We often make decisions around food on emotion. We are impulsive and act without intent. When food choices were limited, when our environment was not obesegenic, when availability for highly palatable foods were low this wasn’t an issue. Unfortunately the world today is not conducive to impulsive food choice.
This is where skill development becomes so important. Mindfulness practice, cognitive oversight (calorie counting, macros, points), and education are all aspects of skill development. One tool that I find especially effective is “thinking it through”.
When faced with a decision on food, one that may not align with your values, think through the short and long term. How will this decision affect you in 5 mins? 10 mins? A week? A month? A year?
How will you feel physically? How will you feel emotionally? Is there an alternative activity that might satisfy the same urges?
Do everything with intent. Understand consequence and either accept it and continue or change paths. We have control over our choices even if it seems we don’t. It is one of the few things we actually can control. And that’s very empowering.
