This pic (hilarious) is one of my Halloween costumes….trick or treat!
Let’s talk about Treats.
Eat your good carbs – along with protein and fat they have an important job to do to keep you lean, energized and burning fat!
Choose a good balance of simple (like fruit) and complex (like gluten free grains and starchy vegetables) to get a good balance and maintain steady blood sugar levels.
Spiking the blood sugar too often by eating refined sugar and empty, non-nutrient dense carbs is what will pack on the fat.
That being said, it’s important to deviate from clean eating – I make a point of it every 7-10 days so as not to feel deprived – it will help you stay on track the rest of the time.
Spiking the blood sugar occasionally, strategically, can actually kickstart your metabolism.
3 common reasons we plateau are:
1. Not enough (good) carbs
2. Not enough variety
3. Restrictive dieting
I have a “No-Strings-Attached,” or NSA relationship with my deviant foods/drinks, and it’s one I enjoy guilt free.
I refuse to call it a “cheat day” because I eat with intention and you should too!
When you focus on giving your body nutrients rather than focusing just on calories you can step away from restrictive dieting that eliminates foods you enjoy and instead eat them on purpose on special occasions (or a weekend).
I don’t even think about needing an NSA day anymore.
I just really enjoy the food I cook and make for myself, and it’s even become easy to eat out when I know what foods combine the nutrients my body needs.
Stressing about what you ate/drank at a friends’ birthday party is worse for you than the food itself!
Eating nutrients and fueling my body each week really makes it so I don’t have those cravings I used to get, but I do love being able to deviate from my home cooked meals and my plan without any guilt.
That’s how I’m really able to avoid feeling tempted – because I never feel like I’m doing something I shouldn’t.
I always have permission to enjoy myself, and I do – whether I’m eating at home, or eating out.
I know what fuels my body right, and I eat that most of the time.
And I fuel my mind and my soul by being present to occasions that don’t include my perfect foods – and I’m nourished by how much fun I have 🙂
Coming into the holidays, don’t stress out about enjoying some of the holiday treats.
Plan your NSA day on a day you’ll be in those situations where food choices won’t be your regular stuff.