Interesting title don’t you think. I wanted to talk to you today about the conversations we have in our head about food. How many of us struggle with that conversation in our head before we eat something? For example, if you go to your pantry and there is a box of protein bars and a box of Oreos, what conversation do you have in your head about which one you will ultimately pick to eat? It might go something like this, “Well, I know I need to get my protein in for today. But those cookies look really good. I have been pretty good with eating today. Maybe one won’t hurt. But, the protein bar will probably make it so I am not so hungry. Ugh….. ” and so on.
We have these food conversations in our head all the time. And, sometimes, we don’t have these conversations when we just randomly grab food without thinking about it. The bowl of candy at your co-workers desk. The candy at the grocery check-out aisle. It is important that you really start to have more conversations with yourself before you pick up and put something in your mouth. Let’s face it. Today food is convenient and the makers of the food make it that way so you will buy it. It is a lot harder to find something quick and healthy and not expensive these days.
I want you to really talk to yourself before you eat your next meal. Slow down before eating. Eat at a table instead of on the couch or in the car. Ask yourself, “Do I really need this? Or am I stressed?” Eating is a basic necessity of life but some of us take it to the extreme when we overeat or eat when we are not hungry. It is important to really pay attention to your body. Recognize when you are full. Chewing is actually part of the process that tells us if we are full or not.
Again, like anything, this takes practice. One step at a time. That is how change occurs. If you forget and grab something without thinking, then the next time really make a point to “talk to yourself” when you feel like eating. Eating needs to be a process. A process of reading labels, getting rid of tempting foods (like the Oreos in the pantry), and making a choice each day that you are going to choose to eat 60 to 100 grams of protein a day. Tell yourself, “I am choosing to eat this protein bar instead of the Oreos because I am making small changes to eat healthier.” And you know what, if you are by yourself, you can even say it out loud. Sounds funny, I know, but saying things out loud make it more real and your brain will actually register it more than if you just say it silently to yourself.
What conversations are you having with your food today?