Are you always stress eating? Lack of self control around food? You must read these helpful tips!!

This is something I've always struggled with. I used to always turn to food for comfort. Food can give us those feel good endorphins when we are feeling low, but the problem is food is supposed to be pure FUEL!

One of the biggest things that have helped me with this issue is what I call mindful eating. It is not something that you can change over night- but overtime absolutely.

Mindful eating looks at the why of eating, not just the what. It’s about being aware of what you’re putting in your body and being aware of the cues your body gives you such as being hungry, or not. This can improve your relationship and thoughts around food.

We must get back to viewing food as fuel and nourishment, not as a stress reliever! To change a bad habit such as stress eating, you really need to get real with yourself and go deep inside and DEAL with that stress... if you suppress it with food, not dealing with those emotions will just make the negative feeling show up time and time again.

Another problem why this might happen is there is too much focus on restriction! This can create negative feelings around food, such as anxiety or resentment- and binging! When I tell myself something is off limits and I cannot have that for an extended period of time- what do you think happens? I binge like crazy. I am moody, and no fun to be around. When you look at food as pure fuel, yes indeed it can be amazingly tasty, but it helps stop the binging cycles.

Let's also look at portion sizes within the food industry- news flash we are served wayyy too much. When we are presented with larger meals, we eat more than we need. It can trick us to thinking we re hungrier than we actually are! Now it depends on the food though- because when it comes to healthy foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, we tend to UNDER-EAT. These foods do not need portion sizes, but unhealthy foods such as what we typically get at restaurants and fast food, packaged foods, indeed do need portion sizes- that's why the have them on the back!!- so follow them if you must eat those foods. Many of these packaged foods we tend to overeat on are stuffed with chemicals that are SUPPOSED to make you addicted and not be able to stop eating, that's what the food industry wants!! (so you will come back and buy more!) Don't give into their evil plan.

My tip is make sure you are getting your FUEL and NOURISHMENT from the foods your body actually needs first (fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes) after you've had your NEEDED servings, then check yourself and see if you really need or really want those other not so good unhealthy foods that really do not serve you and will just cause you to gain weight. I like to make sure I get my healthy servings in first, and usually after that I do not even want the other foods.

Lastly, let's talk about hunger. True hunger is when you have a rumbling in your tummy. True hunger is not when it's a certain time of day, it's not when other people are eating, it's not when food is available. True hunger is also not thirst. True hunger is when your body lets you know it needs FUEL and NOURISHMENT by causing your stomach to GROWL. You should also be mindful of how hungry and full you are. If you let yourself get to the point of starvation, it's much easier to overeat and lose control with food. So eat when you are hungry, STOP when you are full. Listen to your body! It is so smart if you just let it be!

Making a clear decision everyday to listen to your body is what you need to do. You must make this a habit. When I was losing weight, I had to practice this. Overtime I became successful.

This can help with healthy weight management and improve your relationship with food as it has mine. And remember weight loss is not just about a number on a scale, it's about creating HEALTHY HABITS for the LONG TERM. Mindful eating is long term. I've learned to recognize WHY I am actually eating, and I've done this for so long it's now a habit. As long as you are making an effort to do better every day, over time you will start to see the amazing changes. Don't give up. Commit to the long haul. Be consistent everyday. Believe you can achieve, work at it, and you will win.

If you're sick of struggling on your own and need my help, please reach out. I would love to be that accountability person and coach you need to guide you through all of the struggles of losing weight and keeping it off. Sometimes all we need a person to guide us, give us the correct knowledge of what to do, and help keep us accountable, I can definitely be that person for you!

Send me a DM on instagram, facebook, or send me an email at nutrition@nursetaywholefoodie.com.

Check out my 1:1 coaching program HERE.

That's all for today. XOXO