Do the following statements describe you?

• I prefer to eat in private, where no one else can see.
• I eat healthy in front of others but then indulge recklessly in private.
• I follow a healthy diet during the day, only to fall off the wagon at night.
• I sneak food secretly and eat it away from others.

If you can relate to any of the above statements then you may be engaging in closet eating. This "secret eating life" of yours sabotages your weight loss and nutrition goals, making it impossible to achieve the body that you want.

Before we dive into this topic, it's important to approach yourself from a place of love and respect. Resist the urge to look at yourself as a failure as you strive to discard unhealthy eating habits.

Use the following 5 steps to curb your closet eating once and for all:

Step #1: Learn Your Triggers
Journal about the feelings you experience before, during and after an episode of closet eating. Was there a particular trigger that caused you to feel stressed, or angry, or helpless before the urge to eat in secrecy hit you?

Refer back to your journal after a handful of episodes and try to determine a pattern. This will allow you to prepare yourself with an exit plan before the next potential episode.

For example, if you find that your closet eating occurs mainly when your spouse goes out of town on business, then make plans to visit with friends rather than be alone at home with food.

Step #2: Log Every Calorie
Let's face the facts. Just because no one sees you eat it, doesn't mean that the calories don't exist. The simple act of tallying each food item that you eat will force you to be more mindful of your eating habits.

Find your ideal calorie range by consulting your doctor, and be aware of how close you come to that range each day. Resist the urge to not log foods that are eaten in secrecy.

The point is to bring accountability to the situation, so be vigilant.

Step #3: Carry Healthy Snacks
When the urge to eat in secrecy hits you, it may be useful to allow yourself the snack, but change the script slightly by making it healthy and portion controlled.

Eat one of these snacks every few hours to prevent from becoming overly hungry, thus more susceptible to reckless eating.

Look below for a list of healthy, portion controlled snacks to incorporate into your diet.

Step #4: Don't Stock Bad Food
Most cases of closet eating are said to occur in the comfort of your own home. Be Pro-Active by not stocking your favorite indulgences in the kitchen.

When you have the urge to sneak a few bites of ice cream before bed, you'll be unable to do so if there isn't any ice cream to be found. Be careful not to fall into the trap of "buying it for the kids," as this is a slippery slope.

No one in the family benefits from having junk food stocked in the house. Get it out.

Step #5: Exercise Regularly
How can exercising regularly help you overcome closet eating? It's simple. When you are actively working towards a goal, and are supported, you'll be less likely to self-sabotage.

My fitness plans are designed to get you to your desired weight loss goal quickly and efficiently. There's accountability, encouragement and measurable results to keep you on track.

If you'd like to see your weight loss goals become a reality then pick up the phone (604-489-0200)or shoot me an email.

Closet eating may be your way of dealing with the stress you have in your life, but you can change that. And I would love to help.

Call or email today to get started on a weight loss and nutrition program that will truly deliver the results you deserve.

Healthy Take Alongs

When the urge to indulge hits you, be prepared by carrying your own healthy snacks. Enjoy your healthy snack very slowly, then wait 20 minutes before deciding if you are full or still hungry. Try these healthy snacks:

• A small handful of raw almonds
• 1 small apple with a tsp and a half of almond butter
• 1/4 cup of hummus and a few carrot sticks
• 5 olives
• 1 cup unshelled edamame
• 2 ounces of sliced turkey breast
• 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt and 1/4 cup berries

Kitty Clemens RHN

SEPTEMBER PROMOTION

for my September promotion  click on

 "EVENTS" page

or read my ad in the September 2012 Issue of Powell River Living Magazine on page 16 and find out about 10 WEEKS TO WOW!

Also check out the "WORKSHOPS"  page if you are interested in learning about how and why to ferment foods. This is a hands on workshop where we are having lots of fun and end up bringing some of the "fruits of our labour" home with us

Salad or Fried Chicken…Which is Best?

How Healthy Is Your Salad?

Did you ever think that a salad could have more calories and fat than a serving of fried chicken?

Most people believe they're making a smart diet choice by opting for a salad, but end up sabotaging their weight loss goals.

Don't get me wrong - salads are a great way to get your recommended daily allowance of fruits and veggies and are often full of nutritious goodness. Made with the right foods they can also be a great meal for those seeking to lose some weight.

Next time you inspect the salad bar or your refrigerator for ingredients to toss in your salad, keep the following tips in mind.

Fruits and Vegetables
Leafy greens and veggies should be the base of your salad. Choose as many vegetables as you would like. Choose from mixed greens, broccoli, sugar snap peas, spinach, cucumbers, onions, peppers, cauliflower, mushrooms, green beans, zucchini, shredded carrots, radish, sprouts, cabbage, beets, tomatoes, and whatever veggie you can think to add. At only 25 calories per serving, vegetables are loaded with vitamin C, folic acid, potassium, fiber, and antioxidants. So the more veggies, the better!

In addition to all your other veggies, go with the darkest green lettuce you can find. Choose Romaine, spinach, mustard leaves, or green leaf over iceberg for increased nutrition. Leafy greens come in at less than 20 calories per two cup serving and provide folic acid, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.

Fruit is also a great salad option, as they add sweetness and nutrition to your salad. Try fruit such as cranberries, grapes, sliced strawberries, tangerines, or apples, and watch your plain old salad transform into a piece of culinary art.

Protein
If you find yourself feeling hungry soon after eating a salad, add some protein the next time. Good sources of protein to toss in a healthy salad include hard-boiled eggs, grilled chicken, grilled salmon, steamed or boiled shrimp, tuna packed in water, cottage cheese, or roasted turkey breast. A good serving size of this protein would be three ounces.

If meat or animal products aren't your thing, add about ½ cup of one or more of these protein sources to your salad: lentils, tofu, black beans, garbanzo beans, chickpeas, or a small amount of nuts (they're also high in fat, so don't over-do them).

Tempting as they may be, avoid fried, crispy, or saucy items that many add to salads.

Extras
Though many salad extras may be packed with nutrition, they are often also full of calories. On average, extras add approximately 600 calories to an otherwise low-fat salad. A good rule of thumb when it comes to preparing a light salad is to choose just one high-calorie extra or two half-portion extras. Popular high-calorie add-ons include fried noodles, cottage cheese, pepperoni, avocado, bacon, blue cheese, croutons, cheese, or nuts.

If you love the taste and texture of croutons, try crushing a few and sprinkling them over your salad. If your salad doesn't seem complete without cheese, try a strong flavored cheese like Feta or Parmesan. A small amount will go far. Also, use chopped nuts instead of whole to get more bites of a good thing.

Dressing
Dressing often makes the salad. Unfortunately, it can also make a salad a high-calorie event. The average vinaigrette contains 50 calories in one tablespoon, while the same amount of ranch dressing contains about 90 calories. Plastic containers or dressing packets at restaurants contain four tablespoons of dressing. The entire packet adds an additional 200-360 calories. As if that weren't enough, many dressings also contain saturated fat. This raises cholesterol and the risk of heart disease.

Instead of grabbing the first dressing you see, look for a other choices like balsamic or wine vinegars. A healthy dressing choice is a couple teaspoons of olive oil mixed with vinegar or lemon and spices or herbs. Instead of drenching your salad in dressing, dip your fork into dressing before taking a bite of salad.

Remember, eating healthy is 80% of the battle when it comes to wellness. The other 20% is maintaining a regular, challenging exercise program.

It's my goal to get you into the best health of your life. Call or email me today to begin your transformation.