Photo by Padurariu Alexandru
The process of cleaning up my diet has forced me to take a hard look at what I eat on a daily basis, but most of all, my slippery slope foods. You know, the foods that send you into a spiral of wanting more and more and more.
Sugary food like chocolate was my go to food after my son was born. It’s no lie that breastfeeding moms crave sugar – in the early days, I ate a slice of cake everyday! After cutting out sugar for Lent, bread became my new crutch. Whenever I was tired or a bit emotional, I would reach for the breadbasket and scarf away. After indulging a few too many times, I knew I had to cut out the wheat and once I did, a new slippery slope food emerged – cheese.
I’ve always loved cheese. When I was in university, I remember standing at my kitchen counter eating slice after slice of cheddar, cutting each slice from a big block. After giving up sugar, I would always order a cheese plate for dessert, enjoying exploring English, French, Spanish and German cheeses. Nothing beats a good goat’s cheese.
But I can’t just eat one piece of cheese and then stop. After giving up sugar and wheat and still not seeing the fast progress I wanted in shifting my baby weight. I knew I had to cut out cheese – my slippery slope food.
And it’s been really successful. I’ve had the odd treat, but knowing that I have to limit my consumption has really helped. I’m not the type of person that can eat food in moderation.
So what’s my new slippery slope food, you ask? I’d like to say that I don’t have one, but then I’d be lying. Oddly enough, I can’t get enough of dried mango at the moment. And I know it’s not great for me, as all the sugar creates an insulin response in me. I really feel the high and then the crash, especially when I scoff a whole bag at the end of the day.
I’d like to say that I would cut out all slippery slope food, but I don’t know if that would be possible. Food shouldn’t be a treat or reward, but after a hard day with the baby, it’s nice to have a little pick me up.