This holiday season has probably been the best for me in terms of not falling off my totally made up nutritional wagon. I attribute this to my new job, a better grasp on what works for me, and a more laid back attitude about the whole thing.
It's important to not beat yourself up over any dietary indiscretions that may occur. It's not the end of the world...and no, it doesn't mean that you have to start all over...you simply just move on.
In a recent interview on the Balanced Bites podcast (my source for witty banter and good nutritional advice) Robb Wolf talked about how most people have the 80/20 rule all wrong. Rather than striving for 80/20 you should strive for 100% and be fine with coming out 80/20. If you only strive for 80/20, you might come out 60/40 or worse...so strive for perfection and don't beat yourself up if you never get there.
I've been sticking with what I know works for me...and paying the price when I don't. We often get lunch brought to us at work, which is great, except I've broken up with gluten, and lunch is often full of sandwiches and pasta. Last week there was salad, potatoes, and fruit which I ate. However, I did not read the ingredients on the salad dressing and paid the price with a stomach ache for the rest of the afternoon.
With sweets and treats around sometimes it's really hard to pass them by. Fortunately, I've been too busy to spend much time lingering in the break room around all the goodies. However, when I do drop in, I save myself for the really good treats. I pick all the dark chocolate out of the boxes of chocolate, which is time consuming and self limiting. On Friday last week I did eat one too many salted caramel chocolates (not dark chocolate...but so good!) but then I got over it and moved on.
Another way to combat treats is to make your own. This is especially useful if you avoid gluten and you are up to your eyeballs in cookies at work. Make some tasty gluten-free, cookies and bring them to share. Need ideas? Google any sweet treat and add "paleo" to it and you'll find some less bad alternatives.
I've also been making extra tasty food for dinner (and leftovers for lunch) so that I actually look forward to my meals and don't think about snacking in between!
Happy Holidays!
