How to Wipe Out the Foods on Your “What-Not” to Eat List

I love lists. I live by lists. Just ask my family members. I have a lot of lists. They help me to prioritize my tasks, stay organized and accomplish what needs to get done.

How often do you make lists throughout your day? To-do lists, shopping lists, what-not to eat lists?

Lists play a prominent role in the life of a chronic dieter. Some of these lists are written out, others are likely engrained in your head. The good versus bad food lists draws a line between the foods you allow yourself to eat and those you don’t, which inevitably establishes a barrier that you “cannot” cross.

Do you overindulge when you allow yourself to eat from the “bad food” list? Most likely you do because you are experiencing deprivation from this particular food item that has become taboo for you. This is exactly why you overindulge; it’s called deprivation backlash.

I say it’s time to thrown away these food lists so you can make peace with food once and for all.

How?

Write down all the foods that you don’t allow yourself to eat. Then plan out one by one when you are going to purchase that food and when and where you are going to eat it. Make sure you plan to do this when you feel calm, not stressed and you are in a calm, relaxing atmosphere.

Explore how you feel when you eat each food on your list. Is it as good as you expected? What surprises did you experience?

This is a process, so be patient with yourself. You might just find that what you thought you once loved you actually do not like at all. And, what you thought you didn’t like has become your new favorite.

Making peace with food takes time, but it is well worth the effort. If I can help you on this journey, feel free to reach out by requesting a strategy session here.

Your turn to take action: Write down all the foods that are on your ‘what-not” to eat food list, and share in the comments below how you are going to start incorporating these items into your menus.