1. Pick what’s “worth
it” to you.
Prepackaged foods taste good. There may be a
few “junk foods” you abhor, but for the most part we all enjoy the taste of M&Ms and potato chips. Depriving
yourself of these things completely is not only unrealistic, it’s just plain
silly! The key is figuring out which foods you really love, and which you just like.
For instance, I love me some cupcakes or candy, but I find it easier to pass up
the salty snacks and dips. So, whenever I’m in a situation in which both these
food groups are available, I’ll choose something healthier in place of the chips-
like crudités and hummus or mixed nuts- and go all out on dessert.
2. Learn to make your
favorite foods at home.
If you love cookies or nachos, why
not try making them in your own kitchen? Making your own treats not only saves
money, but it also allows you to control exactly what goes into them. Search
the internet for some recipes, try a few out, and determine which measures up
to your expectations. Try using some healthy substitutes, like whole grains
instead of refined flours or natural sweeteners instead of white sugar. It’s a
great way to get creative, improve your cooking skills and satisfy your
cravings!
3. Listen to your
body.
I still
struggle with this personally sometimes, but I do strive to listen to my body
and what it’s telling me whenever I sit down to a meal or snack. Sometimes it’s
hard not to eat an entire slice of cake if it’s sitting in front of you (I’ve
definitely done it!), but remember that there are no prizes awarded for joining
the clean plate club- unless you count a stomachache as a prize. Conversely, if
you’re genuinely hungry for something, don’t feel guilty finishing it.
Deprivation only leads to overeating in the long run. Which brings me to my
next point…
4. Have something
small every day
One of my biggest secrets to
maintaining a healthy diet is to make sure it’s not too healthy. By allowing
myself a treat or two per day, I know I can always have the things I’m
craving. Personally, I always go for a
serving of dark chocolate alongside some fruit for dessert! A healthy lifestyle
isn’t all or nothing- it’s about balance.
We’ve all heard that a thousand times, but it’s true: integrating little
indulgences into every day life reminds us that there are no inherently “good”
or “bad” foods. It’s the big picture that counts!
5. Have no fear.
There will always be occasions
where you eat until you’re stuffed- for me, it’s any time there’s a dessert
buffet. But feeling guilty after overeating gets you nowhere. Instead, handle
the situation in a positive way. Go for
a walk after dinner. Eat a big salad for lunch the next day. Stop letting what
you eat have power over your emotions. The only way you can truly “have your
cake and eat it too” is to learn to enjoy
what you’re eating- whether it be chocolate or carrots!
What are your tips for "having your cake and eating it too?" And what's your proverbial "cake"- the not-so-healthy food you can't live without?
