Whether you struggle with food guilt / the ability to allow yourself to eat foods you have labeled as “unhealthy,” or with self-trust / portion control with “trigger” foods, The only way around is through. Meaning that, avoiding them is only going to make things worse. It is not a long-term solution. If anything it, perpetuates a worsening relationship with food.

In both cases, strategic exposure to these foods will result in a show of evidence that:

1️⃣: Nothing bad will happen to you if you eat them.

2️⃣: You can get to a place where you include them mindfully in a way that feels enjoyable and simply move on.

Additionally, adjusting our mindset so that we don’t label foods as “good” or “bad” is critical. Yes, some foods may be more nutritionally beneficial than others, but food is about more than simply nutrition. It’s experiential. It’s relational. And God would not have given us taste buds if it wasn’t also intended to be enjoyable!

Circling back into the idea that stress over a donut—or any food for that matter—is worse for us than the eating it ever will be… Mental stress / anxiety is not benign. If you’re telling me that you avoid foods all in the name of “health,” remember restriction isn’t “healthy” physically or psychologically any way you spin it (google Minnesota starvation experiment). And if you’re telling me you avoid a food because you just don’t trust yourself not to eat too much, well there’s a better solution than restriction in that case as well. Giving yourself permission to have it (in an amount and frequency that does not cross your healthy guardrails) dissipates the Illicitness of the food and eventually makes it no big deal. Contrary to what you might think, restricting the food incites a binge while allowing the food prevents it.

As believers, it can get confusing when we think about this in the context of cultivating the fruit of self-control. We must understand that temperance is not about rigidity + white-knuckling it in constant self-denial; it is about finding a balance that allows us to live a life of moderation, ruled by the Spirit and not the flesh. Remember, where the spirit is, there is freedom! Let’s walk in it!

All that said, sometimes getting there takes a little less time, trial, and error with the help of a coach. Need help figuring out the process? Looking for someone who will guide you in God’s best for you individually? Shoot me an email! We can schedule a free call to see if we’d be a good fit to work together! I’m currently taking new clients for my #MealMasteryMentorship!

Are you ready? Let’s get growing!
| Kaci

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If you are interested in getting a custom set of macros, you can find out more here. If you want something more in-depth which will help you learn #Moderation365 nutrition strategies like #DessertEveryDay and how to eat in a way you love and still get results, you can get 1:1 coaching via my Meal Mastery Mentorship. You can head to this link to find out more.

If you just want to stick your toe in the water and see what it’s like, then my Meal Mastery Nutrition Audit has a 100% money-back satisfaction guarantee! So no excuses!!! Find out about it at this link.

If you are interested in working on a specific habit and need someone to help you troubleshoot, keep you motivated, and hold you accountable, I offer coaching a variety of ways, which you can learn more about here.

My specialty is habit change and my approach is to work on mindset alongside the habit, so that it is healthy and sustainable, and this is best done via 1:1 Coaching which you can learn about here. Whether it involves your health, finances, nutrition, exercise, relationships, or personal growth, habits are the key to success. We are the outcome of what we repeatedly do. Without addressing that, there can be no change. Learn more here!

P.P.S. I will be increasing my 1:1 coaching prices after I have my new #Moderation365 certification. Current clients will be grandfathered in at their current rate as long as they don’t lapse, but for those who are wanting to enroll as a new client, I would do so now if you are on the fence!