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Alternative Health & Healing: Lose Weight Permanently: Stop the Endless Cycle of Dieting
The Bread Binge
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by Rena Greenberg |
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Earlier this summer I went on a 12-day cruise to the Mediterranean. Since I’ve had the good fortune of cruising regularly for the last ten years, I was well aware of one of the possible pitfalls of cruising—the unlimited supply of scrumptious foods.
At first I simply enjoyed the delight of being at sea with my family, selecting the healthy foods that I am accustomed to eating. In the early days of the trip, I noticed my familiar pattern of avoiding the bread for the first few days, as it is what I habitually do when I am at home. However, before long I found myself giving in to the delicious taste of warm fresh rolls, as the cruise ship sailed on from port to port.
What was most interesting to me was that while I was avoiding the simple carbohydrates, I never had any desire for them. I was perfectly content with my oatmeal in the morning, large colorful salads for lunch and dinner, along with an ample amount of animal protein—including meat, chicken, fish and eggs, and a sufficient amount of olive oil to top my salad and satisfy my innate urge for healthy fat. This is the way I eat at home, and this seems to be the diet that keeps me in optimal health. What struck me is that as soon as I let my body go out of balance by introducing the white bread, I immediately began to crave more of the same. It’s almost as if I became a bottomless pit.
Even though I wasn’t necessarily acting on my urges, I began to fantasize about the roll I was going to eat at the next meal. I literally started to salivate prior to the bread being served, imagining the comforting sensation of hot treats with butter. I found myself struggling and using willpower to control my intake. Because I go through this ritual once or twice a year on my cruising vacations, I wasn’t too alarmed, although I did feel uncomfortable. I had the benefit of my past experiences to reassure me that once I got back to my usual environment and eliminated bread and simple carbs from my diet completely, the out-of-control feeling would dissolve.
This is, in fact, exactly what occurred. On the long flight (actually three flights) back to my Florida home, I continued to indulge in fast travel food—including pizza and sandwiches. However, as soon as I returned, I immediately resumed my regular, healthy way of eating. Balance is the key to health—but it must be a balance of whole, unprocessed, water-rich foods, as much as possible.
At the grocery store and natural foods market, I filled my cart with an array of colorful vegetables, including plenty of raw greens. I stocked up on healthful animal protein—which is the only food that truly keeps my blood sugar steady. As always, I avoided the processed meats, in favor of the fresh, hormone-free and antibiotic-free cuts. Knowing that as long as I don’t put sugary sauces on my meat and fish, I stay free of urges for sweet foods that will ultimately create havoc with my blood sugar (and weight), I steered clear of any tempting bottles that may have been lurking on the supermarket shelves.
Along with the protein and vegetables, I picked up the ingredients to my healthy, delicious salad dressing—2 parts flax seed oil, to 1 part apple cider vinegar (to keep the blood alkaline), with a splash of Bragg Liquid Amino Acids (an alcohol-free soy sauce available at the health food store). I flavor the dressing with fresh or dried herbs, that I keep on hand.
Finally, to balance my whole system and keep me free from those horrible food cravings, I added to my cart a small amount of complex carbohydrate such as whole grains, whole grain pasta and root vegetables such as potatoes or butternut squash. Typically when I am in a state of balance, the sweetness of these complex carbohydrates, in moderation and balanced with the above selections, is just enough to satisfy me, without producing any cravings.
After shopping and settling in at home, I went back to my typical routine of waking up in the morning, having a fiber drink and taking a long walk enjoying the fresh air and beautiful natural scenery. As the day went on I ate the healthful food I had purchased and drank lots of fresh, distilled water. If the thought of bread crept into my mind, as it invariably would for the first few days I was back on land—since it was now in my system—I reminded myself that I am a person who does not eat bread except in very special circumstances. To avoid any feeling of deprivation, I lovingly remembered the long-term effect of sugar on my body. Bread was not as innocent as it may appear. Rather, it is a door-opener to food addiction for me—specifically insatiable cravings for sweet tastes.
Within a few days, I was back into my old routine. I was thoroughly enjoying the satisfying taste of oatmeal with almond butter, ground flax seeds, and sea salt in the morning. My body was getting back into a balanced state and signaling me to let me know it was hungry. For me, that’s not so much a grumbling stomach, but a feeling that my blood sugar is dipping coupled with a feeling of being spacey. When I get that sensation, I know it’s time to eat. A huge bowl of spring mix greens topped with ample flax seed oil—rich in omega-3—salmon, pecans and goat cheese completely hits the spot. Because this way of eating becomes habitual, I’m able to prepare these salads and take them with me very easily and quickly. To me, it would be more effortful to try and find healthy food that I enjoyed as much, while I was out and about. If I have a craving for sweetness, I fill it with a banana, sweet potato or carrot.
When I imagine the alternative—living with the constant guilt and obsession of food addiction, not to mention the accompanying health problems—I feel completely committed to this healthful, balanced way of eating. I shudder when I recall earlier times in my life when my entire day revolved around the sugary, stimulating foods I was fixated on. Because I include sufficient amounts of fat in my diet, the food I am eating tastes delicious.
I thoroughly enjoy the luxury of cruising, including the thrill of the interesting array of foods to partake in. However, I am even more grateful for the ability to come home, select healthy food in a balanced way, and experience the joy of being in control of my life, exercise and eating habits. Yes, it’s completely possible to walk past a bakery and not even bat an eye . . . all the while anticipating those delicious veggies with protein you get to eat the next time you feel hungry. |
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Rena Greenberg,
Author, Practitioner of Neuro Linguistic Programming, & Hypnotherapist
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Rena Greenberg is the Founder and Director of Wellness Seminars, Inc, which provides weight loss programs for over100 major corporations and city governments, including over 75 Florida and Michigan hospitals.
She is a graduate of City University of New York at Brooklyn College. Rena Greenberg’s wellness programs have been featured in many television and radio news features.
Ms. Greenberg holds two certifications in hypnosis from The Eastern NLP Institute and the National Guild of Hypnotists, as well as national biofeedback certification from the Biofeedback Certification Institute of America. She is also a certified Practitioner of Neuro Linguistic Programming and an ordained Minister.
Rena Greenberg is the author of The Right Weigh: Six Steps to Permanent Weight Loss used by over 100,000 People (Hay House, January 2006).
Email:
wellnessseminars@aol.
com
Web:
www.easywillpower.com
Read an excerpt
of Rena's new book:
The Right Weigh: Six Steps to Permanent Weight Loss
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You'll find it in
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