*Trigger warning* Eating for Health and Wellness

[Guest_1055]

I have been struggling eating and eating healthy foods over the last couple of weeks. I really do not want to go back further to how I use to eat, that is eating junk food, takeaways, copious amounts of chocolate, processed junk and comfort eating.

Finding it challenging to stay motivated to actually prepare what I know helps me feel better mentally, emotionally and physically. Plus I have been feeling overwhelmed with other stuff happening in my life, which somehow makes it more challenging. The old unhealthy comfort eating thing is coming back. And I think I am getting concerned and scared about that. I so much do not want to go back to how I use to be. I was so sick. Plus I now have some physical things not right in my body , so I need to be more careful and mindful of what I eat. ( Pre cancer cells , high blood pressure )

I was eating really well since Febuary of this year, it’s just the last couple of weeks I haven’t.

So I would like to use this thread to help me be accountable to Beyond Blue people. So like a diary where I can post and report what I eat. And also any healthy eating tips, motivating strategies to help eat better or anything related to healthy eating for our bodies including our mental health.

[Guest_1055]

Oh I am sorry you are feeling sick Annie. No need to reply to me either. Are you diabetic or anything?

I am glad you do not feel like I let you down.

I will write more when I am able. 🙂

[Clues_Of_Blue]

Good surprise, I hope. 😉 Stopped into the staying well section in case I had something useful to contribute. Yes, I'm getting along okay, aside from a few (surprise surprise) money troubles.

Sometimes convenience can work against us, can't it? Maybe keep your money in a savings account you can't access too easily to buy things on impulse? I have had to learn a few tricks to work around my own weaknesses, and they are good once in place. Oh and yes, I still work in a supermarket. Interestingly, it actually helps me not buy too much food because we have to park miles away and it's a pain to carry it there!

[Guest_2496]

Hi Shelley

No, not diabetic or anything. Just a bit of stress eating going on here (house guests, hectic house at the moment) and so yesterday I ate junk food (alot) that I haven't eaten in ages and today I definitely felt nauseas thanks to that mistake!

onwards we go...

[Guest_1055]

Yes a good surprise. Glad you are getting along ok.

Thankyou for your suggestion about a savings account. I do have an old fashioned book one. Like there is no ATM card attatched to it. Basically that one is a savings. Not many withdrawals come out of it.

I have also emptied any stash of money ( not that there is a lot anyway) from my purse, any compartments in the car where loose change goes, and left my ATM card at home a few times. This has helped me by stopping me from buying fast food. Mainly McDonald’s. What happened was I somehow got myself into a habit. And not a beneficial one. I would drop someone off at the train station on a regular basis. After this I would pop in McDonald’s or other drive through place in the way home. Not good. Anyway this strategy worked quite well, as I had no money in the car or my bag at the time. The habit took a while to break but it did. Though I do occasionally and it’s super rare that this eating out of habit in this circumstance rears it’s destructive head.

I have no idea if you live in the city, small town or rural. But is there no staff parking Blue where you do your grocery shopping?

Anyway thanks for your suggestions. I do appreciate them.

[Guest_1055]

Ok Annie, yeah I understand. Totally get it. 🙂

[Guest_1055]

Because I did meet my goal of eating “ what’s healthy for me” for 3 days. I started again. Same goal, same time frame. Currently on day 2.

I premade a snack a couple of days ago. So when and if I felt like a snacky thing. Well it would be in the fridge already. A backup. First time making it too.

It was crunchy curried chickpeas. Oh so good. Felt like I was eating a packet of cold potato chips. Lots of fibre and good protein in them. Will make again.

Tip... prep ahead for the times you are not motivated to cook. Or if you are craving a junk food snack then there is a healthy one or several already prepared for you to munch on.

[Clues_Of_Blue]

Good to hear that limiting the cash flow has helped you kick a bad habit. Go you! The pre-made snacks and meals are really good work, too. I do that sort of thing myself, though largely because I don't have much cash and to make sure I have proper nutrition since I've been vegetarian - quick, nutritious and cheap options on the go are still fairly few and far between. The crunchy curried chickpeas sound great, would you mind sharing the recipe?

To answer your question, I'm a city dweller. The shopping centre I work at decided to give the car park a 3 hour limit some years back, and left very few and far away parks for staff. I don't even bother, I just park on the street. Frankly I've come to prefer it, as there are trees and birds to look at when I park instead of concrete. Bit of a walk to work, though. I'm sure the exercise does me no harm.

[Guest_1055]

Ah ok I understand about the parking thing. And you are right the walking would be super good for you. Have you still got your birds then? Or was it only one bird? Cannot remember.

And you are vegetarian, is this a new thing to save on money or have you always eaten that way?

And what foods to you normally eat? Do you eat dairy and eggs.

Those chickpeas thingys are so delicious. Canned chickpeas a pretty inexpensive too. Dried even more so. Though you properly already know that hey!

I got the recipe online, so I will find the link for it. And paste it in here for you.

[Guest_1055]

Crunchy curried chickpeas recipe

https://cookingwithplants.com/recipe/crunchy-curried-chickpeas/

[Clues_Of_Blue]

Yes Shelley, still have my birds (two of them). They are well and happy, and full of mischief. 🙂

I went vegetarian not quite two years ago. An ethical choice, not a financial one. Wasn't sure how it would effect my health being as I was brought up on a farm where meat was the predominant food source, but being the animal lover that I am, thought it was worth trying.

I do still eat dairy and eggs (always free range), try and source my foods from ethically responsible companies.

Thanks for the recipe, will give it a try when maple syrup is in the budget (not this week, sadly). Yes, chickpeas are cheap and nutritionally great. I make falafels on a semi-regular basis, and they're really good with roast veg. I make them as patties rather than balls, so they're handy to use as burgers, too. Happy to share the recipe if you're interested.