Whole 30, Day 4

Today’s support newsletter was mostly about cravings–how to decide what you really need and what to do about it. I seem to be getting a handle on that one.

My best technique so far is to drink water then wait to see if it was really thirst instead of hunger. Often the combination of something in the stomach and the distraction that happens while waiting is enough to avoid eating.

But my biggest problem is Netflix. Dave really enjoys watching something pretty much every evening. He usually picks something I will enjoy too. But, I am in the habit of eating while watching TV/movies. For an hour or two. Yes, I mean eating for an hour or two. My standard foods have been homemade trail mix and Jack Link’s steak nuggets. Those come in small enough pieces or take enough chewing that I can drag them out a long time. But, neither one is Whole 30 compliant. Yes, I could buy ingredients for my trail mix that would be compliant but you still aren’t supposed to eat as much of those ingredients as I do. And, yes you can buy Whole 30 compliant jerky but that’s jerky not steak nuggets–different taste and different texture.

So, I found a new snack that comes in lots of little pieces. Coconut flakes. I bought mine at the co-op so I know there are no added ingredients. And, not knowing any better, we put them in a paper bag and put them in the cupboard. When I remembered we had them, I found the bag had leached a lot of the oils out of the coconut. So I dumped them in a Tupperware bowl, put the lid on it, and sat it by my chair. When evening came, there it was just waiting for my to sit down and begin munching. By taking only one flake at a time then chewing it thoroughly I ate for more than an hour which may have totaled two tablespoons worth of coconut. Score! And they were chewy enough to make my jaw too tired to chew anything else. Double score!

My other go-to snack is olives which helps with my salt cravings and is Whole 30 approved as a source of good fats. I usually eat 6 of the large, greens ones stuffed with pimento. I learned that snack when Weight Watchers was my primary focus. Six olives is only 1 Points Plus and, when nibbled slowly, is enough to make you feel like you actually ate something.

Techniques. For me, this program is all about learning new techniques of eating so as to be healthier. So far, I have Mel’s cook-up and Meal Map and my snack needs pretty well down.

Oh, the Meal Map? That says any meal is easy. You just serve one portion of protein with lots of vegetables, some healthful fat and seasonings and you have a meal. You all do this you just might not realize you do it. Sauté onion in butter, adding ground beef, then tomatoes and tomato sauce with chili powder makes…? I’m learning all kinds of tasty combinations. Which is good because I like variety in my meals.

Breakfast was chili.

Lunch was Pakistani kimi which we liked a LOT more than we thought we would. No curry powder in ours, though.

Snacks were coconut flakes and olives.

Supper is about to be egg salad.

Then reading until I wind down enough to sleep.

TTYL,

Linda