I clearly remember one extraordinarily stressful day while I was working in Manhattan in the early 1980's. I was living on my own, and on the way home I stopped by a local convenience store to pick up a quart of Sedutto's chocolate ice cream. While on the bus home I decided that one of the advantages of living alone was that you could eat anything you wanted, at any time of day, and no one else would know about it but you.
Photograph: Mark Andersen/Getty Images/Rubberball
There's a saying people jokingly throw around that if you eat in the dark, no one can see you so there are no calories in the food you eat.
That goes for eating alone, too. Let me tell you from experience: it isn't true.
I ate an entire quart of ice cream for dinner, scarfing it down while thinking that with every bite it would erase my stress.
SPOILER ALERT: It didn't help.
I was in my twenties and never worried about cholesterol levels or how much fat was in a serving. I ate for pleasure, attended weekly aerobic classes, and I'm sure I walked at least 10,000 steps a day getting around Manhattan.
That was then. This is now.
These days, I have to watch everything I eat. I must consider cholesterol levels and how much my daily fat intake is. And I definitely don't walk 10,000 steps a day.
I also worry about genetics, and how to work on beating the ones I inherited.
And then there's stress. My personal stress has been high lately. Believe me when I tell you I've been dying for a quart of some delicious chocolate ice cream, dripping with hot fudge.
This past weekend we went out with some friends to our favorite Chinese restaurant. I love this particular place because, aside from not using any MSG (I know when restaurants use it; I feel as if I'm having a heart attack when my heart races a mile a minute), they also offer a healthy menu.
I ordered the baked tofu with ginger, garlic and vegetables with brown rice, and shared some other dishes as well. I love that tofu dish, and always look forward to it.
Then we took a walk downtown. It's a quaint town with lovely little shops and a mix of ethnic restaurants. I was excited to finally have a chance to be outdoors after the winter from hell we're experiencing has kept us indoors for a l-o-n-g time.
Ah, fresh air.
Then we walked past a Cold Stone Creamery. It's never been my favorite ice cream, but the smell of the ice cream, plus those M&M's that were yelling screaming at me to try them, was a true test.
I passed. I kept thinking about the progress I've been making at Jenny Craig, and how delicious their Triple Chocolate Cheesecake would taste when I got home..
I replaced my desire for M&M's with the thought of a healthier choice, and the knowledge that I wanted to continue my journey of healthier eating.
One baby step at a time, I am trying to reach my personal goals of looking and feeling better. That's all I can ask of myself: one day at a time.
What are you doing to be a healthier eater?
*I received a free month on the Jenny Craig program, and a discount on food for this review. There was no compensation. All opinions are solely my own. NOTE: Clients following the Jenny Craig program lose, on average, 1 -2 lbs. per week.
Girlfriend & I were just talking about this in the car yesterday! Great minds.
Me too girl me too!! Since we raise our grandson things are a little different around here when it comes to dinner. He won't eat a thing. We finally agreed on popcorn last night, but for me, it's healthy foods all the way!!
I agree. Not easy to walk the streets of Montclair and not give in to temptation!
I remember those days in Manhattan VERY well. I seriously should have been a size two with all that walking! I'll admit, sometimes I do the "ice cream for dinner" - but for me it's a big bowl of pasta with sauce and cheese. I used to make it whenever I wanted and so when I make it now I add a green and share it with my daughter. 😉 And it works. Sorta.
Ha! I had birthday cake for dinner last night. I'm going with the Bill Cosby rationalization: It's got milk, eggs and flour -- sounds good! I used the same rationalization when the kid asked for leftover pizza for breakfast: it's got bread, cheese and fruit. What's bad???? Besides, its the breakfast of college students.
I admire your willpower, Cathy. I'm not sure I could have passed by the ice cream store!
When I have stopped eating sugar it's been easy after a few days. I just try to think of it as poison - which for me, it is. And I adore chocolate! But I have to avoid sugar as much as possible. Isn't aging fun 🙂 ???
I have eaten ice cream for dinner more times than I care to admit although I can't really do that any more either. It's always a personal victory to pass up ice cream but that Jenny cheesecake usually does the trick. Good job, Cathy! I'm so proud of you!
Sounds like you're developing some nice healthy habits. I just finished my last pint of gelato and vow to not buy more this week. I want to focus on reducing the foods I eat with lots of added sugar. I'm eating more and more raw veggies and being careful about reading labels.
Kudos to you for passing up the incessant cries of the M&Ms and ice cream.
I'm crossing my fingers you're correct about the no calories when eating alone. I have delicious homemade cinnamon rolls left over from the weekend that are calling my name for today's breakfast. I'm going to eat them alone... for the sole purpose of testing your theory. I'll keep ya posted.
You've got it right Cathy...One baby step at a time and one day at a time!
I too remember when I could recover a lot faster from an indulgence than I can now. I also did not have the stress level I had when I was younger, back they something could be stressful but then life would return to normal. I haven't quite figured out what to do when crazy and extreme stress is the new normal now! Thanks for a great post, it does feel good when I can postpone one choice for a healthier, yet still yummy choice. Thanks!
Wait ice cream isn't dinner? Kidding. When I lived in NY I had many restaurants on speed dial or later programmed in my phone. They were mostly very healthy restaurants this being the upper west side. And great for me alone or company--horrible kitchen
Now I have to cook--but a grill and counter space to cut vegetables and roast them go a long way.
We don't have a whole foods or trader joe's so I feel very very cheated!
Wow, if your brain can override your smell, you are making quite the progress! Interesting how you are now aware of your thought patterns - I want that. It won't help me reach my goals. I'm going to keep walking. That is the hard part.
Good for you Cathy! Amazing to me to eat tofu and bypass ice-cream. Ice cream for dinner, been there! I do like popcorn for dinner too.
Oh Cathy, I keep waiting for someone to come up with a weight loss chocolate. Maybe the Swiss can work that angle.
I just eat everything in moderation.
You have the willpower! So hard to resist a good cold bowl of ice cream. Don't know if I could have done it.