Written by ARWB January 2012 Blogger of the Month, Lyndi Fultz of NWAFoodie.
As this new year broadcasts its frantic message of resolutions and fervent hopes for tomorrow, twitter and the blogosphere is abuzz with diet tips, calorie counters, and an overall confusion of diet, diet, diet, and denial.
A healthy diet doesn’t have to mean denial.
A healthy diet should mean eating for pleasure.
First, let’s talk about the word “pleasure.” Webster defines “pleasure” as desire, inclination; a state of gratification; sensual gratification; frivolous amusement; a source of delight or joy.
These are strong and healthy phrases. Pause and dwell on them.
When we talk about eating for pleasure, it means that we should not focus on the guilt of eating. Eating is a privilege and should be a source of delight or joy for us.
It’s all about mindset.
Sometimes we just need a little tweak or reminder of our priorities!
The RIGHT mindset when eating
1) Slow down.
2) Engage all of your senses.
3) Consume half of what is on your plate.
4) Savor by taking time to chew.
5) Give thanks.
The WRONG mindset when eating
1) Fret about calories.
2) Fret about fat grams.
3) Don’t pay attention to what just went into your mouth.
4) Shove.
5) Regret another dissatisfied meal.
Let’s face it. We all have gone down the wrong mindset path a time or two. But that’s okay because that was yesterday. Today we start anew…
Which would you rather choose?
Eat well, my friends. Eat well.
Lyndi
Lyndi of NWAFoodie is a girl who just happens to live in beautiful Northwest Arkansas. Much of her blogging inspiration comes from this gem of a place which she refers to as the proverbial land of milk-and-honey.
Read this just after sitting down to a brunch of hot tea, local jasmine rice, sauteed spinach, flank steak, and homemade shiracha. Thanks a schedule change at work, mid morning is when I really have time to cook. I let go of tradition ideas of breakfast and just try to make something enjoyable and healthy. I can’t get on board with the eat half of what’s on your plate, but I did switch to salad plates so I can do a beautiful presentation with a reasonable serving. Meeting the people who grow what I eat and growing my own food were two things that really helped me engage with what I’m eating and be respectful and thankful.
Thanks for these reminders to be present in the moment and quit worrying about calories. Simple, but not always easy.
Sounds like you have ” a state of gratification and a source of delight or joy” covered!.
I’m still working on the “consume half of what is on your plate”… but then again, maybe because I am not putting as much on my plate as I used to! At restaurants? Definitely!
Kudos to meeting the people who grow what you eat and growing your own food! Love that! Consider me impressed!
Lyndi
Stephanie (#2), you’re right! It’s not easy… even if it IS simple.