…until you are done indulging.
I just finished a box of crackers that I kept proclaiming to be, not very good. Yet, as the box stared me in the face on the counter each day (not having quite made it to the bin), I reached in, for just one, to take away a small growing hunger. Once I had one cracker, inevitably, another handful ensued. These were not delicious, but I could not stop from having them, one after another as if I was willing them to taste great; subliminally they were great. Until I stopped eating them. Then they were not (great). At that point, I finally realized, for the tenth time, how mediocre they were.
This is where I proclaim never to buy cracker products again (ha). Well, I certainly won’t buy that product again… until I do; amnesia sets in at some point during trips to the market (why? I don’t know). What I do know is never say never. Although, I really do mean it at the time. Indulgence is tricky. Sometimes it is for good things and sometimes for bad. Willpower is not my strong suit since making excuses (justifications) is something I do particularly well (at least in my head).
Once when I was young, say 10 or 12, I was canoeing on the lake behind our house and consumed an entire box of Ritz crackers. I just c o u l d n o t stop. I kept telling myself it was okay to keep eating them because, now opened they would just go bad, or, more likely, get soggy. I told myself that I was skinny and these were wafer thin. I had already indulged in half the pack so I might as well finish the rest. So I did. Later I became sick.
I don’t deny myself food when I feel it is needed (whatever that need might be), but I wish I had willpower to say no to those things that I know will not agree with me later.
So, today, right here, right now, rather than give you the anti-cracker (because I don’t really know what the anti-cracker would be – thoughts?), instead, I vow never to eat a full box of crackers again (at least not mediocre ones) and I give you my top 10 list of things (better for you than crackers) that I should (and do) eat when hungry for a snack (not in any particular order).
Cottage cheese (one or two spoonfuls usually does the trick, otherwise a slice of Swiss cheese will do). What am I saying? Cheese, just cheese.
Toast! With great butter and jam, or almond butter (see below).
Beans of any legume variety (I am addicted to black, pinto and white beans, lentils, chickpeas, cranberry beans, or the like, and of course – hummus!). I am literally, full of beans.
Leftover steak (yes, I usually have a little piece of tenderloin in our ‘fridge cooked from our “Friday steak night”). If not, roast chicken, roast pork or turkey cutlets are usually afoot. The stand-in deli meat makes an occasional appearance. Just need a little meat please (Buddy-approved statement).
Avocado, scooped straight from the shell. Morning, noon or night.
Granola (I usually have homemade or good-quality granola hanging about). This is a good substitute for dessert, one handful would (should) be sufficient.
Nuts of any kind, but best of all are sprouted almonds or sprouted pumpkin seeds (no added salt).
Almond butter, in substitute of PB (best scooped finger to mouth, Ginger-approved).
Goat’s milk ice cream (with La Loo, why would you even eat cow’s milk?).
Mini tacos. Don’t ask, on the “bad” list.
Figs (when in season), smushed onto a crostini slathered with chèvre. Sometimes also drizzled with honey.
Hmmm… I think that was eleven (but one does go on the bad list).
Cottage cheese works well for Buddy. He prefers a fork to a spoon.
Ginger enjoys this diversion from licking paws (sort of).
Me…well, I had a little bit of each.
The “nibbler” strikes again.
What is your go to snack?
Adorable dogs!! My mom’s rule for anything out of the bag is to always put some in a bowl, never eat out of the bag.. I think it’s a good tip and applies to a lot of foods, even heathy ones!
Thanks Katie; we think they are pretty adorable too (and not just ‘cuz we love them). Your mom has the right idea. It always taste better in a nice vessel.
Like if I didn’t pour edamame in a cup, I could easily eat the whole bag! Haha some things are too good to stop eating
I’m with you; it does help with portion control (the problem though is, I know where to find the rest).
Yeah that’s the problem!
Ah, it’s never just one!! My answer is not to ever have just that one, I remind myself that these things are specifically designed to make you want more, it’s how they are produced, to trigger responses in your brain and remove your self discipline, so I never ever have that ‘one’ any more. Been there, done it, felt sick, hated myself – life is far better not even having one! Or having anything that has been made by anyone other than me :))
True, true. Must remember to use self-discipline. I try to say never ever but that “one” has a way of tricking me every now and then.
Ha ha!
I love Ginger’s little pink tongue. Honestly there’s nothing more annoying than having to finish a whole packet of something only to realise that they weren’t really that good… 😉
Her tongue is quite pink (good sign) and long (good for licking almond butter). The worst part is I realized they weren’t very good before finishing the box but kept eating them anyways.
You are so funny, Stacey. Will power often eludes me. *tear* I’m totally with you on the mini tacos, though. I could go for some right about now!
Ha, thanks. I think you should go grab a mini taco now.
Don’t you go tempting me!! 😉
Love your list. I’ll head for a piece of fruit or a bit of cheese, any kind of cheese. On a really good day, I’ll have both fruit and cheese. And if there’s some wine around, all the better. 🙂
All the better indeed! If not a really good day, the cheese, wine and fruit make it one (good day, that is).
This sounds all to familiar! NikNaks in my case. Do you know them? My vice. Full of carbs, and colourants and all we should avoid but alas, when I start I cannot stop and feel horrible when I see the emprty packet.
I don’t know of NikNaks; probably for the best. It is a vicious cycle isn’t it?
Dontcha just hate food guilt?!? I’ve attacked my snack problem by being too lazy to shop. When I do manage to shop I like to bring home apples for afternoon snacking. If they happen to fall into the coco-peanut butter, well… my body must need the protein. I like the Friday steak night concept. Wish every night could be steak night!
Yes, I do hate food guilt! I fall into the too lazy to shop category from time to time; there is an up side. I can just picture your apple falling, with pleasure, atop an open jar of coco-peanut butter (does that actually exist)?
Oh yes, coco-peanut butter is real, and it’s amazing. It’s by Earth Balance, only at one store around here but worth the trip!