*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 Annie, hope you feel better real soon.

I am unsure how to respond to what you said about seeing your body how you saw it. But I will say that I was around 95 kg about 4 years ago. And I think I was in denial too. I was extremely unhealthy and unfit in every way. And I was more depressed then ever. I did not care about myself much at all.

Anyway it is all possible you can do this. Sorry if that sounded like a lecture.

So do you know the reasons you want to eat healthy, like your own personal whys?

[Guest_2496]

Thanks Shelley that sounded like encouragement not a lecture. Yes I want to get around easier, feel healthier.

I am going away again for a couple of days but when I get back I will make a big pot of vegetable soup base and freeze in portions.

[Guest_1055]

Ha ha Annie, I believe I am chasing you. 🙂 Just wrote something on the walking thread to you.

Oh good, glad it came across as encouragement. That was my intention.

Your whys are great. Can you go deeper then that at all? Like you want to move more easily around but why so? I learnt about the personal whys in that health and cooking course I did last year. We were asked this too.

Mm soup yummy

[Clues_Of_Blue]

Shelley, sorry you had a difficult day. Can I ask, was it a physical or emotional craving that got you eating Oreos, or both? Physically, I think you're eating some really good things but some days maybe not getting enough balance of protein and carbs in with your veggies, which could leave you feeling unsatisfied and/or still hungry. I've found I have to be careful to have at least two really solid meals a day with a good protein source (chickpeas, lentils, tofu, Quorn products), carbs (potato, rice, pasta) and of course veggies, which you're definitely on top of. The third meal is usually a bit lighter. I try to get in the most solid meal at the start of the day to give me energy and not find myself flagging and hungry - it can lead to a day of bad choices if I'm not careful, so I try and keep meals ready in the fridge for the morning. For that matter, the physical and emotional are closely linked for me - if I eat well I am more mentally fortified for dealing with things that come up throughout the day and if I don't, I struggle a lot harder with everything. Perhaps you experience something similar? Hopefully that doesn't sound like a lecture, just hope my experience with food can help you with yours.

Ms Purple, I am actually familiar with Lacteeze, but glad you brought it up if anyone else on here needs some pointers for lactose intolerance. I'm lucky enough to be fairly mildly afflicted - I can drink a little milk (enough to have a small cappuccino without too much discomfort, but stop at that) and eat as much cheese as I like, just need to go easy on creamy things. With that in mind, Lacteeze is a bit expensive for this dirt poor creature when soy milk does just fine, but it's great for people like my brother, who has a lot more trouble with dairy products than I do.

[Guest_1055]

Good Morning Blue, hope you are feeling much better yourself today.

Yeah it could well be both. Plus habitual. I know I have been feeling sad over the last few days, plus some other emotional struggles are happening. So definitely some emotional eating there.

As for feeling hungry. I mostly get the hunger feeling after I exercise a lot. For me it's different to the craving feeling. So oreos were a craving. However the satisfied feeling feels different again. Late yesterday I made another hazelnut milk drink. After drinking that I felt satisfied. Maybe its the healthy fats in that?

I do intermittent fasting some days. So I will not eat after 8pm the night before. Then not eat again until somewhere around midday. So no breakfast. (I do that as I am healing my body from a few things)

Sorry Blue, my brain is really scattered. I can hardly think straight. And I am unsure if I answered your question either.

I will come back. And lecture, nope.

[Guest_1055]

Breakfast today

Porridge (oats, water, soy milk) topped with tin peaches and 1 tablespoon ground flax seeds. 1 mandarine

Blue I decided to eat more for breakfast and see how I go with that. So far no cravings what so ever.

[Clues_Of_Blue]

Hey Shelley. Yes, glad to say I'm feeling a lot better, today. Was back at work yesterday.

There are a lot of factors, by the sound of it. I think you're doing some pretty good work on improving habits though, simple repetition is key there. I don't know about other threads or friends in your life, have you discussed the things making you sad with anyone, or tried writing them down when you're feeling that way? I think everyone here would agree this is a good space to do so, if you need. Diverting the energy of those feelings will help you to not go straight to food for comfort.

There are so many ways to feel hungry, it's a job to keep up with them all! I'm glad the hazelnut milk helps you feel satisfied, healthy fats are good but it will also have some good protein and possibly even feel a little indulgent when it isn't really. I can see a lot of benefits to it. 🙂

You said the fasting was to help with healing from some things. I am a little concerned it may have the opposite effect though, have you had medical advice about that? Apologies if that is an insulting question, not intended thus.

All good, you answered it.

Porridge is great for breakfast, and the seeds and fruit. Glad you're craving free so far today, it's good. 🙂

[Guest_1055]

Yes the hazelnut milk does taste indulgent. I made a chocolate one. Super yummo. I have some other nuts here, so I am experimenting nut milks at the moment.

Glad you are feeling much better Blue. That would be a relief for you, I am guessing.

About the fasting. It is quite common and an alternative way to heal one's body from this particular thing that I have been told I have. Most conventional doctors would properly not agree. Please do not concern yourself in regards to me there. I am in a couple of online support type groups for this as well.

As for the sadness. I do not feel comfortable discussing it further on BB. If I focus on it too much and dwell on it, it can make me feel more self pity. I do do writing sometimes, pray and also talk with my sister sometimes. Thanks for caring Blue.

[Guest_1055]

Sometimes I came across statements or quotes that other people say. What about this one:

Tip for the Day

"Even if it takes you several months to achieve your aims, your perseverance will be rewarded by an improved quality of life and real, permanent change. Keep looking back to see how far you have come, rather than concerning yourself with how far you have to go."

[Guest_1055]

Dinner tonight- end of the shopping week, so just used what I had left. Came up with this pasta meal :

Chickpea spaghetti, tofu, spinach, tomato, onion, parsley, nutritional yeast, vegan beef stock