Can I eat sugar?
Do I need to cut carbs?
^^ loaded questions..
And something I get a lot.
Now, first off..
Everything we do is driven by the scientific DATA and YOU..
Now, it’s no secret
That we live in an obesogenic environment AKA food is easy to get, processed food is everywhere..
It’s someone’s birthday everyday in the office.
Cake Friday..
Wine O’clock..
It’s my friends brother’s other half’s friend’s birthday, so here’s some cake..
Kid’s / grandkids food in the house…
You get my point..
And first off
Your environment is key here.
If you buy the food and have it around, you are more likely to eat it…
^^ unless you have some conscious rules around this in place
These foods excite the brain.
They’re not filling..
And it may mean that you eat more.
This does not mean that sugar makes us fat, however…
It doesn’t mean potatoes or rice make us fat..
In fact, Japan have the highest consumption of white rice
Yet one of the lowest obesity rates…
So perhaps
We should all stop beating ourselves up for eating it…
Research shows that if your calories are controlled for..
It doesn’t make a difference, whether you eat sugar or not…
However…
It isn’t as simple as that…
And this does not mean you have to eat sugar..
I mean if you have high blood sugar levels and overeat..
Lowering sugar / carbs is a way of decreasing calories, weight and improving insulin sensitivity..
And it is something that I have been talking about this week..
About your mindset around nutrition .
You see, what I see often
Is that people are either 100% ‘on plan’ or ‘0% off it’…
But the interesting part?
Neither makes us happy.
You might describe 100% on plan as ‘no carbs’, chicken and broccoli 😉
But we spend this whole time waiting for the end point.
We miss out on the psychosocial benefits of food..
We may feel deprived.
End up binge eating..
Equally,
When we are 0% on plan..
We are tired, low in energy, and lacking nutrition.
This is where having that balance is key.
Around 70%…
Having a clear plan that allows you to have some flexibility
But within a rule.
For example
One of the ladies has this rule:
“I will have 3 meals a day and no snacks apart from Friday where I will have some cake at work”
It is clear, simple and it suits HER lifestyle.
The meals ensure she is getting wholefoods, which contain lots of nutrients which may go above and beyond the talk of calories
To keeping you full up and healthy.
Be it protein, antioxidants, fibre, water intake and vitamins…
And having that flexibility,
Means she does not feel she is missing out..
And yes, she has the flexibility to eat carbs and sugar
But knows – due to the self awareness she has developed – that being around it
And when it is there in surplus
She is likely to overeat it .
After all,
The more different types of foods you eat
The more likely you are to overeat.
I have just touched the surface today.
And I wanted you to know
That it isn’t about ONE food.
I mean, it can be for a bit ..
And you might get some success..
But to keep it off for good?
You have to also consider your relationship with food.
And why you keep stopping. .
The obstacles that have come up with other diets…
It’s why we like to start with things off with super simple habits
That you can do even on your most stressful day..
Because you might have a day where you are 20% on it..
But instead of beating yourself up
What would be different if you just got back to it a little faster than you used to ?
What would be different?
Matt