Deprivation and Dieting

Deprivation feeds desire and leads to over-indulgence in the future. This should be a ‘motto’ (or an epitaph) on everyone’s refrigerator. It is a fact. Years of research have born out that a main reason for diets not working is the deprivation one feels during this ‘restricted semi-fast’. So, if you have always loved potato chips; you occasionally should have a small amount of chips.

The trick for many people may be to not have whatever the desirous food identified, readily accessible in the house. Additionally, assuring you only eat a small portion, do not get your ice cream in gallon jugs, or your chocolate in large garbage bags, or your potato chips in the back of a U-Haul Truck. Ok, that was rather facetious; but it should make the reader see the point. Those cute “100 calorie” snacks that are now available in most grocery stores are ideal for ‘controlled indulgence’. And, one can acknowledge the 100 calories they are taking in, and substitute it for something similar they may have eaten during the course of a usual day. This method assures that daily calories are not exceeded during the day.

If your favorite snack does not come in 100 calorie bags; be sure to read the label carefully. How many calories equates with one serving. Be sure you keep within the limitations on the Nutritional Label, which is now mandatory on all canned, bagged, and packaged food products. A serving of ice cream is equal to a half a cup, and probably is 150 calories. However, the entire pint of ice cream is probably equal to about 500 calories (or a lot more, depending on the type of ice cream you purchase).

The over-indulgence philosophy extends to many different walks of life. Buffets for instance! Whenever you go to a buffet you should walk around the complete buffet before imbibing in any one particular food (or dessert). This procedure will help you choose foods which you normally would eat at home. If there are salads, be sure and fill up on the fruits and vegetables first. This will leave less room, and desire, for the well-known fattening desserts offered at buffets.

Some people never monitor their calories, instead enjoying the foods they eat to the utmost, and maintaining their control through monitoring the scale. Whatever your choice, be sure to do it consistently.

Almost everyone will acknowledge that the quality of life is directly related to the quality of the foods available. There is nothing that brings more pleasure than a nourishing, but savory meal. Use of the above approach will help you to maintain a healthy weight, as well as sustain the quality of your life.