Cheating On Your Diet

Cheating On Your Diet

"CHEATING" ON
YOUR DIET
by Joan Stout

I don't like the "cheating" word, and

I am trying to obliterate it from the vocabulary of my support

group members. I prefer to think of it as a choice. That helps me

to look at it in a more positive light. Once I learned how to

safely allow some "forbidden" food items in my diet, I

gave myself permission to have them now and then. Now that those

"forbidden items" are no longer so forbidden, I don't

want them as frequently.

Another benefit of considering it as a choice

is the fact that I can rationally decide if I really want that

grilled cheese with bacon sandwich. I know why it's good for me,

and I know why it's bad for me. Do I want it enough to closely

monitor my blood glucose for several hours after eating it?

Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Do I want it enough to give myself

the extra fat and protein that I don't need? Sometimes yes (the

psychological benefits can be great), sometimes no. If the answer

is yes, I will probably have rice for my next meal.

Having a flexible insulin regimen is important

for making these kinds of choices! I know that it's more

difficult without insulin. As for the question of choosing a

carbo snack over a fat snack, it depends. If you are on insulin

and can keep your BG in control after eating the carb snack, that

might be an acceptable choice. If not, the fat snack might be a

better choice. If you are not on insulin or don't know how to

make adjustments, and/or if you are overweight, you might try to

opt for the sugar-free Jello instead! I encourage you to talk to

your doctor and dietitian about a treatment regimen that allows

you some of your favorite foods.

A difficult factor here is that "trigger

foods," those we mindlessly consume in great volume (like

popcorn, salt peanuts, potato chips, etc.), are sometimes the

things we crave the most, and with a trigger food, it's very

difficult to stop with one serving. I try to never have trigger

foods in my house and to eat them only when portion size is

controlled. For example, I might have a small bag of potato chips

at lunch, where a small bag is all I'll receive, but I would

never buy a large bag of potato chips to have at home. And never

leave me alone with a can of Pringles!

Remember--everything in moderation, including moderation!