By Tina Haupert
The other day, I received a comment on my blog that really struck me: "It's great that you allow yourself to enjoy a bagel. I'm too afraid to eat them."
Sure, bagels get a bad rap for being full of unrefined carbs and scant on fiber, but being "afraid" of a specific food really confused me at first. It's not like bagels are baked with poison! But the more I thought about this comment, the more it made sense to me.
Like many people trying to lose weight, I used to fear calories and fat. I kept a close eye on my calorie consumption and diligently recorded my workouts each day. While I never put specific foods in the off-limit category, I worried about eating too much of my favorites because my oversize portions were what led to my weight gain. And while losing weight is tough, it's oh-so-easy to gain it all back!
I learned to stick with nutritional superstars like blueberries, spinach, and quinoa. It's hard to be afraid of something that's so good for you! And most importantly, I know that food does not make me fat—it's the type of food and portion size that may make me gain weight.
forbidden-foods-bagel-200.jpg also makes me feel in control.
Pay attention to your tummy
If I choose to eat a less-than-nutritious food, I enjoy it without fear because I pay attention to my satiety cues. I eat my favorite foods in moderation, listen to my body, and stop eating before I am too full. For instance, if I want a brownie sundae for dessert, I can have one. I don't fear it because I know I can enjoy a few bites and not eat every crumb in the bowl.
Do you have food fear? How do you handle it?
Read Tina's daily food and fitness blog, Carrots 'N' Cake.