*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 so glad you are cat sitting Sleepy. Is she good company for you then?

That loving earth chocolate powder sounds really yummy. I just did a search for it. And looked at the ingredients list. I most likely will buy some when I am able to.

The hot chocolate I make is yes... nice, warm and soothing. It does not seem to badly affect me like the refined sugar kinds. I like almond milk as well. The brand "nutty Bruce" is my favourite. Have you heard of that one? I only buy that one on occasions as it can be costly. But it is super yummy. One day I will have a go at making my own.

And yes feeling depressed can definitely make it a challenge to even care what you eat. And sometimes I cannot even be bothered... as it feels like what is the point. Am I understanding you alright? Like on the same page? I am thinking I may roast a few sweet potatoes ahead of time. Then at least there is something quick and easy in the fridge . And you don't have to think much.

The oaty seed bread is one I make from a recipe in a book called Natural Harry. That was the first time I had actually made it. The other day that is. It is a heavier type bread. With lots of yummy seeds in it. I felt nourished after eating some.

Ooh so very happy for you that you are looking after a kitty.

[Guest_1055]

My food diary today...

I did not eat much all morning. I drank water. And ate 3 dried figs. Someone suggested them on here. I am sorry I cannot remember your name. But if you are reading Thankyou. I really like them. And they satisfied the crave for something sweet this morning.

Lunch... I had subway . Falafel, spinach, lettuce, tomato, carrot, capsicum and cucumber. I got double tomato as it goes well with the spicey of the falafel. I had it on rye bread. Properly not the best choice for me there, as I am pretty sure it has wheat in it. Which does not like me. And some pineapple juice (no added sugar kind)

Later I had snack chocolate 180gm block👎👎 Just had a craving for it in the afternoon. I was not feeling particularly sad at the time. I just had an intense craving for it.

Dinner.... Homemade sweet and sour vegetables with brown basmati rice. ( onion, cauliflower, carrot, red and green capsicum, celery, zucchini, garlic, ginger) Sauce (pineapple juice, red wine vinegar, garlic powder, maple syrup, tamari)

2 mandarines

3 dates.

Need to drink more water

[Guest_1055]

Ah ok I understand MM. I think I am in the obsese category now as well. Which I hate. I dislike my body so much like this. It makes me so much more tired and sluggish. I guess the junk would contributed to the that as well.

The last time I checked I was 82kg. I want to get back down to around 60kg or so. Which is a healthy weight personally for me.

I wonder if you could take another med, one that does not affect you like that? Maybe

[monkey_magic]

Hi Shell,

I won't say how much I weigh...well ok...I'm double what you are. I rem sitting on 80kgs and would love to be back there. I honestly think the meds have done permanent damage to my system. I've read that they do as well.

Today I ate;

2 slices toast with Vegemite
Honey chicken, fried rice, satay beef, salad, cheesecake
2 slices bday cake ( black forest)
4 slices toast with Vegemite.

It was my grandmothers bday and we went out.

Normally ( b4 the meds) I could eat this and lose weight.

Felt really bad about myself today. Saw myself in a photo and wanted to die.

[Guest_1055]

I wonder if anything can be done or you can do something to help your body heal your system. That would be good.

And at least you can get yourself in a photo. I struggle with that. And have for a long time. Felt ugly. And don't know how to hold myself.

Happy birthday to your Grandma.

Just thinking there is certain foods you can eat to boost your metabolism. Wonder if that would help your body or make a difference or anything. Cannot remember what they are at the moment

[Guest_1055]

Yep can totally relate to the eating when sad or upset. Feeling angry... I am not sure about whether I eat junk then or not.

And no I don't think it's weird eating soups and smoothies a lot Quirky. Smoothies can be super quick to make. And there are so many types you can blend up. Soup you can make a batch of it, put it away in the fridge and simply reheat when you want some.

Pretty clever actually Quirky.

[Guest_1055]

Hello, nice to met you.

And yeah it couldn't hurt to try eating soups for breakfast. It sounds like an adventure to me. Have you been on a website called simple green smoothies at all? She has loads of recipes not only for cold smoothies but there are recipes for a few warm ones. If you don't have much motivation to cook either a soup or one of those would be easier I am thinking. She also has an app that I have. It's quite good and fun to use. Think her name is Jen.

Gee that book does sound interesting. The title of it. Does it go a bit into fibre do you remember? And how that helps? Reason that I ask is because when I went months and months eating tons of fibre and no junk or processed foods, well I did feel so much better mentally and physically. Incredibly better.

I have heard that the gut is like another brain. I don't quite understand that. Maybe it talks about that in the book too?

And when you think about it, when some of us feel anxious well it can trigger a physical change in your body... you can feel sick.

Think I would like to read that book too.

Anyway nice yo met you

[josh1245]

hey shell yes I can relate to you in a way I would like to tell a little bit about me maybe so you can see some common things and we can work through there maybe. I grew up with an abusive dad and he constantly put me down everyday and when I became a teenager I became overwhelmed by all these feelings that I didn't understand I had low- self esteem and didn't like myself but I still ate healthy because I was boxing and fighting interstate and I was training all the time and watched what I ate but last year I started year 12. at the start of the year last year I went through a bad depressive episode and I wasn't doing any school work and I was failing but something came over me and I said to myself I will stop boxing this year ill stop everything else and ill give everything to year 12 and I got through and im in my dream course this year and Im happy but to cope with the stress in year 12 I overate and I didn't eat the best foods and I put on a bit of weight so I can relate.

[Guest_1055]

Food diary for today....

Porridge with soy milk and coconut sugar.

1 litre of fresh juice ( cucumber, celery, apple, spinach, ginger, lime)

6 Ferrero rochers chocolates and 180 gm snack chocolate 👎👎😭not beneficial. I did not feel particularly sad, or alone. Perhaps a bit of boredom and strong cravings for it. Took it it my bedroom and scoffed it down in there while watching ytube.

Dinner.... Salad bowl (roast tiny potatoes, roast capsicum, roasted onion with a few handfuls of baby green salad leaves) Dressing (roast red capsicum, water, roasted garlic, cashews, lemon juice, salt blended up)

Hot chocolate... One like the other nights

[Guest_1055]

Hey Josh..

I am sorry you grew up with an abusive dad. And that he kept putting you down. It breaks my heart. And I can sort of see how it may contribute to a low self esteem. He did not treat you with love and kindness. So sorry Josh. And also perhaps all these feelings were squished down inside of you when you were a little boy. Then some sort of were released out.

I think I use to do that, just squish down emotions and feelings when I was little. Nothing was addressed when I was a little girl. Then in my earlier years of marriage they exploded out. I did not even know the names of the feelings or how to handle them. The emotion of my own anger actually scared me.

I have learnt pretty much how to deal with that emotion. But I hardly ever feel it now anyway.

That is good you ate healthy while boxing and fighting. You must have been pretty good at the boxing and fighting to do it interstate. It's great to be good at something. Good on you.

And yeah I can understand that year 12 would be stressful. And when feeling stressed you don't eat as well. And you were not doing your boxing (think that is what you said) Perhaps the motivation to eat healthy was gone there.

Have I understood alright?

I am happy for you that you are doing your dream course. May I ask what it is?

And have you gone back to eating healthy now, now that the stress of year 12 has gone?