Bloggers of the Day! (randomly chosen from yesterday’s comments)

• Your Food Smiles – Emily shares many great recipes and food creations
• Health, Happiness, & Skinny Jeans – Samantha blogs about her race training, including a recent half marathon which she rocked
• Second City Randomness – Amy gives the best sarcastic wit out there in sharing her balanced, fun loving life

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Good morning! I’m about to head into another busy day, although at least this one is all fun-filled. Yesterday I had so many things to get done that I didn’t even eat dinner until 8:45 pm!  I had to tutor last night and then stop at the store on the way home. It never fails that I forget something when grocery shopping. Without question, I inhaled my food immediately upon butt contact with the kitchen chair.

I dined on a turkey burger with my usual toppings – ketchup, mustard, pickles, onions, and tomato. I like the basics. Sides, however, can spice it up. We noshed on our first roasted butternut squash of the season. Delicious!

While eating my late dinner, I began thinking about those old food rules I used to follow. One of which touted that eating after 7 pm would cause my body to store every drop I ate as fat. No matter if my overall calorie consumption balanced out. Eating past the golden hour automatically equated to pudge in my book. In that same situation, years ago I might have convinced myself I was no longer hungry or had nothing more than a few veggies. How twisted! Like my body switches off its mitochondrial metabolism support at 7 pm. Riiiggghhhttt.

Then I remembered other “food rules” I used to live by. Laughable now really. Besides not eating after 7, I also could not have complex carbohydrates except around my workouts. So, in other words 2 meals a day and only on training days. Now, does a meal without complex carbs even exist? Not in my stomach!

Another rule in line with that? I could not could not could not consume a starch (complex carbohydrate) with a fat source. Oats and nut butter? Not possible. My body wouldn’t be able to process the nut butter after processing the carbs so I would get fat. Where did this logic even come from? Oh yea. I know. I won’t name names though. Let’s just say I no longer need to send out an “SOS” with my breakfasts. Like my morning’s glorious bowl with oats, 1/2 banana, sprinkle of raisins, and glob of Nutella. 😀

And I cannot forget the golden protein rule! I would keel over and die if I did not eat at least 1 gram of protein per my weight each and every day. Usually I consumed even more than that, getting upwards of 150g each day. That would be 100g OVER the recommended amount for healthy living. I don’t imply its bad to eat more protein, but forcing yourself to eat more because you fear muscle loss and not allowing yourself other foods you love to fit in protein…that’s not too smart. I wasn’t too smart. How did I force myself to eat so much of this…which I don’t even like?

I think my favorite food rule of all, however, was the need to rate my fruits and veggies. Berries and apples? Good. I can have one per day. After a workout, but of course. Bananas, peaches, and grapes? A bit too much sugar…better avoid. Green beans, spinach, and broccoli? Good! Zucchini, squashes, potatoes, corn, carrots, and peas? Do not pass go. Do not collect 200 “grade B/C” veggie calories.

I am not kidding. I used to view food that way. No wonder I binged! Carrots were “bad”! Letting go of food rules was one of the best things I have ever done. It freed me from fearing food and giving it power over me. I now eat how satisfies me and in the process learned that quality foods satisfy me more than anything else. Although that doesn’t stop me from having one food rule. Make room for a bit of dessert every day. 😉 Why, hello there special treat to share for tonight’s special Sister Night courtesy of BlogHer!

• Have you ever succumbed to any of these food rules? Or what others have you placed on yourself?
• What are your favorite burger (be it beef/turkey/bean) toppings?

[All photos not my own from photoxpress.com]

Even years after overcoming binge eating and food guilt, I still have to take caution with my eating habits in social situations. I find it much easier to consume too much food or eat just for the sake of eating in such occasions. Potlucks with their array of delicious food. Dinners out with friends. Parties with buffets of treats and goodies. To this day, I have to remind myself of a few things before partaking. I never feel guilty if I do eat more than needed, but its always nice to have a game plan and leave a night satisfied and comfortable. Wouldn’t you agree? So tonight, while at my friend’s rehearsal dinner (which is buffet style), I will incorporate the following practices that never fail me.

Scan first. Take a look at each plate served to you in a sit-down meal or assess the variety in a buffet before serving yourself. Eat only the things you most enjoy. In a buffet, I always pick out the top 5 things I want to eat and 2 to 3 of the most delicious looking desserts I want to sample. In a sit down meal I won’t finish each plate unless I love every bite. Plus, I always know I want dessert so I will try to eat less overall of the main meal.

Portion check. I plate up a smaller serving of each item I choose so I can get a taste of each, without ending up too full. Many times, a few bites satisfy my taste for that item and this way I can enjoy more of the things I enjoy. Also, feel free to add in the crudités or fruit at free will if you want to nibble extra.

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Take a moment to hunger check. Throughout the night it can be easy to mindlessly snack because you’re busy chatting or food sits right in front of you. Try to remember to pause and gauge your hunger as the night goes on. Realizing you are getting full could be enough to stop you from eating extra.

Keep drinking reasonable. Taking pleasure in a few cocktails is a fun part of social dining for many. Heck, I wish it was a part of my night tonight. 😉 It is easier to lose sight of how much you are eating when things get a little blurry if you know what I mean. Plus, drinks add up! Try to limit to 2 beverages enjoyed over the course of the night.

Think about tomorrow. Remembering a good workout planned the next day, or another social event where you will likely eat more, can help keep you motivated to keep things reasonable in the current moment.

Pop some gum. Seeing other people eating and drinking could just make your mouth crave some activity as well. Keep your mouth busy with some gum. Or sipping some water.

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Do something else. If a party includes dancing, go get your groove on. I doubt people are eating and dancing at the same time. Or if you see some friends talking further away from the dining area, move over and join their conversation.

Throw it away or push it away. Making a physical action to signify you are done eating can strengthen your resolve of being finished. Physically remove your dining dish as a signal to your mind you do not want more.

Don’t think you blew it. If you get to a point where you think you have eaten/drank more than you intended, do NOT immediately think you blew it and should just give in to whatever for the rest of the night! Tell yourself that you realize you are more than satisfied now and choose to continue your night happily. Choose to care for yourself by listening to your body and enjoying the rest of the time without drowning yourself in the chocolate fountain.

• What tips or tricks do you use when dining at social events?
• What situations are hardest for you to listen to your hunger cues?