eat healthily

I’m really happy with my eating habits recently. Being poorly for a couple of weeks seemed to kick my metabolism and appetite to what it should be. I’m eating smaller portions and being satisfied on that; never hungry or lethargic. I still eat treats but far fewer as I’m just not craving them much and I haven’t binged for a month at least. Yay!

I have been slack on eating breakfast recently; just having a glass of water and one of smoothie first thing. I went away for the weekend recently and breakfast was included at the hotel. I knew that I wouldn’t be able to snack easily in the morning so I made sure that I attended and ate. The first day I had grapefruit and orange pieces then some yogurt, tea and fruit juice. The second I had the fruit, then some toast with the tea and juice because I was so hungry.

As my normal life is scheduled differently I haven’t made such a big deal of breakfast since returning home but I bought a can of grapefruit pieces and a jar of other mixed fruits and have had them this week. I know it would be better to prepare my own fresh fruit but it just wont happen in the mornings. Once they are in season I may buy strawberries and just de-stalk in the mornings, that’s not too much effort but I don’t want to do more than that.

I’ll keep trying anyway. I would love to get a healthy balanced routine down then I can deal with stopping eating the less good stuff (I binge on crap sometimes).

I usually eat cheese every Tuesday morning at work with colleagues. It is part of a ritual activity and involves a 20 questions type game to identify the cheese as well.

Recently my appetite and cravings have not colluded with cheeseday so I told the others that I won’t do it anymore.

I am finding it difficult enough to eat right without an additional obligation that isn’t really fun for me anymore. But the responses of my colleagues reminded me how deeply entrenched our social and emotional responses to food are.

I feel better by regaining control. Knowing that this morning I didn’t eat any cheese because I didn’t want to or have to is empowering. The loss of the social aspect is harder to feel positive about but we’re discussing it on Thursday so.

It is difficult right now to balance eating healthily, not wasting food, not spending too much on food, prioritising energy levels (leading to convenint choices.

I recently started smoking again for two weeks (I know. Naughty. But I have stopped properly now). What I liked was the loss in appetite. I ate what and when I wanted to and when it fitted in with my life and wasn’t being driven by hunger and food cravings all the time which make me feel like a victim to my body.

But not smoking is healthier obviously so I won’t do it. Even if I like it and find it fun and useful.

I was thinking of changing this goal temporarily but I can keep the title I think. Basically I do well for vegetables but could do with eating more fruit.

When I went shopping last weekend I bought some strawberries, apples and bananas and have been having some each day. I think it’s been great actually so want to note how good it has made me feel so I’ll remember to do it in future.

Added bonus- the apples and the strawberries were from the UK. I may add fruit to my vege box in the future.

This morning I woke up late so didn’t have time for breakfast. There is a few minutes between my trains so I thought I would buy something from M&S Food on the way to work. Well I did, I bought a mango based smoothie and yogurt with granola for breakfast. Some blueberries and cherries and hummous with crudites for snacks and a pasta salad for lunch. I spent £12 on food for the day.

True I am eating like a queen and am getting lots of F&V portions but the cost is completely unsustainable. I don’t usually spend that in a week on snacks and lunches.

So I feel embarrassed for the expense (and all the packaging) but good about the quality food I am consuming. Perhaps as a one-off this is ok because it is making me feel good which will hopefully lead to me getting back into the kitchen and cooking healthy stuff again.

At the food festival I went to on Saturday there was a local organic box service and I have signed up. They called today to confirm so from tomorrow I am going to have lots of lovely seasonal vegetables to eat. As there will be a lot I’ll not want to waste it so hopefully will eat more healthily as a result.

Recently I have been dire, mainly through laziness: buying croissants on the way to work; chocolate for pudding; instant dinners. So this should be good as I don’t even need to leave the house to get the supply.

Things have improved. Being back at work with a schedule helps, this morning I forgot to take soup to work though which meant I hd to buy lunch which is annoying in three ways. It wasn’t an unhealthy lunch but the soup would have been better and as I made it myself I know what’s in it. Still, I’ll have it later in the week I guess. Not enough fruit today either as I forgot to bring that to work as well. But portions are slowly getting back to a reasonable size and my sweet tooth is less demanding.

I need to get back on the wagon. It was my birthday last week and I drank lots of alcohol and ate a very rich meal. Then cake and hangover food the next day. I have been ravenous since. Maybe my blood sugar is wonky. Anyhow, I need to buy more healthy snacks to keep me full, keep drinking plenty of water and keep batch cooking. My main meals aren’t an issue right now, it’s the extras I need to keep an eye on.

I saw a nutritionist last week and she confirmed a lot of the things I have learned from my readings. She was very interesting though and I’m glad I went. There are just a couple of things I need to add to my diet that she recommended.

Although I feel that I am eating well at the moment I still have a few issues I want to iron out so this stays on the list.