All or Nothing

Have you ever noticed when you go on a diet how it's all or nothing? Some diets you can't ever eat bread, bagels or pasta. Some you can't eat any fat at all. In others sugar is completely taboo. The list goes on. This mindset is detrimental to a diet because by depriving yourself of the things you like (i.e. pizza, ice cream, snickers, etc.) you are only setting yourself up for a binge. Our bodies are pretty smart and if you are craving something, there is probably a good physiological reason for it. For example if you are craving potato chips the sodium levels in your body may be off or if you are craving ice cream your body may be asking for some calcium. The trick is finding healthy alternatives for those cravings and finding a balance between eating healthy most of the time and allowing yourself the occasional treat. If you build a treat into your diet weekly or even daily, you'll be more apt to stick to healthy eating the rest of the time and greatly decrease your chances of a binge. When most people are on a diet and "cheat" they tend to give up - this is where the all or nothing comes in. So if you go to a party and eat all the pigs-in-a-blanket in sight - it's o.k. You aren't doomed to a lifetime of failed diets. Diets don't work anyway because they imply something that you go on and off. Healthy eating should be a lifestyle change but don't get carried away or take it too seriously. Have ice cream and french fries once in a while!!