Help! Why Can’t I Stop Stuffing My Face?

I don’t know what’s happening to me, but I cannot stop eating.

You’d think starting a new workout regime would abate my appetite, but apparently the opposite is happening.

I’m not obsessive about eating right, but I aim for healthy breakfasts and always pack my own lunch. I’m talking healthy protein, greens and brown rice – I am a meal prep dream. Despite all that, for some reason every day for the last week or so I’ve felt the need to indulge in chocolate or candy. They haven’t been huge binges, but it’s a little worrying that I feel the need to supplement my otherwise clean eating with junk food.

Then I spoke to Frida, our genius nutritionist. She mentioned two possible reasons why I might be feeling the need to eat more:

1. It’s getting colder, at least here in Stockholm, which tends to leave us feeling like we need to eat more carb for energy and warmth.

2. When we start working out we tend to eat more (why God, why?!)

I think the second reason, while relevant to me, isn’t that much of a big deal for you guys, but point number one is something we can all relate to.

So here’s what to eat more of as it gets colder:

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Carbs

When we say carbs we mean the non-processed, naturally occurring type. Thing carrots, sweet potatoes, broccoli, brown rice, whole grain pasta – fiber will keep you fuller for longer, so cravings should be less of an issue, and because these foods are non-processed, the break down of them is slow which means they keep you energised for longer too!

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Vitamins

Fruit and veg y’all. Tons of them. Fill on up. Have a serving of fruit with breakfast, like a handful of blueberries or raspberries. Mid-morning, grab something else, like an orange, which is packed full of vitamin C, to help you fight the cold and flu. With lunch, go for cabbage vegetables like cauliflower, brussels sprouts, kale, and bok choy, as these are full of fiber, vitamin C, vitamin A carotenoids, vitamin K, antioxidants, and protein. They’ll keep you full, keep you healthy, and keep you energized. After lunch, have more fruit, and with dinner, fill your plate with vegetables – just roast them in the oven and you’re good to go (have you tried roasted cauliflower? You should, it’s amazing!)

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We’re never going to tell you to cut out sugar completely, because it’s close to impossible; but if you feel the need to indulge, try your best to go for clean, non-processed, foods, and eat a single serving.

As long as you’re active, and eating healthy foods most of the time, a little chocolate here or there won’t affect you.

/Femi, The Girl Who Hates Working Out

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