Although my body may not need a deep-fried Twinkie more than
once a decade, it still is not bad food.
A typical myth I enjoy “busting” is the idea that some foods are good
and others are bad—and that’s not exactly true.
This is, however, the kind of thinking that keeps us trapped in fat
connections with our bodies. Most of us
in a weight battle are desperate to identify which food we can eat and which we
should stoically shun. Have you ever
felt that way? While there certainly are
higher-quality fuel items than a fried Twinkie, the truth is we need all groups
to become balanced, including treats. We
become out of balance just as quickly with too much salad and not enough carbs
as we do with the reverse. And yes,
Twinkies are carbs. The proof of this
need for treats is evident in the fact that after two weeks on any diet our
denial rises to a fever pitch and we become unfit for human companionship. We find ourselves alone in a parked car
outside the grocery store eating doughnuts with abandon, knowing full well we
will flog ourselves with guilt when it is over.
This is the thinking of fat people.
This keeps us in a weight battle.
In order to live effortlessly at an ideal weight we need to
live without restriction and become balanced. Balance means fueling
our bodies with exact proportions of fuel groups you need that day. Plant fuel is premium because it just gives
us more nutrition, than say, pork rinds.
But we also need to round out the day with varying quantities of dairy,
meat, fruit, oils, and treats. Some days
we need more of one and less of another—but in general they all combine to give
us balance. Experience the freedom that
comes from recognizing all food is there for our use. There is no bad food, only choosing to live
in balance or out-of-balance. Too much
chicken is going to make us feel saturated and heavy. Too much broccoli will result in gas and
indigestion. Too much bread will create
bloating and constipation. Too much
pie…well, we can all relate to too much pie.
To boost a metabolism that gives us wiggle room for parties, holidays,
and travel eating, live in balance each day with the correct amount of each
group. Select with intention your
treats, meat, oils, and dairy. Never feel
guilty about having a treat (or ribs, or cheese, or butter...whatever) when you need it.
There is powerful chemistry produced in our minds when we feel satisfied
and live without restriction. This
chemistry allows our bodies to prompt us more clearly on what we need and how
much of it we require to produce a continual cycle of balance. Have a cookie. Go ahead.
Tres Hatch is the author of Miracle Pill 10 Truths to Healthy, Thin, & Sexy
