Moderation vs. The Food Coma

Yesterday I indulged my sweet tooth a number of times. There was an iced molasses cookie and an adorable mini chocolate cream pie from Susie Cakes as well as way too many bowls of Cracklin' Oat Bran. I don't believe in denying yourself the things you love when it comes to food. But I do believe in striving to make the majority of our culinary choices healthy ones. Or at least having moderation as a distant goal.

With yesterday in mind, I thought I'd tip the balance back in that direction with my mid-day meal today. This was my fourth meal of the day, as I'm trying to eat a small one every 2-3 hours. The problem is that some of them end up being not-so-small...

I made a juicer concoction that was a departure from the usual green or purple elixer. It had carrots, fennel, red cabbage, and an orange. And the salad was a simple one this time: greens, red pepper, tomato, blueberries, sunflower seeds, balsamic, chicken. Verdict: Fennel is awesome. But I should have put it in the salad. It was pretty nasty in the juicer.

My challenge when it comes to eating is that although I get inspired and eat pretty healthy much (but definitely not all) of the time, I haven't quite trained myself to stop at that magical "pleasantly satisfied" point. I often keep going and end up in the "holy-crap-food-coma" zone, whether it's a healthy meal or not. And that's no fun. 

I realize that it all comes down to choice. And that no one is making me reach for that fifth bowl of cereal. So, why is it that even if we know we are going to feel like crap after eating that last serving of whatever, we still do it? I find myself, after only a moment's hesitation, saying "F it!" and going for it. 

Some people assume that those of us who "work out for a living" can eat whatever we want. Ha - I wish! Athletes who are competing or training on an elite level have a whole different set of needs when it comes to nutrition obviously. I can't speak to that. I'm not there yet.

However, for people like me who are active all day and also happen to love good food, it's no cakewalk. Being active all day also makes me hungry all day. Sure I make super healthy salads a couple times a week and am obsessed with my juicer. That doesn't mean I don't cave and eat crap just as often. 

My biggest weakness right now is cheese. Well, and pastries. Especially of the chocolate croissant variety. Actually any kind of dairy. Like the plain tart frozen yogurt from Tuttimelon. I like it with granola.

Oh well. It's a journey, right? Sometimes moderation wins the battle. And sometimes the food coma wins the battle. I guess the important point is who is winning the war.