For the past couple of months I’ve been experimenting embracing Flexible Dieting. I hate even calling it that because the thing is - it’s not dieting. Does anyone have a suggestion for what else we can call it…? 😛
I actually must admit that I haven’t even been strictly adhering to the principles (i.e. tracking macros) of Flexible Dieting. In fact, I’d say the way I’ve been eating is closer to Intuitive Eating. AKA…just eating.
I wanted to share of the things I’ve learned over the past few weeks because a handful of you asked me to share more about my experience - specifically breaking free from the whole “clean eating” (Paleo) mentality. I’ve said this a million times and want to say again - that I don’t find anything wrong with Paleo style of eating. I had a lot of great results (physically, mentally, etc.) from eating that way, and I really do think it’s one of the healthiest ways to eat. It’s just not for me, and I think these points will explain a bit more why.
1. I don’t like meat as much as I thought I did. I’ll probably never cut it out completely, but when I go with my cravings/what my body wants, most of the time that’s a combination of plants + grains (as you can see in the meals above).
2. I don’t want to have to control my sweet tooth. I get it - sugar isn’t good for us blah blah blah. But quite frankly - I just don’t care anymore. I love treats, and I’d rather find a way to fit them into my life on a daily basis.
3. I am naturally a healthy eater. I don’t know when I started to think I had to try harder to eat healthy. I naturally gravitate toward foods that are good for me, so I think I really can just trust my body (as cliche as that sounds - it’s true!).
4. Logging meals is extremely helpful, but not a necessity (for me). About a week ago I stopped tracking my meals on MyFitnessPal. I’ll probably still log a few days a week just to keep me on track, but I don’t want to become obsessed or dependent on it.
5. Arctic Zero is my jam + one of the few “diet foods” I can get behind. The Cookie Dough, Salted Caramel, and Toasted Coconut flavors are so ridiculously good.
6. So is Free Bread. I eat it toasted almost every morning with smashed avocado + a fried egg. It’s the best gluten free bread I’ve tried - hands down. The flavor and texture is perfect.
7. Breaking the mentality that sugar/carbs/dairy are the devil isn’t so easy. It’s everywhere! But each day it gets easier and easier to trust myself/my body over what everyone else is saying.
8. Instead of ignoring cravings, I’m embracing them. Sometimes that means I’m going to eat a cupcake in the middle of the work day. Other times that means a salad. And yes - sometimes I still want a big plate of “clean” meat and veggies. Nothing is off limits, and that’s a wonderful way to eat/live.
…that’s I’ll I’ve got for now! I’ll make sure to do a follow up post as I continue on with Flexible Dieting (which, I think I’m going start calling Just Eating. ha).
Can you relate to any of these?
I totally agree with you on it being hard to embrace sugar/carbs, because I think the media has it drilled in our heads that they are bad! I agree- following what my body craves is key. And sometimes that means carbs!
YES to it all! This is the point I need to get to, and while I think I have been better about honoring my body, I think I still need to track for the time being; most because I found I was under-eating without even knowing it. I want to make sure I am balanced on the amount of macros I am getting in, and not overdoing it from one to the next. Being a CrossFit athlete, and getting more serious about it, has made me realize how important it is for me to be properly fueling. Along with that, I want to look how I feel - if that makes sense. My FD journey has seemed to be quite slow, but I’m certain that by going at my own pace with just make me that much more successful.
I LOVE Arctic Zero! I’ve been a big fan of theirs for several years now and think they are just one of the best types of frozen desserts out there!
This is wonderful, Gracie! I’m happy flexible dieting/intuitive eating/what-shall-we-call-it has ultimately led you to say screw you to what the media or anybody else says is the right way to eat and just do you. Nobody else knows what’s right for you but YOU. Like you, I think intuitive eating really is nothing but ‘normal’ eating. The reason why we need to label it is that - through the influence of media and all kinds of [pseudo-]health experts - we’ve unlearned to trust out intuition and need to reestablish the trust in ourselves. No, sugar isn’t bad. Dessert won’t kill us. And there’s no need to macro-manage our diets because following our cravings we’ll end up eating the way that best fuels us for the awesome life we want to lead. (:
heck yesssss you know I love this! Especially “just eating”
i’m working on transitioning into no tracking at all after I reverse diet a little more!
I loooove the new Arctic Zero cookie dough flavor! I’m glad they made some new flavors with the chunks of deliciousness in them! The plain ones started to feel a little too “diet” for me so I was excited about the new ones!
I think flexible dieting (or intuitive eating or whatever we’re calling it) absolutely make sense. I find that sometimes I need to “reset” myself because I can easily go overboard with sweets and snacks but in general, I think my body really does crave healthy stuff!
Love this post. I have felt so overwhelmed trying to figure out how to eat with all the information flying round..no grains, need some grains, fiber!, not too much, humans can’t process dairy so let’s put it in half the foods out there, SUGAR ZOMG NO, fruit, wait no fruit is fructose…it’s like OMG I just want to curl up in the fetal position! I love your approach and that is what I’m trying to move towards. Being mindful but not strict. What REALLY makes me feel good? And I no longer look at any ‘diet’ plans that include sugar but once a month. I will never, ever maintain that for the rest of my life so why follow it for a while, lose a ton of weight and then be depressed when I eat normal again and gain? I just want to be at happy weight, even if it’s a weight society doesn’t worship.
Exactly! There are way too many mixed messages out there about what it means to be “healthy,” it’s crazy! At the end of the day I do think that different styles of eating work better for different people, and I just happen to be an everything in moderation type of person. And I think you make a really good point - regardless of what is the BEST way to eat, ya gotta do what you’ll stick with longterm. So why even bother?!
Thanks for this comment! xo
after years of being vegan, vegetarian, avoiding carbs, spending thousands at Whole Foods, etc. etc, I’ve found that I’m happiest, healthiest, and look my best when I just stop trying so darn hard and listen to my body. that usually means that I’ll eat a salad if I’m not super hungry and it’s hot out, but also eating a burger with a big pile of fries when I need one. life’s about balance and being happy, and I think our bodies are pretty good at figuring it out for us. Just Eating is definitely the way to go!
Love this. I’m going more intuitive. I know carb and sugar overload is bad but I love a slice of local bakery bread with jam or avocado. And I love sweets. Enjoying them keeps me sane!