*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.

[IreneM]

What a lovely Thread Shelley!

I also have a Dip in Nutrition and was once a Vegetarian Presenter for the SDA church. But since having Kidney Failure I have realised that what is for one person can not be for someone else. As my diet needs have changed.

Like you I also need to lose a bit of weight as I am several kgs over my BMI weight range at the moment. Think exercise may well be the answer as I have cut back quite strongly on quantity but not quality. It's important when eating to chew properly and not to eat within two hours of lying down. I only eat as my stomach tells me that it needs something, and just keep up my fluids. Although with Smoothies, they and milk drinks I find can keep you feeling full all day.

@Annie I also have been a bit sick from stress related symptoms and knew that once things settled down that it will pass and it is now. When you're like that just eat a little bit and often unless you have a 24 hour stomach bug, then just stick to a simple soup or similar.

I believe that dairy is you don't have allergies is among the most stomach settling things I just use soy milk if I get like that. Stomach's best friends include: Cabbage and Potato.

Eat Well!

PS: shall share some of my new recipes in this thread soon.

[Guest_1055]

How are you going there Annie? No pressure to answer or anything but I do hope you feel better now. And less stressed. Have you got a bath to have a good soak in Epsom salts or anything.

I do know what you mean about feeling sick after eating so well then wham go into the junk food.

I do hope you are ok 🙂

[Guest_1055]

Ah ok I understand your choice about going vegetarian. It seems to be more common these days.

Oh yum I do like falafels. Except if they have fresh coriander in them. Do you cook yours in the oven or fry them. So anyway yes please I am keen to have a go at your recipe. And roast veggies are super yum. I can almost taste roast pumpkin.

As for the maple syrup. Yeah it is rather expensive hey. I wonder if date syrup, rice syrup or honey might taste ok? Might be good. Do you still eat honey then? The recipe only had 1 tablespoon or was it 1 teaspoon? I have only made them the once, so I will try honey next time.

I am happy for you that you still have your two birdies Blue. You used to write about them quite a bit.

[Guest_1055]

Ah great to meet you Irene. I don’t think we have crossed paths on Beyond Blue before. Anyway hello.

I am sorry you have kidney failure. Do you need to eat only certain foods with that? I use to look after someone that was on dialysis from kidney failure. I think it was suggested to him, not to eat foods high in potassium. But I could be wrong about that.

Oh you have studied nutrition. Did you like it? I seemed to have developed a high interest in it, since changing to mostly Whole Plant Foods. It’s fasinating. I did study some basic nutrition last year.

And the seven day Adventist church.... Did you demonstrate cooking skills then, mixed in with nutrition.

I am keen to look at your new recipe too.

Thankyou too Irene for saying this thread is lovely. As it seems sometimes I need to hear these things.

And exercise does help us lose weight for sure.

[Guest_2496]

Hi Shell

I'm ok thank you for checking on me. Just a bit quiet / less online time with the house guest. Another week...

I love the sound of those crunchy chick peas for a snack. I'm not much of a cook but I'm getting lots of ideas reading your posts, thank you. Oh, and you asked me a few days ago - yes I have chicken stock in my vegetable soup, and garlic or ginger. And the corn thins I had are those round ones, I think corn flavoured rice thins really.

IRENE - thanks for your tips too. I didn't know that about potato and cabbage, good to know.

Tonight I was alone for dinner and was back to my soup. I had chicken stock, chicken pieces, potato and cauliflower (I went to the shop for potatoes and cabbage ha ha but no cabbage to be found at the little local).

I haven't been walking much lately and no real excuse for that - I like your jar idea Shelley (wrong thread I know but covering all bases in one post!)

🙂

[Guest_1055]

Really about my jar idea. Oh good. 🙂

I understand about the house guest and all Annie. There is no pressure to post. Rest easy there. I just wanted you to know that I cared and to see if you were ok.

mmm love cauliflower. And I am starting to like cabbage. Soup is so cosy when the weather gets colder hey. All good veggies.

🙂 to you too

[Guest_1055]

I reached my goal of 3 days eating healthy this time. Whoo ooo!!

I have already set the goal for another 3 days. And now day 1 is almost over. Instead of feeling like I let myself down and discouraged like before. I feel the opposite. So yeah it’s great. Physically I feel much better too. I just need to add in some healthy fats.

Sunday

Breakfast- grapes

Lunch- scrambled tofu with mixed pan fried veggies. ( red onion, carrot, mushroom, tomato, peas and baby spinach) water fried. Like no oil. 1 piece of plain wholegrain toast

Dinner - which I am in the middle of making. Creamy mushroom soup and whole meal spelt flour pizza base that will be baked in the oven with cashew cheese on it.

Snacks- yeah more grapes ( thought I would make the most of it, whilst still in season)

- chocolate milkshake, consisting off bonsoy soy milk, raw cacao powder, vanilla, coconut sugar and 1/4 of an avocado.

I had cravings for chocolate today, hence the creamy sweet and healthy milkshake. Sooo good!

[Clues_Of_Blue]

There is dried coriander in the recipe, but if you're not a fan I'd say just leave it out. I really like roast pumpkin, too, it's super tasty. If you haven't tried it, I highly recommend a dash of Moroccan seasoning on your roast veg, too.

I do eat honey, and have some in the cupboard. One of my best friends is a beekeeper, so I have a ready supply if I want it. No idea how it would go with the curry. Worth a try, I suspect.

Thanks. I still have plenty of bird stories to tell, I never get bored with talking about them. Probably drive my friends nuts. 🙂

I'll pop the recipe in a separate reply for you (and anyone else who is interested).

[Clues_Of_Blue]

Falafels

Ingredients:

I tin chickpeas

1 onion, finely chopped

1/2 bunch parsley

2 cloves garlic, chopped

1 egg (or vegan equivalent) beaten

2tsp ground cumin

1tsp ground coriander

1tsp salt

1tsp baking powder

1tbsp sesame seeds

1tsp lemon juice

1tbsp olive oil

1 cup breadcrumbs (or GF equivalent)

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 180 degrees C and line a baking tray.

2. Blend chickpeas, onion, garlic and parsley in a food processor (stick mixer also does the job).

3. Whisk together egg (or substitute), cumin, coriander, salt, baking power, sesame seeds, lemon juice and olive oil. Stir into chickpea mixture. Gradually add breadcrumbs until mixture holds together (you may not need all the crumbs).

4. Form mixture into 8 balls, then flatten into patties. Place onto prepared tray and bake for 20 minutes, turning once.

[MsPurple]

Hi everyone everyone

Shelley anna (and Blue): just by looking (roughly as it I don't have all data and nutritional content of foods) it sounds like you are not eating enough protein and possibly healthy fats. Protien is commonly found in foods such as meat. However for vegetarian sources include eggs, cheese, milk, nuts, chickpeas, beans etc. You can get some protein powder and things fortified in protein also. If you don't get enough protein in your diet it can affect cause muscle wastage as we well as issues with healing and recovery. The foods you eat do look delicious. I myself find if I eat too restrictive in a day it can make me want to revert back to my ED past. So I try not be too strict on my every day self. It is hard sometimes to get a balance. I myself still struggle

For more information on healthy eating see https://www.eatforhealth.gov.au/node/add/calculator-nutrients This will help you figure out roughly how many of each nutrients you need. This website is created by dietitians and government approved

Eating healthy and being healthy is hard. Try be gentle with yourself. If you have a bad day, try not let it follow through the next. Try not punish yourself for the past day. Try move forward. It is easier said then done, but all we can do is try