Good Cheats: Craving Treats

As I read many of my friends, and of course myself, making lifestyle changes so far in this new year, I had to think about the pitfalls we all have to encounter through our journeys. We have given up things like chocolate, soda, cake and so on and so on, to help us achieve our fitness and nutrition goals.  It may not be easy but if we really think it's worth it, we'll probably do it. Although, there are times you 'just gotta have' your treats. I have found ways to help curb those cravings.

• Soda/Pop: Instead of opening up a can (or 2 litre) of Diet Coke/Coke Zero or whatever your pop of preference might be, buy lots of lemons and a 12-pack of club soda instead.  It gives you that carbonation you crave, without all those extra calories or empty promises of drinking diet drinks to a thinner you. Club soda has no hidden sugars, artificial flavouring or artificial colouring. It's just carbonated water. Squeeze in a wedge or two of lemon and you're good to go. I actually love it. It does take out the boring in drinking 8 glasses of water a day. One of those carbonated and the rest regular give your necessary hydration without being so 'boring'

• Alcoholic Beverages: Most diets require you to nix alcohol all together, but let's face it, in the reality of our world, it's not easy to be social without having a drink or two, especially with an evening outing. So if you're going to have a drink or two, try to stay away from rum  and rye because they are high in sugars. If you're going to drink beer, try staying with lighter beers or limiting yourself to just a couple. If you want to stay on that train of drinking low cal, the best alcoholic beverages for you would be, wine (red or white), vodka soda or gin and soda. 
• Junk Food: I've never been a big advocate of junk food, but sometimes you feel like you need that bag of chips, or that candy bar and maybe even those 7-11 nasty cheese nachos. Best thing to do is not bother, but here are some better alternatives to having those cravings. I tend to carry an organic trail mix with me of nuts seeds and dried cranberries in a zip loc bag, so when I am on the go and need some food, I dip into that.  If you really want some chocolate, I suggest Green and Blacks Organic Chocolate bars. I portion them out  and then stash the remainder of the bar in the cupboard. If I really have a hankering for more, I'd have to get off my ass to get it, and usually after I am done that portion, I'm pretty satisfied. 
• Fast Food: The scourge of our society's nutrition, in my opinion.  Now everyone loves to have a greasy burger or deep fried French fries every now and then so try to find something 'less bad' for you on that fast food menu.  Having a bake potato at Wendy's is better than devouring a Baconator (oh but it's so good) and will fill you just enough until you can have something better either at home or else where. I usually just try to stay away in general, and pack snacks in my bag if I am so indulged to eat when I am out and about. 

We're not perfect. We're not machines. We are human beings who want to live a healthier lifestyle and we are all learning as we go along. Also, what works for me, might not work for you. Nothing is perfect, but there is always ways to improve.

If you end up facing pitfalls during your nutrition plans and your fitness. I live by "If you ate it, negate it", meaning, if you ate something bad, spend that extra little more time exercising to make sure you stay on track. I am about being accountable for what I consume. So I will work a little harder to make sure I stay on track.

Cutting out the clutter in our daily diets will pay off in the long run for better overall health, you just have to be aware of the pitfalls and be able to get back up when you do fall.

Justine Galo