I'm on a healthy diet, for now, how can I stop mourning the loss of my favorite foods and stick to my diet?

Question

About a month ago I cut down on saturated and trans fat, cut way back on white breads and pasta, and completely cut out refined sugar. But I usually end up with tears in my eyes every time I go shopping, because I'll see and smell a freshly baked loaf of sourdough, see a batch of chewy brownies layered with creamy frosting, or some other food that I used to get so much joy from eating. I have a hard time not picking those things up and really miss them! I'd like to be able to go to the store and not get depressed over not being able to have the treats I had to give up.

Also, the reason I've had to completely eliminate sugar is because I am addicted to it. If I eat a piece of chocolate it becomes nearly impossible for me to avoid a sugar snack the next day and the day after that. I tried eating sugar in moderation, but I can't. The only way I can stop eating it every day is to not have it at all.

Answer 1

By giving yourself little treats - if you deprive yourself you will end up binging

Answer 2

By not being so hard on yourself. You see healthy diet is definitely good for you, but let me guess, you started out initially to lose weight right? So you cut down on all the junkfood etc. Here's the deal, eating junkfood isn't healthy at all. But punishing yourself isn't fair. These foods were made to be consumed. Though unhealthy and maybe unfriendly to your body but small amounts won't do much harm. As long as you're exercising/working out, and burning the calories, you'll still be healthy. Plus sometimes the body needs the sugars and carbs. Don't be too hard on your body. Nevertheless here's a few tips you may want to try:

1- Learn to love healthy food. Look at junk food as only optional.

2- A good way of staying away from unhealthy foods will be storing your refrigerator with loads of healthy goods, that way, whenever you look at unhealthy foods, you can tell yourself "I haven't any space in my fridge, so I'll have to put this off to buying later."

4-Try allowing yourself to eat one portion junk food with one of your meals every three days. For example as a desert.

5- Alternatively, try making stuff at home. Replacing the unhealthy ingredients with healthier choices, such as replacing refined sugar with brown sugar. Adding lowfat milk, butter. Not adding additional additives [which are the main constituents in shelved products such as cookies brownies cakes etc].

As long as your eating healthy food through out the day, one piece of cake/brownies/chocolates/bowl of pudding won't do you any harm. Good luck! :)

Answer 3

I like to give my self one day a week that I can enjoy any food that I want, and on that one day I limit the size of whatever it is that I'm craving to half the serving size.