A Little More Permission, A Little Less Restriction
Content.
“I just can’t have chocolate in the house. If I do, I eat it all in one sitting and then tell myself I can’t buy it again.”
This comes up a lot in clinic, and honestly, it makes a lot of sense. How exhausting to have the chocolate sitting in the pantry, calling your name, while feeling like you need to constantly exercise willpower to resist it. I wouldn’t want that either.
But… are we throwing in the towel too soon?
I was recently given a packet of digestive biscuits (yum), and it had been a hot minute since I’d had one. For four days in a row, I looked forward to a biscuit with my mid-morning coffee - then, come the fifth day, I just stopped reaching for one.
Not because I told myself I couldn’t have it. Not because I made it unavailable. I simply got a little sick of having them every day.
And now? The half-eaten packet has been sitting in my pantry for two weeks.
I had another similar example pop up when I recommended a client trial switching from white bread to sourdough to better manage her blood glucose levels. She enjoyed the sourdough so much that she had finished a loaf in the first two days. However, after the initial sourdough excitement (nothing quite like fresh bread), the novelty wore off and she naturally settled back into her usual two slices a day.
No judgement. Just naturally returning to baseline.
Sometimes, the foods we think we need to restrict lose some of their power when we stop treating them as forbidden.
Are there any foods you currently forbid that might be worth experimenting with giving yourself permission to have?
Featuring my new fave mug ☕️ Thanks to my husband for schlepping it all the way from London hehe xxx
Nutrition Tip. Acetic acid
This is a random little nutrition fact I’ve been sharing with clients wanting to manage their blood glucose levels for years - although it has definitely become more popular thanks to the Glucose Goddess!
Having a little vinegar with a meal may help reduce the rise in blood glucose after eating. The magic ingredient here is acetic acid, which you’ll find in vinegars such as apple cider vinegar and balsamic vinegar.
For example, having a salad dressed with vinegar alongside (or before) your bowl of pasta may help create a slightly more gradual blood glucose response.
And before anyone starts drinking apple cider vinegar shots 😂 - this isn’t a rule or something I live by. Just a fun little nutrition fact to tuck away if you’re interested in supporting your blood glucose levels and energy after meals :)
Recommendation. Bippi’s Classico Sugo .
For the days when you’re time-poor and a little cbf, this is such a handy thing to have in the cupboard.
From a quick pasta sauce, to jazzing up meatballs or making a simple egg dish feel a little fancy - Bippi’s is your guy :)
Shout out to Giuls for the rec - she knew this one would end up on the Substack effective immediately haha.
My Bippi’s splurge haha
Quote.
The bamboo that bends is stronger than the oak that resists.
Japanese Proverb
The biggest support you can give is simply sharing this newsletter with someone who would love a balanced, gentle take on nutrition 💛
Want to work together, reach out via Your Balanced Dietitian :)
Till next time,
Jess, Your Balanced Dietitian xx
