*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.

[monkey_magic]

Hi golden, like the sunshine on a cloudy day 🌤️

I did manage to eat that day. I got over my feelings of depression pretty quickly and then just felt upset on and off. You could even say I felt low.

I've been introducing some carbs back into my diet- brown grainy bread and crackers and felt bloated y'day. Ive been taking note of how foods make me feel.

I had a packet of the l/f babybel cheese and really liked it...all finished now. I've also gone through a block of parmesan, my favourite, and add feta to salads. Cheese is filling.
I noticed avocado makes my brain feel clear and I think I'm smarter. I was getting a lot of the answers right on a show called letters and numbers after eating avocado.
I had vegan patties in my burger y'day. Very nice. And made a felafel salad...which was delicious.
I make my plates or bowls of food look fancy for social media.
Ppl think my portion sizes are too big but I jumped on the scales again this morning and I'm doing better than my target. I could always lose more but I think it's better to do it slowly...and make gradual changes. I have a fear of being hungry/ starvation as well. Was put on a very strict diet in the past that I still feel traumatized from because of how crap I was feeling. It was a huge reduction in calories, I was shaky and light headed and had to still train. I was always hungry.
Now, I know you don't have to starve to lose weight. I was under the guidance of a personal trainer but didn't like it.

I hope your low mood can shift golden.
I'd get some sunlight. Swimming in the outdoor pool helps me. Mind you it's a challenge to get there because I don't like how I look in a cossy but I do go. Warts and all.

[monkey_magic]

I've been researching foods and found this;

20 foods that are bad for your health:

- sugary drinks

- most pizzas

- white bread

- most fruit juices

- sweetened breakfast cereals

- fried, grilled, or broiled food

- pastries, cookies, and cakes

- french fries and potato chips

- gluten- free junk foods

- agave nectar

- low fat yoghurt

- low carb junk foods

- ice cream

- candy bars

[Birdy77]

Hi everyone,

Wow, you are all doing great, making positive choices for your bodies and souls.

I haven't posted here for ages, and am feeling in crisis mode today, anxiety through the roof.

I often feel inspired by the yummy, clean colourful foods described in here.

Wanted to join back in as I've been in the kitchen today trying to get out of my messy head.

Today i made a salad of:
lentils
grated carrot
chopped cucumber
chopped red capsicum
sunflower kernels
pepitas
hemp seeds
I made a dressing of olive oil, balsamic vinegar and italian herb mix to toss through the salad.
I had some with some in a bowl with dollops of baked almond fetta on top, and it was super yum.

I made hommous (chickpeas, lemon juice, tahini, garlic, olive oil, cumin) and chopped up some veggie sticks to have ready in the fridge for snacking.

I am trying to reduce my alcohol intake, so i need to have some clean and healthy things on hand to help me over the humps. 😥

[golden82]

Welcome back then Birdy 🙂 that is a lovely name.

Your food sounds delish omg yum! I wish could make something even half as nice - I am pretty boring/bland in the kitchen. But I may just copy your recipe if you don't mind? I don't drink - never have, so I can't offer you any advice there - but good luck with it. And if you feel up to it post food/drink ideas as you like - the more inspo the better I say. I have had severe restriction almost all my life really - but certainly 12 yrs of orthorexia sticking to very limited and restricting rules, which became severe anorexia - where I have shut myself off from cooking/eating and only this last year been trying to improve and it is still a challenge with fear foods and being a bit restrictive. So ideas and inspo really help me. Cheers 🙂

[golden82]

hi MM,

I am so pleased you pushed thru the pain and did good by yourself to eat something on that sad day for you. It can be so hard I know, but depriving your body and brain only serves to make the situation worse. So power to you! I think what you ate sounds so yum. And it is all super balanced and good for you - dark, grainy breads, avocado, falafel, vegan patties, the babybel cheese and salads. That is such powerfully nourishing balanced food with plenty of protein, flavour, colour and crunch.

I love all that food too - well, never eaten a vegan pattie or falafel - but they are on my list to try. I certainly need to as I am vego since 12yo and iron levels are SO low. So I have to stop putting it off and just start eating those things - my body needs the protein. And avocado - I don't really let myself eat it - so dumb. I love cheese I eat it as my main protein source. Probably 4-5 days a week I eat a bit of cheese. I like the babybel and also I like parmesan I sprinkle on soups and pasta. Ok this week - I will buy the vegan burgers and falafel and the avocado. I commit to it.

I don't eat that meal plan that I typed for you. That is what I am meant to be eating...the plan my dietitian reinforces with me - but I struggle. I tend to go long periods without eating through the day. So I will have coffee in the morning and some breakfast most days. Then thru the day I fight my anorexia and lose - and so don't eat until late at night - by which time I am already shaky and low blood sugars. I hate eating - I think I always have due in some part to being ridiculed by my father and brother when I was young. And now with anorexia for so long to numb my pain - I just find eating to be so overwhelming and a very anxious thing for me to have to do. But obviously to be well and stay alive - I have to eat something. I look forward to the day I can calmly prepare a meal, sit down and enjoy it, and not be edgy and shaking like a leaf and full of head chatter, self hatred.

Re ur swimsuit worries - It is a cruel world we live in that makes you feel this way. I know it is easy for an outsider to tell you - but please try to not think negatively about your body in a swimsuit and let it prevent you from doing what you enjoy. You DESERVE to be able to swim and feel comfortable/welcome - just as much as anyone at the pool. & I feel the same way - sometimes won't go out for a walk even out the door as think too hideous. So ppl of all sizes can feel this way - Go for it! x

[monkey_magic]

Hi everyone!

Oh wow Birdy that salad sounds so yum. It's the salad of champions. It's great seeing you back on the forums.

Golden it sounds like your father and brother have had a psychological/ emotional impact on you which has lasted a long time. Stuff them. You shouldn't have to carry their projections. My dad was doing his best to cut me down to size but fortunately I get it out of my head. I know I have more integrity than him and just see him as an abusive little man- no effect.

I also can't wait for you to prepare a meal and enjoy it.

I had a touch of something when I was a teenager where I felt in control when I didn't eat and used to feel like a champion when hours would go passed without eating anything, then I'd skip dinner and not want to eat until late the next day. I was very skinny. I think my parents made me eat meals after a while and I couldn't continue with what I was doing. I'm pretty sure that's how I got out of it.

Do you eat nuts and seeds? Also a good protein source.

I hope you are able to find felafel, vegan patties and avocado. So nourishing. And I hope U can enjoy it all.

From what I understand you spend a lot of time in bed. Are there places you like to go or things you like to do to make life even better?

Today I'm joining a gym.

I've been craving junk food. I never thought I'd say this but I'm sick of salads lol. Been eating so many of them. I know the junk is only a psychological craving but I gave into it. Just a bit.

I had a couple slices toast with peanut butter and veg

Toasted small roll with onion and melted cheese

Rice bubbles, coconut, cashew choc slice with melted choc on top.

Satisfied my cravings!

Back on board the weight loss challenge.

I'm going to go to the gym today so all good.

[golden82]

hi MM,

Thanks for always lifting me up 🙂 I really like how you have risen above your fathers crap projection to you - that is powerful stuff. Good on you also for joining the gym - if you like that sort of thing? I hate gyms. I like the idea of your swimming better - a nice gentle exercise. I personally love walking outside and nature so at the beach or the parks. But sadly due to the years of severe anorexia this was limited, and now as getting better with eating disorder am hit with depression and anxiety which makes it hard. Yes, you are right I spend so much time in bed - due largely to the depression and anxiety. I feel too exhausted or overwhelmed/fearful to face the outside world. But I know I must change this with baby steps. It is a bit of a catch-22.

Sorry to hear you went thru some eating disorder struggles too - I think it is so common. It is good that your folks made you eat. Even though you might not have thought so at the time. My parents didn't even notice - too self absorbed. It went away naturally for me through uni for a bit of time. Then when life stressors and family crap it resurfaced for me with a vengeance and before I knew it, it had taken a hold of me. In all those years my mother never once had a meal with me. She attended one dietitian apt - but made it all about her.. the dietitian proposed she had a meal with me to help encourage me to eat; but Mum deflected it and said it would be too difficult as I am too difficult. She never even tried. I didn't know any different - but when it is pointed out, I can see there was never any real help there. Dad was even worse - sometimes denying I even had it or that doing it deliberately/drama queen.

Yes I eat nuts/seeds - I love them. I eat too much of them I think. I have walnuts, almonds, sunflower, pepitas, pine nuts, coconut. I also have bran and chia seeds. So I get a bit of protein and fiber from these things. And yoghurt too - I love yoghurt, I think that has become my fav food actually - aside from coffee and fresh fruit. Do you like these nuts/seeds and things? They are pretty versatile too I find.

Your list of what you ate doesn't sound like much - and it is pretty healthy. You can always snack on things like celery sticks with peanut butter and sultanas/raisins or apple with peanut butter etc. I baked some apples the other week and topped with honey and nuts and yoghurt. It was like a dessert treat.

I hope you are happy and well MM, and Birdy, and Shell and Sleepy and all.

[Guest_1055]

Hi all

Hello MM, Golden Sunshine, Sleepy, and welcome back Birdy.

My eating has been all over the place for the last couple of weeks. I have even eating warm chicken rolls from red rooster. (a takeaway food place) as well as hot chips a few times. And ah.... a couple of packets of chocolate biscuits. L

But amongst all that I have drank mostly vegetable juices. A couple of falafel and salad wraps. Purple grapes, and watermelon.

Yesterday I made some mac and cheese. It was okay. I cooked up some potato, carrot and onion and blended that up with some cashews, soymilk, nutritional yeast and I cannot remember what else to make a creamy sauce, then poured that over spelt pasta.

And today I made a tofu scramble and salad wrap. The tofu was cooked with capsicum, onion, mushroom and some spices. Then I spread some avocado on a wholemeal wrap, put the scramble some tomato, mixed green leaves, a little balsamic vinegar then rolled up. It was a little dry.

I also have been making chocolate milkshakes using Soymilk, crushed ice, maple syrup, vanilla and cacao

[Guest_1055]

Hi MM

Veggie patties and falafels can be really delicious. I am going to make some falafels using dried and soaked chickpeas one day.

It's good that you are taking note of how food makes you feel. Certain foods make me feel bloated as well. And some make my body feel nourished, energised and not heavy in the tummy.

It's great you are joining up at the gym MM.

Okay thoughts are blocked.

Keep going eating all the nourishing foods. Foods with tons of fibre. Eating nutrient dense foods I think. That is what Dr Joel Furhnam says.

[golden82]

hi Shell,

Great to see you popping in and sharing your meals/recipes. That all seems pretty balanced though. The chicken burgers are protein for you/your cells - so that is mainly a win. & chips, well they are potato which is good and they are just yum regardless! All your meal prep and smoothie prep is always really healthy I think - as you seem to make everything from scratch, and tend to opt for the healthiest options eg the spelt pasta is meant to be good. I think you do way better than you give yourself credit for. I may copy a few of your latest ideas too - definitely the milkshake - I wish I could have you pass me one through the screen lol. Be kind to yourself Shell x