarily as a fuel source, a means to an end, is what keeps me from binging like I used to. That and keeping busy, because I was an eat-when-I'm-bored kind of person.