How Food Perceptions Can Help (Or Hurt) You

Welcome to Diet and Fitness Podcast, a free audio podcast sponsored by Diet.com. This is your fit, fun, and fabulous host, Lady Diet, ready to give you the skinny on the latest diet fitness health tips and news.

Did you know that your perceptions about food and eating can significantly impact the results of your diet? It sounds obvious, right? But take another look. How many times do you make excuses when it comes to your diet, even when you’re not really hungry or you’re not really craving something? Whether you’re eating something because it’s free or you’re cleaning your plate just so you won’t be wasteful, your excuses can really sneak on a few extra pounds that you probably would rather live without.

Here are four tips for moving past common misconceptions about food.

1)Have you ever taken seconds (or thirds or fourths) of something just to be polite, even if you weren’t really hungry for more? On a trip to the Cook Islands, I discovered that some cultures, like the Polynesians, will consider it a rejection if you don’t help yourself to more. The food was certainly amazing on my trip, but my diet didn’t care. Avoiding this sort of diet situation is tough whether you’re in a cultural situation or you’re at your grandma’s house and you don’t want to disappoint her. My suggestion is to stay true to yourself and respectfully decline – explain why, if you have to, that you’re watching what you’re eating. Remember to send your compliments to the chef if you enjoyed the meal! Be honest to your host and your stomach.

2)Special occasions can easily be excuses to let loose with your diet! There’s nothing wrong with indulging every once and awhile – in fact, I encourage it, because if you deprive yourself of sweets and other favorites, that craving is going to build and build until you end up overindulging! But my point is that when a bunch of special occasions start popping up – I’m talking dinner dates, parties, office luncheons, an after-hours cocktail, you name it – those special occasion calories are going to add up quickly! My best piece of advice is to practice good, stable nutrition at all times – this takes time and practice, but your diet will thank you for it. If you’re always craving these special restaurant foods, maybe it’s because your current diet at home is a little less than satisfying. Remember to have a well-balanced meal of whole grains, something with filling power like vegetables, and a source of protein, wherever you are so you stay satisfied.

3)Eating something just because it’s free or really cheap is an excuse so many of us make, myself included. How about all those doughnuts in the office calling your name? People also have this mentality at buffets because they serve food all-you-can-eat style for a set price. Got to get your money’s worth, right? But what about your diet’s worth? Ask yourself if you would eat that extra free food if it weren’t free. Chances are you’d have a different approach.

4)So many of us have grown up with the mentality that we shouldn’t waste food. Then we end up eating things we don’t like or just don’t feel like eating. Dieters, it’s not worth it! All the food you didn’t waste is going to end up going to your own waist! Don’t think of throwing out that extra food as wasting it – you’ll feel guilty, and you shouldn’t have to. If you find yourself having more than enough food left over, try reducing serving sizes when you’re cooking from a recipe. If you’re dining out, either save half of your meal for lunch the next day, or just let it go.

Check your daily diet and work at seeing past those common food misconceptions and eating! The tips I mentioned in today’s podcast are all part of practicing healthy choices and building a healthy lifestyle. Make baby steps today with your diet and see bigger results (and smaller dress sizes) in the future.

If you have any comments or suggestions about today’s podcast, or any fun health diet or fitness tips, please feel free to email me at LadyDietPodcast at dietdotcom.

This is Lady Diet signing off…