eat healthier

I was amazed to find I didn’t overstuff myself yesterday, and I saved what I couldn’t eat that afternoon for dinner last night.

No Clean Plate Club for me; I am learning to listen to my body again.

I am so much more aware now of what I eat. I don’t deny myself the occasional treat, but eating more fruits, vegetables, and other whole foods just feels right.

It’s beginning to show.

...is finger food portions.

Lately, if I eat from a salad bar, I just take out the individual pieces—cherry tomatoes, baby corn, etc.—and skip the dressing. Granted, I’m missing some lettuce and spinach this way, but I avoid a lot of the calories. I do this for buffet fare as well; I choose morsel sizes and try to pick healthier options.

It is a good means of portion control, satisfies my inner little boy, and I am much less likely to overeat.

No, the fried catfish and hushpuppies weren’t that terribly healthy, but (as I’ve written elsewhere) I walked to the farmers market with my daughter and brought back fruits and vegetables that I know everyone likes, and we all had some for lunch.

The last time I lost a significant amount of weight, I was very strict about my eating habits. It was hard to maintain after several months, and gradually I slid back and regained it all, and then some.

So… I allow myself small opportunities to eat junk food once in a while. I have a chance to observe, again, that I don’t feel so well after eating it. I try to practice moderation; to have that small bit to remember, without overdoing it.

I admit, I eat for emotional reasons sometimes. I try to take more time to account for how I am feeling, and the circumstances involved.

cf. Nutritional goals

It is difficult sometimes to go for food that is whole and less processed, but I find now, as I did in the past, that I feel better—less lethargic—if I choose to eat such.

It also makes it easier to shed excess body fat.

I am doing okay. I still eat junky food occasionally—I’m just cutting back on it, gradually.

My wife started getting in the habit of getting raw cut veggies to eat.

I decided we’d put that veggie tray dish to use and start putting stuff in it.

Today, I saved a little money by getting produce that wasn’t pre-cut up. It allowed me to make a little more variety, too: radishes, unpeeled carrots, and cucumbers in addition to grape tomatoes and broccoli.