Sometimes, You Just Want To Eat BAD Things

This isn't necessarily a Paleo specific topic, but it's certainly worth talking about.  Emotional eating...stress-related eating - we've all done it, we all do it, and we'll all do it again.  Some of us may not even be aware that we do it.  You have a stressful day at work, and the very last thing you want to do is come home and cook.  So what do you do?  You eat crap.  In one form or another, you eat crap.  You're stressed out about finances, relationships, obligations, or sometimes you don't even know why but you feel stressed out.  You eat crap.  It's that simple.  


Why do we want crap so bad?  Well, there's the convenience factor.  I don't have to cook a pot of cookies, I don't have to throw this ice cream in the oven.  I don't have to even open these brownies because they're on the table. Convenience makes us feel empowered when other things feel out of control.  It's something that doesn't need our attention. It's just there.  Another reason is eating is a sort of distraction from the real problem.  I'll deal with that later, I'm eating.  Ok, after we eat we'll talk about that (so you eat a lot to avoid talking about that). And how many commercials and other advertisements make food out to be so much more than it is? Honestly, if a food has a commercial, it's pretty much crap.  When is the last time that you saw a commercial for a carrot?  Or a full-page ad with coupon for grass-fed beef?  Remember that time you heard that catchy jingle for sweet potatoes?  No, you don't - because it doesn't happen.  Food that has a commercial is basically crap - bet you never thought about that.  I didn't until I started this Paleo journey.  Now I see things in a whole new light. 

Another major reason we stress-eat is biological in nature.  When we become stressed, cortisol (dubbed the stress hormone) floods our bodies.  It makes us want sugar, carbs, and fat - bad fat, not good fat like olives and avocados.  Last week, I had one day that was incredibly stressful.  Two major stressors came my way in the matter of seven minutes. Can you imagine my cortisol levels?  Now, I've been eating clean - really clean, and have not wanted to stray from this one bit.  Well, within the half hour following those two blows, I can honestly tell you that I wanted bread - dipped in chocolate - then rolled in sugar.  No joke.  I wanted carbs, sugar, and fat.  As great as I have been doing and feeling, if those things were in front of me at that moment, I can't promise you that I wouldn't have been tempted.  So I had this craving, but I acknowledged it.  I told myself it was an emotional reaction.  I didn't try to deny to myself that I wanted off the Paleo bandwagon so badly at that moment.  I confronted it.  I reminded myself that I have Celiac disease - no amount of gluten is worth it.  I acknowledged the stress and took it for what it was - momentary.  The feeling would pass.  Everything was fine.  I ate a Lara Bar.  A far better choice than chocolate-dipped, sugar-rolled bread. And guess what?  I lived.  I didn't do the stress-eating and I lived.  I didn't go into that post-stress coma.  I got on with it.  I made a good choice, and my body knew I did.  It worked with me, not against me. Imagine that.  The stress is going to be there no matter what we do.  If we acknowledge the stress, and acknowledge our feelings - even have a conversation with ourselves about our food choices, maybe we won't turn to the crappiest crap we can find in these moments.  Maybe we don't need a sleeve of Oreos, but a square or two of pure dark chocolate will do.  We're going to want to eat in response to stress - but we can be smarter about it.  Our bodies will thank us.  Our stress chemistry will thank us.  

I was talking with my friend who I can say pretty much got me started on this holistic/organic/non-toxic way of life seven years ago.  She pushed me to go to acupuncture, and when I finally listened, things started getting better.  I'll never be able to repay her for all of the help and guidance she's given me in these matters.  But anyway, you don't care about that (but thanks, Steph).  We were on the phone last week, discussing my double-whammy stress day, and we got to talking about what we crave when we're stressed.  We crave crap.  Yup.  Just like everyone else.  She said to me "I wonder if you tell yourself the same thing I do when I'm super stressed and just want to eat crap."  As it turns out, I do.  When you're stressed, you feel like things are out of your control.  You want control back?  No problem.  You know what you control 100% of the time? What you eat!  It may be the only thing you have control over in your life, but you've got full control.  Believe it or not, this isn't something I've realized until recently.  Your family,  your friends, your co-workers, they may frown upon your choices, give you "the look", or not pay any attention to the lifestyle you're trying to maintain.  That's ok.  They're not in control.  You are.  Only you.  Luckily, I have an UNBELIEVABLE support system in all of this.  Don't get me wrong, sometimes my family looks at me like "Really, more kale?", but they support me.  My co-workers are incredible.  I really owe them a good Paleo Monday (I bake them awesome Paleo stuff).  My friends don't laugh at me - they encourage me.  My acupuncturist and the doctor I see in his office are beyond amazing.  I'd be on a road to horrible things without them.  Surround yourself with people who support you.  It might not be as easy for some people, but it can be done.  If you need a Paleo buddy, I'm here.  I don't know what the hell I'm doing, but I'm here - and I'll support you on your Paleo journey.  It's my pleasure to pay it forward.  

So what did we learn today?  
1.  Stress is going to happen.  Acknowledge it.  

2.  You're going to want to eat crap.  Like "food with commercials" crap.  Acknowledge it.  It's the cortisol talking.  Shut it up with a good choice. 
3.  Everything is out of control!  Except one thing - what goes in your mouth.  Take control! You're in charge.  Nobody is shoving anything down your throat.  

4.  If you have people in your life who don't support you on this journey, try finding people who will.  I'm here.  Not like 24/7 or anything, but I'm here.  Support, encouragement, and understanding make a BIG difference.  

You guys, it was great talking to you!  I've missed you, and I hope to be seeing you more often.  Thanks for actually reading this - I still can't believe I have an "audience".  LOL!  Kerry Ann Clock - a healthy eating blogger - NOBODY saw this coming...LOL! If you've started the Paleo thing, if you're thinking about it, or have some questions, feel free to share!