We cannot solve problems with the same level of mind that created them. – Albert EINSTEIN (1879-1955)
The average person eats over 1000 meals a year, not counting snacks.That’s a lot of food and a lot of time and energy. Ideally, all those meals will yield happy results. Since what we eat is converted into the fuel for our lives, we should strive for the best.
Once we decide that we’re ready to wake up to a happier and better way of eating, we’re faced with the practical task of figuring out just what to do (and not do). This usually means coming up with a plan of eating, starting with an overall plan and filling in the details on a weekly or even daily basis. Fortunately, we don’t have to plan our meals a year at a time.
What we do have to do is stay flexible. Even if we commit fully to eating whole grains, local food, grown in the best of circumstances, etc., the fact is that we cannot always be assured that we will have access to these foods, especially if we become overly particular. This is one reason why when we pursue this new food reality, it’s essential we do not get bogged down with a rigid way of eating. We call it being “food elastic.”
Broaden Your Palate
Another aspect of flexibility is expanding our palates – learning to increase our “go-to” menu items to include new foods. By opening to the possibilities of new types of foods, new combinations, and ingredients that we’ve never much used, we are actually able to speed up our food awakening. Rather than allow ourselves to be locked into eating foods a particular way, we broaden our options, increasing satisfaction. Diveristy of eating experiences not only reduces boredom, it also brings us maximum health and connection.
We also increase the likelihood that we’ll be able to eat well no matter what the circumstances if we let go of strict food beliefs. Many times, we will be surprised and delighted by what we can come up with and what we enjoy eating.
Know Your Problem Foods
We all have them – foods that are problems for us. For some, it’s sugary sweet items or snacks. For others, particular combinations like bread and butter or burgers and fries are problematic. Whatever it is, we know it’s a problem for us for our own reasons. Maybe we overeat, perhaps we don’t feel well after eating or maybe it’s just an obstacle to meeting our goals (weight, health and otherwise).
With eating, as with life generally, we must make peace with our problems. We need to learn how to face our food demons and build a relationship. Here too, a supple attitude is the key to success. Learn why indulgence can be the path to overcoming our problem foods and how we can move past our eating obstacles.