I was watching an Ellie Keiger rerun the other day. She talked about how important it is to "control impulsivity" and to plan food in order to stay lean and healhty.

I happen to totally agree with her. I know that others enjoy more spontaneous eating and it seems to work well in their lives.

For those of you who are working to "control impulsivity"-- what things work for you? I am sometimes really on track and other times I see to struggle more.

P.S. kd talk a lot about planning meals and snacks to conquer unplanned eating/snacking too. I thought about her great make ahead pantry meal kits and granola snacks that have really helped people stay on a food plan.

quote:

Originally posted by Sandy:
Dawn,
It's great that the hs has a healthful option! The pizza I was mulling over was greasy, white flour stuff.

The thing I find odd is that they don't have the healthful option at the elementary schools. They also have the greasy refined flour crust pizza sometimes at the H.S., but this one is offered in one of our cafeterias every day. They took it away for awhile last year when we got a new food services director, but it is back so there must have been several complaints. (Which is great!)

Dawn

Dawn,
It's great that the hs has a healthful option! The pizza I was mulling over was greasy, white flour stuff.

quote:

Originally posted by Sandy:

quote:

Originally posted by Tayhudson:

School food isn't even worth it.

Dawn

I taught today. I worked just outside the cafeteria. I also had a case of "not wanting to eat the lunch I brought from home." The school lunch was individual pizza and orange slices. I brought a wheatberry salad with veggies, nuts and dreid fruit. I did think about the school food not only lacking in nutrition, but also in taste and satisfaction.

I ate my salad from home and enjoyed it a lot. I KNOW that had a eaten the pizza at school, I would have wanted more junk. I also would have wanted a diet coke. \

I did think about eating the pizza. I am so glad I didn't.

Good to know that we were sharing the same brain at differnt schools today.

The one thing I will say about the pizza at the high school where I work is that it does have whole wheat crust and low-fat cheese, and it actually tastes really good. So, I do allow myself to eat a slice every other week or so, and I always choose fresh fruit and a veggie as my sides.

I did stick with the lunch I brought today though and I'm glad I did.

Dawn

quote:

Originally posted by Tayhudson:

School food isn't even worth it.

Dawn

I taught today. I worked just outside the cafeteria. I also had a case of "not wanting to eat the lunch I brought from home." The school lunch was individual pizza and orange slices. I brought a wheatberry salad with veggies, nuts and dreid fruit. I did think about the school food not only lacking in nutrition, but also in taste and satisfaction.

I ate my salad from home and enjoyed it a lot. I KNOW that had a eaten the pizza at school, I would have wanted more junk. I also would have wanted a diet coke. \

I did think about eating the pizza. I am so glad I didn't.

Good to know that we were sharing the same brain at differnt schools today.

I wanted to add, that while I said that my impulsive eating has gotten more under control, I'm not sure I can take a lot of credit for it.

Working in a school keeps me from snacking too much, because I can't eat in class. I also can't eat on the sales floor of my second job, so mostly, I just don't often have time to eat what hasn't been planned.

I typically bring my lunch to school and east something for dinner when I get home on days when I have to work at the store. I might have another snack when I get home since I am eating dinner at like 4 or 4:30, but typically, I don't eat too much because I have to go to bed too soon and I don't want to have a full stomach and sleep.

Dawn

VERY timely question and thank you thank you for posting it.

I have actually been doing so much better about not eating impulsively, however, this weekend we went to Atlanta and I ate out for every meal other than breakfast. It was planned, but the weekend is OVER.

So, I brought my lunch today and I looked up the lunch menu, because I had that "I brought my lunch today, but it just doesn't sound good."

Then, I read this and went "BINGO", eat what you brought for lunch and don't give in. School food isn't even worth it.

Dawn

Here's my list:
(I'm working hard to keep my impuse eating low these days.)

1. Have great meals planned w/ prep work done ahead. When I look forward to a dinner I know I will enjoy I am far less likely to hit the teachers' lounge pitfall at 2pm. I tend to be a person who gives us real food when I eat junk in order to "save calories." Clearly, this is not a great choice. Plus, I enjoy the real food far more than I enjoy a medicocre cookie or brownie.

2. Keep a clean pantry. I don't have any type of crackers except Triscuits in the pantry. In the past I have tried to keep Goldfish or some wholegrain, organic version. I tend to overeat all crackers except Triscuits. (Dd eats Triscuits and I think they are a decent snack.) Having stuff that (almost literally) speaks to me causes stress and strain. I don't want that.

3. I shop with a list. I create the list from my meal planning. This way I keep my food choices functional and real.

4. I write my food plan on paper. I sometimes use fitday, but always use paper. The act of writing it out helps me focus my intention for the day.

5. I cook enough so that I have leftovers for lunches. This cuts down on take out lunches or grabbing food because I have not thought about lunch at Noon.

6. I weigh myself regularly.

7. More planning. I plan a lot.

I try to keep snacks and meals on hand for impulsive times. (that are allowed) I also put things that are bad for me in places I don't get into. Out of sight out of mind. Well, most of the time...
Mnm