How to Eat Without Guilt: It’s a Choice, Not a Cheat
Before we change what we do, it helps to change the way we think first. And that is part of the reason why we decided to go all out in explaining How to Eat Without Guilt.
When it comes to eating, many of us have an emotional relationship with food.
Without thinking, and often out of guilt, we use phrases like, “I’m being good,” “I didn’t cheat today,” or something I hear a lot, “I was so BAD this weekend,” to describe how we feel about our food choices.
We hop from one diet or food fad to the next, all the while feeling at least somewhat deprived and like we’re being forced to do it rather than making a conscious choice.
It’s not wonder so many of us struggle to feel and look great in our bodies.
What if we started thinking differently?
What if, instead of using good/bad and cheating language (are we talking about relationships or food here?), we started asking ourselves these three questions each time we make a choice about what to eat?
1. Is this real?
Real food was alive at one point. You can find it in nature. You can pronounce it. The life in food gives us life. When we eat vibrant and alive food, we build bodies that are vibrant and alive. The energy radiates out of us, and we look and feel amazing.
2. Is this going to fuel and nourish me?
Most of us want to feel energized all day long, and eating fueling, nourishing food is one way to do that. High quality, organic foods are loaded with healing, life-giving, health-promoting, disease-fighting vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and phytochemicals to help our bodies thrive.
3. Is this working for me?
We have to be honest about this one. If the way we’re eating puts us on an emotional roller coaster, leaves us feeling deprived and paranoid, or results in annoying side effects like bloating, gas, headaches, indigestion and fatigue, we have to get real with ourselves about what we’re eating and if it’s working. If it’s not serving our greater needs (to feel and look amazing, so we can do all the things we want to do in our lives and be there for those we love), then it’s time to consider making some changes.
Often when we start to make changes to what we eat, people will ask us, “Are you on a diet??”
If we’re eating real food that nourishes and fuels us and makes us look and feel our best, we’re simply taking ownership over our choices; we’re not depriving ourselves. So, in short, “no,” we’re not “on” a diet.
Here’s how to respond: “I can have it, but I don’t want it” vs. the old school diet mentality that says “I want it, but I can’t have it.”
It’s all about CHOICE.
Saying we CAN have something but are choosing not to gives us freedom with our food. The other option makes us feel deprived and resentful and triggers feelings of temptation. And we know what happens when temptation gets too strong – we don’t make the most nourishing choices.
So, the next time you eat, regardless of what is it, keep this in mind, “It’s a choice, not a cheat“…and enjoy it! And now you know How to Eat Without Guilt. Have questions? Contact us today.