Author: Meredith Whitmore
Drive. When was the last time you considered how strong yours is?
If you’re living a low-carb lifestyle, then maybe it wasn’t too long ago. Once in a while, resisting the Sirens’ call of linguini, doughnuts or pan crust pizza can be hard. Especially for people new to this way of eating. And most, whether they’re a low-carb novice or an expert, have a harder time ignoring temptation during the holidays. For a few weeks each year we have to shun the (perceived) blissful vices of fudge, dressing, gravy and mashed potatoes—let alone what we all know is evil: the pies. (Don’t even get us started on skipping the pies.)
So how will you fare this holiday season? For years we’ve all been told that willpower is the main factor of any positive lifestyle. That is, resist temptation through inner strength and you’ll be healthier, stronger and happier. There’s some truth to this because when a person successfully fights off the starchy “demons” of a low-carb diet, he or she has more confidence and tenacity to do it again.
The problem is, willpower doesn’t work forever. For some, it doesn’t work at all. This is especially true if your food choices starve your cells. That is, when you eat something high in carbohydrates, even a bite will cause insulin to suck the energy sources out of your bloodstream. Then the starvation cycle begins because when you spike your insulin, you start to store fat, burn sugar and feel the primal need to eat more to stop the resulting hunger.
So, the whole idea of willpower is misleading.
What if, instead, the most important thing is to have a game plan for eating? As former basketball coach Bobby knight once said, “The will to succeed is important, but what’s more important is the will to prepare.”
Prepare is the key word.
As we enter the season of carbohydrate-laden family meals, office parties, winter banquets, sugary baked gifts and gingerbread men, prepare with these quick tips:
First - Recognize that your desire for carbs is most likely stress eating. Under stress, the body needs more energy to burn in the cells. We have trained ourselves to reach for carbohydrates because of their quick, reliable effects on our brains.
Why, honestly, are you reaching for that bread? Recognizing the reasons behind your wanting to eat something high in carbs is almost always helpful. And will your potential choice ultimately help you with your stress or merely add to it? Ask yourself whether eating [insert culinary delight that makes you salivate] will hurt your goals.
Surprisingly, the answer will always be yes. Even if you’re at a point where your weight, blood work and other health variables are all favorable, having a light serving of a favorite “taboo” food will likely derail you. But this doesn’t need to be for the long term. For some people, eating a small indulgence can even be a stress reliever because they tell themselves they have the drive to enjoy both health and a rare cheat. The cheat option doesn’t come without a warning (yes, there had to be one): If you’re deeply in ketosis and choose to eat something higher in carbohydrates, you risk starting the starvation cycle—and resulting nausea—depending on the food and serving size. If this is a possibility for you, ask whether a momentary plate of perceived deliciousness is worth this new battle with illness. For many, it’s not. And if you’re still working to lose weight, lower your lipids or otherwise improve your wellbeing, then going off plan simply isn’t your best choice right now. Instead of staring down a cupcake longingly, push it aside and acknowledge all the added stress you’re not going to add to your life by not indulging. Which brings us to the second tip …
Second - Divert, divert, divert.
Getting your mind off the temptation and onto something more substantial can help you sidestep dietary pitfalls. Maybe you long for better mobility, or a family you plan to start when you’re healthier. Maybe it’s a sleeker wardrobe you’d like to show off. It will boost your resolve to visualize and embrace such things while ogling a bite or two of sugar.
But human nature is to choose the thing you have trained yourself to do under pressure—no matter what it is, and not necessarily according to what is best for you. To ensure that you do select the best when faced with enticement, keep diverting yourself. Remind yourself regularly of what’s more valuable than a fleeting desire for food that won’t help anything, despite your temptation. And write your short-term goals and long-term dreams down. Especially when there’s a cake on the table. (If there is a cake on the table, it doesn’t hurt to have said goals and dreams written on a notecard in your pocket. Hang on to them. Maybe literally. Perhaps one goal is simply to finish that single meal without stress eating.)
Third - Eat to face the temptation.
No. That was not a typo.
Make sure you’ve eaten something high in protein and fat before a holiday party or meal where you know you’ll be faced with tempting carbs. Taking the edge off your hunger will help you resist the stress eating of fresh rolls and warm cookies lurking around your plate.
Fourth - Another idea is to actually bring plan-friendly food with you to a party. Yes, this sounds odd to many at first, but it’s effective. While your friends or family are snacking on sugar cookies or brownies, you have the freedom to enjoy a mozzarella stick instead. Over time, people will get used to your “odd” (and much healthier) choices. In fact, we’ve even seen die-hard carb lovers be won over to the lifestyle through seeing such examples.
Regardless of your holiday schedule, you can stay on course during any festivity with proper planning. Don’t doubt it for a minute. And always remember: If you start the starvation cycle, it just adds to your stress.
Best of luck, and may your best plan work.
Recipes submitted by Jackie Mosgrove
Mushroom and Sausage Stuffing
1/2 cup minced onion
3/4 cup butter
¼ cup chopped walnuts
¼ cup shelled pumpkin seeds
4 cups mushrooms
2 cups cooked sausage (sugar free)
1 cup chopped celery
1 tsp salt
1 tsp thyme1 tsp sage
1/2 tsp pepper
Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Cook and stir onion, sausage and walnuts over medium heat in a large skillet in melted, heated butter. Add mushrooms, and cook for 5 minutes, stirring every 2-3 minutes. Place in a 12 x 12″ casserole dish with remaining ingredients, and bake for 25 minutes. Let stand for 10 minutes. Serve.
Buttery Caramel Pudding
2 cups heavy cream
4 egg yolks, beaten
¼ cup Waldon Farms Sugar Free Caramel Dip (Found at Fred Meyer)
3 drops of Stevia Glycerite
Butter, to taste
Heat cream in sauce pan to simmer, do not overheat as the pudding will curdle. In a separate bowl whisk egg yolks, caramel and stevia. When the milk has reached its simmering point add ½ cup milk to egg mixture to temper the eggs. Pour into simmered milk and whisk constantly until thickened. You may add butter at this point or pour into individual bowls and serve with butter on top.
Enjoy!!!!
Recipes submitted by Jackie Mosgrove
