Get out of Food Jail: Adopting a Both-And; not and Either-Or Mindset

Ever feel like you’re playing tug‑of‑war with yourself over food? 🤼‍♀️

If you’re the type who strives to "be good" or “eat clean” all week then “cheats” or "splurges" on weekends, travel, or special occasions… you’re not alone! 😅

Here’s how I found more equilibrium, calm and balance by adding instead of restricting:

Trust me, I've done it all and tried every diet—paleo, keto, gluten‑free… even intuitive eating (how exactly do you just “listen” when your body wants junk? 🤷‍♀️). Now I’m in the sweet spot: a both‑and mindset instead of either‑or. Check out these simple shifts from my week:

• 🧀 Cheese craving
  I craved Jarlsberg, so I grabbed that chunk… then rounded it out with turkey sticks, colorful veggies, fun dips, and blueberries for extra phytonutrients and fiber.

• 🌮 Chips fix
  Tortilla chips have been calling my name lately! So, I gave myself full permission to enjoy them, and I mixed in Quest protein chips, protein pretzels, dark‑chocolate almonds, and chia seeds for protein, healthy fats, fiber to create a fun (and much more filling!) snack mix.

• 🥣 Cereal mood
  Sometimes you just want cereal! I subbed half a chocolate protein shake for milk, layered in protein‑packed cereal, and topped with whipped cream to make a post‑workout parfait that hits different. 😋

Ditching black‑and‑white, all-or-nothing thinking is kinda where the magic lies when in most areas of life—and that includes eating! Are ultraprocessed snacks the most optimal option? No—but when a craving hits, choosing a slightly better option is still a win. 🏆

Don't let perfect be the enemy of good enough.

Reminder: When it comes to anything in your life, there is no "cheating" without losing. YOU are in charge.

You get to choose—and you own the outcomes. So let's make those choices mindfully…and enjoy every single bite! ✨🍽️