Overthinking Food?

Do you think about food a lot?

I remember when I was a teenager, stuck in the middle of some diet, one of my friends said to me, “The less I think about food, the better I feel.

I couldn't understand it at the time, but I do now.

We often spend a lot of time thinking about what we’re eating, when we’re eating, and how much we’re eating (and indeed, I pop into your inbox to advise you about these things!).

But what if one of the keys to both finding freedom and supporting your weight loss goals lies in learning how to take your mind off food?

The truth is, sometimes the more you focus on food, the more it can control you.

But when we can shift our attention elsewhere, while still nourishing our bodies, we create a feeling of freedom and ease, and often end up eating in a way that is more aligned to our goals.

Here are some ways you can start:

1. Create a Meal Plan or Keep a List of Quick, Healthy Meals

When you have a go-to meal plan or even a list of ideas for quick, healthy meals, there’s no need to overthink what’s for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

It takes the stress out of planning and helps you make choices that align with your goals. Imagine having a set of delicious, easy-to-make meals that you love and don’t need to think twice about.

2. Balance Your Blood Sugar

Keeping your blood sugar levels steady throughout the day is crucial for preventing hunger and those uncomfortable cravings. When your blood sugar dips, it can send your body into a frantic search for food.

Eating balanced meals that include protein, healthy fats, and fibre helps maintain stable blood sugar levels, so you feel satisfied and energised, not hungry or irritable.

You will probably find that you start to completely forget about food in between and concentrate on life.

This not only prevents overeating, but it can also help with weight loss, if that's one of your goals.

3. Find an Eating Pattern That Works for You

We all have different schedules and lifestyles. That means there’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to timing your meals.

The key is finding an eating pattern that feels comfortable for you. Whether you prefer three meals a day with snacks in between, or a time-restricted eating window, finding the rhythm that works for your body and mind, that doesn’t need much thought, will help you feel in control and prevent overeating.

Someone I work with tried not to eat until 1 pm each day, but it just didn't suit them and made them think too much about food and they were continuously munching during the afternoon to 'make up for it'. They switched to starting eating at 10am and finishing at 6pm, which suited them and their natural rhythms much better, meaning that they thought much less about food and lost weight.

Which of these tips are most helpful for you?

Here's to creating freedom from thinking about food too much!