Why Abstinence with Food Doesn't Work

When we are forced to abstain from entire food groups on a diet, in effect we lose body trust and confidence in our ability to eat according to our own physical and psychological needs.

If you've ever tried to abstain from carbs, for example, it may work for a time and you may see good results initially.

However, inevitably, one day you will go to a restaurant or a party serving birthday cake. You may even be excited or even anxious at the birthday party, and then, in a weak moment you encounter a "food pusher" who starts to apply some peer pressure on you to join in the festivities and eat a serving of birthday cake too.

Even though you know you shouldn't, and you sworre to yourself you wouldn't, somewhere in the back of your mind, you think to yourself  "life's too short". So you oblige and accept a helping of cake. Hesitantly, because, while birthday cake is not on your diet plan, in your mind, you secretly want to rebel against the "food rules" inflicted on you by this diet all because you need to live up to the societal expectations of being a certain "size" in order not to feel judged and ostracized by society.

Next thing you know, after a few bites of delicious, but somewhat "sinful" cake (according to your current diet), the floodgates open. Before you know it, you can't stop/won't stop and there is literally NO CARB left behind.

Sound famliar? I know it is because I've been there too. In fact, resistance always creates force. 

Truth is there is no diet that achieves miracles, that can be maintained over time. And when prohibition exists, desires are ceated that would possibly not exist without that prohibition.

Mindful eating is about finding the middle ground.Since perfect eating does not exist, it is important to make choices that honor our health and satisfy our need for pleasure around eating as well.

This is why I always say, if you are going to eat,go for quality and and savor every single bite.