Can you put the “ate” in moderate? Or should you quit your trigger foods?

July 23, 2017 Ashley 0 Comments

“I guess I’m just not as much of a foodie as you are.”

Yes. Someone said this to me once. Actually, it came from an ex – during a not-so-deep convo about having self control during our respective episodes of sustenance uptake. He wasn’t trying to be offensive, mind you. Not at all. Rather, what he was explaining, is that he doesn’t have “trigger” foods. Homeboy could have a cookie – maybe even just half – and be fine with putting the other away and forgetting about it. But me, on the other hand? I can’t conceive of half a cookie. Not if it’s any good. Once I strike up the taste bud band, I want the whole song – and maybe a few other snack tracks on the album as well. It’s all bound for the food chute. So, it was strange to me how nothing he ate could ever make him wanna enjoy even slightly more than he should. (Especially when he had issues managing more dangerous substances – like liquor – than savory snack foods).

But that’s just it.

According to expert Gretchen Rubin, some’ve us are just “moderators” and “abstainers” when it comes to food, specifically. And those terms aren’t anything fancy. They’re exactly what they sound like. Some’ve us (moderators) can make like my ex, enjoy abstemiously, and stow the remainder away in the fridge for the next day. Classic moderator.

(“Oh, that’s far too large a slice, Ashley. At least three point nine fourths’ve this is going in the fridge…”)

Then… there are those like myself.

The abstainers. It’s a term that’d better be understood by illustrating what happens when we fail to abstain. If I’d gone into the same fridge my ex’s leftover confection was in, and eaten in, all gastronomical hell’d break loose thereafter. First, I’d ransack the cupboards for more. And I’d polish them off. Then, I’d drive to the supermarket for another batch – with one hand on the wheel, and the other wielding an ice cream cone I stole off a now sobbing toddler on my way to the car.

So, generally, I just abstain. It’s just easier.

Hence the term: “abstainer”. Sure, it’s a bummer that I might never be a “moderator”. But I don’t resent it – especially since most of my trigger foods cause body inflammation and send me into sugar-drop level lethargy, anyway. Plus, my “mostly abstaining” approach has worked beautifully for me. I simply avoid certain stuff that sets off my gobble monster. (And, no, I don’t mean that I walk past the dessert table at a party with a crucifix in hand.) I just spend 95% of my time not having most sweets – and only occasionally falling off my path (to remember why I walk one in the first place). The beauty of it? You quit missing or craving the cakes and brownies of the world after a while. And pretty soon, you’re still a foodie – sure – but only for the healthy stuff that you now associate with energy, an epic complexion, and the slender frame you’ve come to effortlessly own.

(“Byyye, Fat-licia! My life started when I ended our frienemy-ship!”)

So, for the sake of your weight loss path, try asking, “Which type am I?”

Someone with great grazing restraint? Or someone (like me) with no command over their mandible?

Try a bit’ve mindful munching and decide what you can nibble and what needs nixing!