Ever have food guilt? What is food guilt? Author Lindsey Smith describes a scenario of self punishing thoughts around food when preparing for a fun, social occasion. She describes dieting before hand, mentally running through the last failed attempt at moderation at a party and self defeating thoughts. Then, she gets to the party and one cookie sends her healthy eating plan into a downward spiral – along with her enjoyment of the experience and feelings of self-worth.
I’ve always had a love/hate relationship with food – especially sweets. In the past few years, I have done a lot better. When I was offered the opportunity to review Food Guilt No More, I was intrigued. I wanted to see if I could pick up a few pearls of wisdom to add to what has worked for me so far.
Lindsey Smith is the blogger behind Food Mood Girl and the author of Junk Foods and Junk Moods. She is a health and wellness coach and has been featured on many TV shows and publications. She helps clients lose weight, increase energy and gain a healthy lifestyle by “uncovering their personal connection with the foods they eat and their moods.”
In the introduction to the book, she says:
“While Food Guilt No More features recipes, it is so much more than a cook- book. Use it to learn how to overcome intense cravings and find the best food solutions to improve your mood. Explore the sections on how to treat your body like a test lab— in the positive sense of finding just the right foods to sustain your individual needs. Above all, learn the techniques that support my Food Freedom Paradigm. Best of all, the soul-satisfying recipes adhere to this paradigm. They go beyond physical nourish- ment and truly transform how you view yourself and your body. And, of course, these delicious recipes and tips will help you truly love and appreciate your food.”
The book starts off with her personal story of being indulged with sweets as a child when her parents were late to pick her up from pre-school. She discusses the connection of food to emotion and social interaction. She then asks you to recount your food mood “story” and then to reframe it to a more positive one. She then provides a 4 step approach to changing your approach to food:
- Cook with Love
- Eat with Love
- Create a Personal Mantra
- Meditate on the Food Experience
Sound a little hokey? I think this is not meant to be done every meal and morsel, but in your journey to make a new, positive food/mood connection. She also asks us to consider how foods make us feel. Tired? If you have a sugary snack to perk up, how do you feel when the sugar wears off? Then, how can you remember this and start fueling with foods that make you feel good?
She then presents foods that typically have a positive impact on mood and ones that don’t. There is a caveat that eating a ton of one “superfood” will not be the answer – you need a balanced diet.
She then provides a list of mood busting foods like sugar and white flour. The good thing is she provides substitutes and “craving kickers” and easy craving snack swaps. You know I love smart snacks!
One thing that has helped me with food guilt and cravings is to eat “real food.” If it comes from the earth in a whole food format, I generally feel good eating it and experience less concern or worry. Smith’s three principles are aligned with this:
1. Eat more real food. Focus on eating whole and real foods—that is, foods as they come from nature, not things that have been manufactured or highly processed.
2. Eat more with less guilt. Yep, you read that right. At the beginning or end of the day, focus on what you can add more of to your diet rather than restrict. Eat real food with less guilt and a whole lot more love.
3. Listen to your body. This magical machine will tell you exactly what it needs, if you choose to listen.
The remainder of the book is mood boosting recipes, tips and personal stories. Throughout, she reminds us to experiment and find out what works for us as everyone is unique. Some of the recipes come with affirmations. A little hokey, but great reminders!
The final chapter is about “body love.” This section and idea deserve a full post. The gist is to remember the good things about your body, to stop comparing to others, to stop beating yourself up. These are awesome reminders for anyone and everyone – food guilt or not!
Interested? One lucky reader will win the just released paperback copy of Food Guilt No More. To enter:
- Leave a comment on this post to let me know why you want to read this book and if you suffer from “food guilt.”
Want an extra entries?
- Like Food Mood Girl on Facebook and/or Twitter and leave me a separate comment telling me you did.
- Tweet “Got Food Guilt? Check out Food Mood Girl’s Food Guilt No More/enter to win a copy. Thanks @LindseySmithHHC+@EAgran http://wp.me/p2m3ve-53X” and leave a comment to tell me that you did.
The winner is #16 Paige C. A winner will be selected using random.org in the order of comment on Friday, June 5th. Winner must be 18 and over, a US resident and the offer is void where prohibited.
Don’t want to wait to see if you have won? You can order the book at Amazon or Barnes and Noble. You can also check out more of Lindsey’s work at Food Mood Girl or on Facebook and Twitter.
PS. Don’t forget my other great giveaways.