How to Feel in Control Around Sweets and Carbs

I know there are thousands of things we could disagree on but I bet this one's a major "yes" to you...


Chocolates, candies, pastries, and pasta are the ultimate food choice that never goes out of style.


Yes, yes? 😄😄


When you take a single bite, all restraint and control in the world are thrown off the window and we indulge in its heavenly goodness.


But then, we fall into the trap of thinking... "what's wrong with me?! Why can't I control myself around sweets!?"


As a past self-proclaimed sugar addict, I hear you loud and clear.


When you take a single bite out of any of the mentioned items, all restraint, and control in the world are thrown off the window and we indulge in its heavenly goodness.


But guess what? Chances are, the reason you feel so out of control has nothing to do with YOU.


I have here juicy nuggets categorized into 2 aspects for you to read & reflect on!


Nutritional Aspect of Binge-Eating Sweets and Carbs

1. Make sure you are eating enough


If you’re not eating the recommended 1500 calories per day, there’s no doubt you’re not giving your body enough fuel to power you throughout the day. By eating less than what your body needs, you are wreaking havoc on your metabolism and you're forcing it to fight for food.


The reason why your body is craving sweets and asking for carbs is it’s engineered to look for items that can be metabolized the fastest. Carbohydrates go straight into your system and fuel you immediately.


Listen to your biological cues. Stop eating when you’re full and grab a bite if you feel hungry.



2. Eat well-balanced meals and snacks


A well-balanced meal includes protein, fiber, and healthy fats. One indicator of a well-balanced meal is a plate full of color (green, orange, red and more). If you’re not filling your system with enough nutrition, your body is going to signal your brain that it is hungry.


Whenever you feel hunger after 30 minutes from your last meal that is an indicator that you’re not eating nutritious food items.


Keep in mind that craving is your body's signal that it is missing something.



3. Avoid extreme hunger


Extreme hunger leads you to lose in the mental forefront. You can’t think logically and your body’s call for food will win all the time. If your body asks for food, it’s okay to have a bite.


What’s not okay is demonizing snacking. Always remember, it’s not about willpower. It’s about respecting your body’s needs.



4. Stop demonizing and restricting carbs


Carbohydrates are your body's primary source of fuel.


Following fad diets such as “keto” diets are done primarily for neurological reasons and are always followed through by a physician. Otherwise, you’ll be missing out on a major nutritional aspect of your body.



5. Include more sweets during the week


Restricting sweets on weekdays and binge-eating on weekends is not a great trade-off for a healthy life. When you don’t restrict yourself from eating sweets and carbs, you’re taking them off an invisible pedestal and accept their neutrality.


You don’t get into thinking that it’s a limited choice that you must consume in great amounts, immediately.

Mindset Aspect of Binge-Eating Sweets and Carbs

1. There are no good or bad foods


When you categorize food items as good or bad, you resort to a “last supper” mentality upon indulging “bad” food. "Last supper" mentality is binge-eating on the weekends because you've prepared your mind to go into a restrictive mode when the weekdays come.


Always remember, there are no good or bad foods. Only foods that are "more" nutritious or "less" nutritious.



2. Permit yourself to eat food items that you like


Unless you have special restrictions like allergy or intolerance, you must permit yourself to eat sweets or carbs whenever you like, in moderation. If you feel like permitting yourself is only going to make you lose control, then you need to ask yourself these questions:


“Is beating yourself up or is restricting yourself food, ever work in the long run?”

Keep in mind, “whatever you resist, persists.”


When it comes to building healthy eating habits, no amount of physical or emotional restriction, no amount of negative self-talk and no amount of quick band-aid solutions will work.