Relationship with Food.......xpost in VSGMG

Thank you Frisco, insightful post.  I think we all different reasons for our coats of fat a,nd for some of us it takes years and years of overeating to discover why.  I personally have known why I over eat and yes, I hoard food too.  I think each of us must get there in our own way and understanding in order to leave that comforting "coat" behind.  I think that some of us end up gaining our weight back because we didn't learn why we had that relationship with food and begin the cycle again.  This journey for me has had to be a journey still filled with introspection, self investigation, forgivness not only of others but of myself and then a rebuilding of my character.  I had and still have to find a new way of approaching and looking at food as a partner and not as a close personal friend.  It's a constant work in progress but I think I'm getting a handle on it.. as you so wonderfully said "work with food ....and food will work with you" .

I want you to know I enjoy your food posts. I can't eat that stuff yet because I'm on mushies, but I will be able to and I love how you make healthy, body sustaining food look appealing. It is a very positive spin on food, and if it tempts us to eat things that fill our sleeves with healthy foods that's great.

You always do wonderful presentations on the plate, and I think that's wonderful.

I'm working on thinking of good foods as my friend. I've always been addicted to carbs - man, I can eat some pasta and breads. Your posts make the kinds of foods I should be friends with look desirable, and I will be trying some of them as I advance on my diet.

You're not tempting us to eat, you're tempting us to eat well and to enjoy the taste, texture and appearance.

Thanks for such a great post, Frisco!  I am right there with the responder who said she is not an adventurous cook...when I see your food pix, it shows me (better than reading in a recipe book) how a healthy, good tasting food item looks.  Please don't stop those posts!  I am learning that food really IS a good thing and is necessary (but not a necessary evil!).  You are helping educate all of us here by providing great food for thought...Thanks!

Take care,  Viv 

AMEN Frisco!! I honestly think I have finally came to gripps with a lot of my food issues that I have had for an entire lifetime and I am in a very good place, mentally. Does that mean I will never binge again, no but I am more aware of what I put in my mouth!

I no longer look at ANY food as bad but I do look at where it belongs in my diet. My surgeons nurse had a really good suggestion at our last support group. She said we should look at foods like a stop light. Green light foods are our dense proteins, low carb fresh veggies/fruits (yes fruits!!) and dairy (cottage cheese, yogurt, cheese, etc). Yellow light foods are our less dense proteins, higher carb veggies/fruits (again yes fruits!!). The Red light foods are those ever once in while treats/no nutritional value foods. So when planning my food for the day I make myself look at the stop light to make sure I'm getting a balanced diet (more green than yellow and very rarily red). 

I actually have red light foods in my house right now. Cheez-its & Blue Bell Ice cream (not 1 but 2 1/2 gallon cartons). So far so good!! I've had the family size Cheez-its for a couple of three weeks. If I want some now and then it's ok as long as I count out the serving and it fits into my daily calories. With the Blue Bell I do not allow myself to have any UNLESS I have walked my 3-5 miles 2 or 3 nights in a row. If I havent, then I cannot have it.

Now I know me and I have been very firm with myself in regards to these red light foods. If I EVER binge on these, then they are out and will NEVER be allowed back in my house. It's my tough love to myself so if I want my treats now and then it's ok but if I abuse my rules then it's out.
 
I am def not saying I am cured but I have come a long way with my food addictions. Hope everyone else finds a way to slay their dragons!!

Debby

I really like the stoplight analogy that your NUT uses - thanks for sharing!

Excellent post, Frisco. Thank you for sharing. I personally hope that you keep posting pics of what you're eating - they're great inspiration for me to get out of my food ruts! Please include your recipes, too!