Loving Yourself When Making Food Choices

Yesterday my husband and I went out to dinner at a new restaurant for us near the FSU campus.  As usual, I quickly scanned the menu for things I could make gluten free, dairy free, soy free and egg free and healthy.  Not too many choices, but some possibilities.

I decided on grilled snapper, which sounded delicious.  The choices for sides were salad or fries or brussel sprouts.  There was a part of me that really wanted fries.  I NEVER get fries when I am out, because they are cooked in the same oil as the breaded things, therefore making them not GF.  However I asked the server if the fries were GF anyway.

Did I mention I REALLY wanted fries?

She said it “was her understanding” that the kitchen could make them gluten free.  Still not trusting the kitchen, I opted for the salad (which by the way was delicious.)

But the point was – do I or don’t I have the fries?  How would my body feel after eating the fries, even if they were GF?

Truthfully, most probably I would have felt too full – fish and fries do not a healthy meal make!  Would that choice have felt like love (to myself?)  I learned this little tip from Susan Hyatt, master life coach, author, and someone who inspires me greatly.  She teaches her BARE students (check her program out here) to love and appreciate their bodies first.  Weight loss can come as a by product of that.

The choice of fries did not feel like love for my body.  It’s not about deprivation.  I am all about having joy or pleasure foods sometimes, in addition to power or fuel foods.  But this particular choice, when I really thought about it, didn’t feel good to me.

Today, I would like to challenge you to try asking yourself the next time you are making food choices, “Does this feel like love (towards my body)?  Or does it feel like fear (fear of missing out/being deprived?”)  Take the time to think before you choose.  I think it will make a difference in the choices you make.

I would love to hear what happens when you try this.  Leave me a note in the comments section.

Also, I am giving a class at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Tallahassee on August 30, 2016, 7-8:30 p.m. called Winning at Weight Loss without Dieting – with God’s Help.  Let me know here if you are planning to come.  It’s gonna’ be good stuff!!

Jane Springer

Jane Springer is a certified Life, Wellness and Style Coach who assists women in taking care of themselves, in body, mind and spirit.  She coaches women who want to lose weight, avoid diabetes, and feel great. She also helps them thrive after divorce.  She also helps them to clear their closets of old clothes and outdated attitudes, so they can shine and feel confident.