EAT THE FRIES

I  am here to tell you that you should eat the fries! I ate the fries yesterday and enjoyed every bite! Are you surprised that a nutritionist is telling you to eat the fries? Well, if you have been getting to know me these last few months, you will understand why I think it is better to give into your cravings rather than to ignore them. 

We all get cravings. It might be for ice cream, chips, chocolate or all of them!  So, why do we feel like these cravings have so much control over us? Probably because we feel like we are "bad" if we give into our cravings. Diet culture is telling us that we have failed if we eat these so called "bad" foods. Our minds are filled with so much confusion about what to eat, how much to eat and when to eat.

Have you ever noticed what happens when you deem a food "bad" or "forbidden?" Chances are you crave that food even more - you may dream about it, imagine you are that food and literally start seeing it everywhere. As time passes, the cravings increase and you can't resist the food anymore. So, you give in and not only have the "bad" food, but eat it in excess. You feel guilty but tell yourself it is ok as you will "get back on track" tomorrow. You start to wonder why you have no self control. You tell yourself you will spend an extra half an hour at the gym. You wonder why you can't be as healthy as the skinny girl at work. Your guilt goes into overdrive! 

And we know it doesn't stop there. The more you restrict yourself a food, the more you want it. This cycle will continue and you will constantly feel guilt over food choices and try to reduce this guilt with more restriction. A vicious cycle. Trust me, I have been there. 

This is why I am encouraging you to eat this "bad" food and savour every bite. Pay attention to the flavour, the texture, the taste and really, really enjoy it. Try to eat without distractions and be mindful of how you feel while eating this restricted food. Once you have finished it, you can move on. I know I make it sound easy. I would be lying to you if I told you it was easy. It is not. However, the work you have to do on this journey will be worth it. YOU ARE WORTH IT! 

If you are stuck in this vicious cycle, please reach out and I can help you. As I have said before and will continue to say (broken record here), life is meant to be lived. Restriction and guilt are not living!