Eating until full or satisfied- what a novel idea! My girls know, naturally when to quit eating why do I not?! They eat their fill and then they are done. They can't, won't and don't (even if I would allow it) eat a whole bag of M&M's or cookies. They choose tomatoes, raisins or carrots over sweets most of the time (which is so wonderful- I am proud of them). Now, me on the other hand- I actually have to actively deny and prevent myself from inhaling a bag of cookies or whatever (I am having major cravings for sweet things specifically chocolate lately- don't really know why). At least I now have various incentives (like not gaining all the weight back :)) and tools to help me not fall back in these eating pitfalls and habits.
If and when does this ability to know our intake limits leave for some of us? I can't really remember when I really started having moderation problems related to food. We hardly had "bad" food in the house growing up so I didn't grow up with poor eating habits. I assume it happened around puberty? Is it hormonal? Is it stuff in our food? Is it emotional? Is it environmental? What is it? How can I help my girls not lose those bodily cues that help us with self-control in relation to eating?
Just a food related thought I have been thinking as of late and wanted to share...
I can remember telling my mother at the dinner table, that I was full, but she would tell me to finish my plate, because there were children starving in India. She wouldn't let us get up until we had cleaned our plates. In essence, she was telling us to ignore the 'full' cues. I'm not saying that that is the reason I'm overweight now, I'm sure there are many others, but I do remember that. I can remember being around 15-16 years old, and my sister telling me to eat more than one ice cream treat, so mother wouldn't discover the fact that we had bought them. We had to eat the whole box of ice cream sandwiches before Mother got home, so we wouldn't get in trouble. That was the first time I can recall knowing that other people ate more than one thing at a time.
ReplyDeleteYou obviously have been raising your girls in a very healthy and wonderful way, for them to prefer a healthy tomato over a cookie! And to listen to their bodies as to when they are full and have had enough. What a great Mom you are! Those lessons will be with them for the rest of their lives!
I think losing the ability to feel full/stop eating when we are full is the result of a little bit of everything. I can look at my past and see exactly how my problem with binge eating evolved. You learn to use food to ease isolation, boredom and strees. I believe the artificial sweeteners in diet foods make people crave more sweet food. Also, there's a list of ailments that intensify cravings...Add it all together and you got a problem.
ReplyDeleteI'm really endeavoring to NOT force my daughter to eat. I do require her to taste everything on her plate and eat her veggies first (I don't give her a lot, and she's good about eating them) but as for everything else I try not to sweat it.
ReplyDeleteWow. That is something that Tom and I are trying to instill in our kids, too. That is a hard one, but the one thing I am thinking of relates to stress. I think I crave more carbs when I am stressed and if I can teach my children to deal with their stress more healthily, maybe then they won't turn to food. I think you are doing a great job so far. Keep it up!
ReplyDeleteHi, I have read your disclaimer, and no i wont blame you for your suggestion. Its just i am following Dr simeons recommendation and would need your advice on this. I am also going to use their products. can you please give your comments on it. http://www.hcgdietsource.com/hcg-diet-planning.html
ReplyDeleteI know exactly what you are talking about, and I feel the same way. I am only on Rd1 of P3, and its been easy since I have only limited choices in limited amts...very easy for my brain to process. But I am so worried about P3 and 4...I am motivated, so I will get there, despite my mind challenging me...my plan is just to stick with whole foods, and not worry about how much I eat, since I wont have all of those terrible addictive chemicals wandering around in my insides...
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I'm in the process of writing a book on HCG success stories...including before and after pics, background, tips/tricks, and recipes, and I was wondering if you would like to be interviewed/be a contributer? You can reach me at kellymn72@yahoo.com or via my blog mymomtris.com . Would love for you to be a part of it!
Good post. But I dont have the answers as i am still trying to figure this all out. Learning to only eat when i am hungry. Trying to recognize true hunger from just wanting to eat. but at same time not getting so hungry that I just grab anything just convenient. I try and not buy stuff anymore that is considered BAD food and we know there is alot out there. Unfortunately my girls are grown but my really bad habits started after they were out of the house. I belive mine was more of an emotional eating.
ReplyDeleteYou have made major lifestyle changes which will be a real benefit for your daughters. How great is that. Giving your girls the gift of health and wholeness.