So I've been thinking lately about my "OCD" with food. Yes, part of it is liking how I look being lean...but that's only half of it. Maybe not even half. The other part of why I seem to be getting a little too obsessive about food is the fear that I'm damaging my body by eating foods that aren't good for me. I have this huge fear of getting heart disease or cancer or having a stroke or alzheimer's disease when I'm older!
I read a lot of blogs(many are paleo blogs), and I work with people who are all about the paleo diet, as I've mentioned before. I've been feeling almost guilty lately about eating certain things that they say are so bad for me....But I read so many different things, different opinions, conflicting information...and it just boggles my mind and causes me to constantly worry!
Like I feel like everything I eat is bad for me now in some way or another! Chicken breast is good for you right? Well, not if it's not grass fed, free range chicken. Low fat cottage cheese and skim milk is healthy right? Nope, dairy products aren't good for you. Protein shakes are a good way to get in more protein, which is healthy, right? Nope, whey isn't good for you either, and they have artificial sweeteners in them. Fruits are definitely good for you, right? Well, no, not if you eat too many-fructose spikes your insulin and makes you fat. Peanut butter is a healthy snack, right? Nope-legumes are bad for you! Fruit and vegetables are healthy...but only if they're organic! See what I mean?????
I'm in a constant battle inside my head, thinking that I'm damaging my body by eating grains and dairy and peanut butter and protein shakes...but then my husband tells me that I'm getting too obsessive and strict with my eating.
So today I came across a couple of blogs that talked about exactly what I'm going through right now! It's good to know that I'm not the only one who gets obsessive about food!
One of the blogs I came across is this one: http://niashanks.com/blog/Processed+Food+Confusion/
And this is exactly what I needed to hear today:
"Everything is relative and it all comes down to you discovering and doing what works best for you. If you want to follow a Paleo, vegan, vegetarian, low carb, high carb, low fat, nutrient timing, carb cycling, intermittent fasting, or any other diet method, then that’s fine. Just do what works for you and whatever makes you happy and improves your health. No single method will appeal to everyone."
I read a lot of blogs(many are paleo blogs), and I work with people who are all about the paleo diet, as I've mentioned before. I've been feeling almost guilty lately about eating certain things that they say are so bad for me....But I read so many different things, different opinions, conflicting information...and it just boggles my mind and causes me to constantly worry!
Like I feel like everything I eat is bad for me now in some way or another! Chicken breast is good for you right? Well, not if it's not grass fed, free range chicken. Low fat cottage cheese and skim milk is healthy right? Nope, dairy products aren't good for you. Protein shakes are a good way to get in more protein, which is healthy, right? Nope, whey isn't good for you either, and they have artificial sweeteners in them. Fruits are definitely good for you, right? Well, no, not if you eat too many-fructose spikes your insulin and makes you fat. Peanut butter is a healthy snack, right? Nope-legumes are bad for you! Fruit and vegetables are healthy...but only if they're organic! See what I mean?????
I'm in a constant battle inside my head, thinking that I'm damaging my body by eating grains and dairy and peanut butter and protein shakes...but then my husband tells me that I'm getting too obsessive and strict with my eating.
So today I came across a couple of blogs that talked about exactly what I'm going through right now! It's good to know that I'm not the only one who gets obsessive about food!
One of the blogs I came across is this one: http://niashanks.com/blog/Processed+Food+Confusion/
And this is exactly what I needed to hear today:
"Everything is relative and it all comes down to you discovering and doing what works best for you. If you want to follow a Paleo, vegan, vegetarian, low carb, high carb, low fat, nutrient timing, carb cycling, intermittent fasting, or any other diet method, then that’s fine. Just do what works for you and whatever makes you happy and improves your health. No single method will appeal to everyone."
And here's another blog that discusses "clean eating" and how it can cause an obsession:
http://jcdfitness.com/2010/09/clean-eating-is-a-scam-and-why-you-should-abandon-it/ And yeah, this comment he makes:"Someone out there right now is worrying incessantly about whether or not to have some melted cheese on their chicken and rice. No joke – it’s happening." Yup...that is me he's talking about, sadly to say!
I have to do what works for me to keep me stress and anxiety free. Because ultimately, having anxiety from worrying about everything I eat is not good for my health, either!
Lindsay,
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to say I think it's great you're trying to figure all this stuff out for yourself.
The most important thing, in my opinion, is that you're objective enough to ask questions as to why others are making the statements they're making.
When it all comes down to it, if you want some pizza, eat some pizza. It's not going to take a year off of your life, nor is it going to be detrimental to your physique.
Being moderate about your food choices will not only benefit you psychologically, but it'll also help you to be more relaxed in social settings.
I wish you the best and hope some of those you're around with such a rigid mindset about nutrition will begin to see the light as you have.
Warm regards
JC Deen
Thanks for your thoughts!
ReplyDeleteHaving seen Jc Deen mention on Nia Shanks' Facebook wall that you wrote about her, I found this and would comment in agreement: Yes, I DO agree it's good to be a little bit obcessive about diet to avoid cancer, since it runs rampant in the USA. -- Since other countries have MUCH lower cancer rates and also longer life-spans, it might be worth it to check out my scary research at:
ReplyDeletehttp://GordonWatts.com/#health --or
http://GordonWayneWatts.com/#health
--and even print out my research to study offline -- Lindsay, cancer is MUCH easier to beat than what you might think, but you must ditch things like milk -and drasticly lower meat intake --to have a chance at beating the Big C.
Gordon Wayne Watts - Lakeland, Fla.
Lindsay-
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking to my website. I know exactly what you are going through. I have tried many diets myself and have found a way to condemn every type of food at one point or another.
I hope you find what works for YOU and what makes you feel healthy, happy, and strong.
Thanks again!
Thanks, Nia! I'm glad I came across your blog! :)
ReplyDelete