As we enter Lent, many of us consider giving up certain foods as a way to improve our health or lose weight. But before you commit to eliminating chocolate or other favorite foods from your diet, I'd like to share some insights.
When Food Restrictions Backfire
While giving up foods for religious devotion often succeeds because it's rooted in strong faith-based motivation, eliminating foods solely for weight loss can lead to unexpected challenges:
Firstly, you will experience heightened awareness. When we tell ourselves "don't eat chocolate," our brain becomes hyper-focused on that very food. We become more vigilant about avoiding it, which paradoxically makes us think about it more frequently, intensifying cravings and making the process harder.
A second challenge is emotional triggers: The underlying emotional reasons for eating certain foods don't disappear when we restrict them. One client came to me disappointed after giving up chocolate and bread for Lent, only to find herself consuming large quantities of dried fruit and crackers instead—ultimately gaining weight despite her efforts.
What many don't realise is that unplanned eating and cravings rarely stem from simply loving a particular food. More often, they're responses to emotional triggers like, boredom, stress, loneliness, disconnection and tiredness.
Give Rather Than Take Away
Instead of focusing on what to take away, ask yourself what you can put back. Here are some questions you can ask yourself:
What triggers my chocolate (or other food) consumption?
What emotion am I trying to satisfy or suppress?
What situation is most likely to bring about that unwanted eating?
Consider what you can give yourself daily that might help overcome the issues causing problematic eating patterns. What one positive action could address the root cause? If you are struggling to come up with something, then this might be things like:
A meaningful face-to-face conversation if you're feeling disconnected
More sleep if stress is your trigger
A short daily walk
15 minutes of peace and quiet
Can you commit to doing this one thing every day, rather than commiting to giving up specific food? Try it and see how you get on.
Finding Support
This process of understanding your relationship with food doesn't have to be a solo journey. Sometimes talking through these patterns can provide clarity and support for sustainable change.
As you consider your approach this season, remember that adding positive habits often creates more lasting change than simply taking foods away. If this has been helpful to you, and you'd like to know more, book a chat in my diary.
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