Sunday 24 May 2009

Learning From The Start

Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on intuitive eating- seems to be something a lot of us struggle with. I wonder how many people truly eat intuitively? I think kids set a great example of knowing when they are hungry/full, and making it clear what they like and don't like.
What was your experience with food when you were growing up?

I was brought up eating a pretty healthy and varied diet- all the kids at school would bring chips/cookies for break time, and I would have tubs of dried fruit and mushrooms! We all sat down to meals at home together and were expected to finish what we were given without any arguments complaints about what was served. This was good because it meant I tried a lot of things most kids probably don't eat regularly (snails!), but on the other hand, I think it makes it harder now because eating intuitively/according to what my body asks for has never been encouraged.


**********

Last night I cooked!


Quorn fillets chopped up in tomato sauce with laughing cow cheese melted in, mixed with pasta. My obsession with quorn is growing... There are so many things you can do with this stuff! I love that it's high in protein, but soy free, and so much cheaper than meat/fish. It has more flavour itself than tofu, but also takes on the taste of whatever it is cooked with.

This morning's breakfast was...a challenge.


Mini chocolate and raisin oatibix with skimmed milk and sliced banana.

Looks ugly innocent enough, and was certainly 'safe'- the challenge refers to yesterday's post about my fear of being hungry. I usually make sure to get a decent amount of protein and fiber, along with a little fat at breakfast- just what seems to work best for me. This meal was much more "carb" based and I was really scared of a repeat of yesterday morning's horrible empty feeling (I have no issues with consuming carbohydrates, I just prefer my meals to be more balanced). The verdict? I need to trust my body more! I really liked this breakfast and was just as comfortable afterwards as my other breakfasts: moral of the story? Some days different nutrients are required for different purposes. Today this worked.

Lunch was a protein packed FIESTA!


I have decided to call this a 'burrito bowl'. For no other reason than that it contains salsa. It isn't in a bowl, and although I've never been, doubt very much that it's anything LIKE what Chipotle serve...good nonetheless. In the mix: tuna, kidney beans, rice and salsa on a bed of spinach and alfalfa sprouts.

I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend- what have you got planned for Memorial Day?

12 comments:

Thinspired said...

Well, I think you know that I am in the midst of my intuitive eating journey ;) I agree that kids are a great example...what happens to us along the way?! I had a healthy, normal childhood and relationship with food but somehow the teenage years messed with my head.

Anonymous said...

Hmm.. I'm not sure how I feel about this intuitive eating thing. If I went with intuition, I think I would be eating very bad things. I guess you need to find what work for you.

I don't think your breakfast looks ugly at all - in fact, it looks positively delicious!

K from ksgoodeats said...

All of your meals look fantastic!! I love the sounds of that dinner and your faux burrito bowl (I've never had Chipotle so I couldn't tell you if it was like it or not ;) )!

When I was little, I never - even as a baby - at meat! It shouldn't be a surprise that I don't eat it now!

Anonymous said...

Everything looks so good, Ellie! Kudos with all the cooking. I love the Quorn + pasta... like a healthy chicken parm! Gotta try that one.

Anonymous said...

I think I was pretty normal about food until I was 12ish. I did decide to become vegetarian when I was nine when no one else in my family was, but that was for ethical rather than eating disordered reasons. Other than that, I don't remember food being an issue, I just ate when I was hungry and didn't when I wasn't! Weird how people forget how to do that.
I'm so glad your breakfast challenge worked so well, go you! I get worried about not getting enough protein, fibre and fat in to stop me getting hungry too early too, but it doesn't seem to make much of a difference in practise. Apparently bodies don't read books on nutrition :p

Anonymous said...

I too ate a healthy, varied diet growing up along with the rest of my family.

I love reading about your different quorn products. I keep looking out for similar, cheaper supermarket label products.

Nutritious is Delicious said...

I would say I am still not a 100% intuitive eater! But, it will come with time. As a kid, I ate beefaroni, Hamburger Helper, Mac N Cheese and was a happy and healthy kid! Then I grew up and started deciding that I wanted to eat a LITTLE differently! haha

I saw that oatibix at my grocery store the other day, but not that flavor! If I can't find it, I may take you up on your offer to do a trade!

Cacti Don't Cry said...

As odd as it is, I don't really remember very much about my experience with food growing up!! I don't suppose it was extremely healthy, given the attitude everyone else around here has toward food.

Yay for cooking!! (I found Quorn here, BTW... nope, not kosher.)

Breakfast can't look ugly... but then again, that's just because I'm a breakfast food person. ;p

<3 <3

Anonymous said...

good for you ellie! glad you challenged yourself this morning...I hope it got rid of a lot of unreasonable ED fears and anxieties!
I had a pretty bad relationship with food ever since I was young. I never ate enough, I was extremely picky, and snacked all the time rather than have solid meals. drove my parents crazy!

Anonymous said...

I am trying to listen to when my body is hungry...but I don't know, I more just stick to my plan. Maybe I will eat a meal a little eariler if I am starving and able to, but I think I usually just more follow a plan. I can easily clear a plate and not feel full.
I guess I had the typical American food growing up. Cereal for breakfast, pancakes and stuff on the weekends, sandwiches, fuit, cookies or something for lunch, afternoon snack, and then my mom usually made dinner. It really varried what she made. I remember not eating out a lot, but we did get fast food occassionally.
Protein, plus (yes, I know it is scary) FAT helps keep you full.
Take care!

Anonymous said...

Hi! Thanks for commenting on my blog, glad I could stop by yours :)

I love Quorn cutlets too, I agree that they are very versatile, and have a good flavor...and I'm not even vegetarian!

Anonymous said...

yum, yum, yum! Everything you whipped up looks delicious! And I'm so happy that you were able to challenge yourself and just do what you wanted. I'm definitely all about balance with my meals. But your breakfast totally was: it had fruit (nanner), carbs (oatibix), and dairy/protein (soy milk.)

I def grew up in a family where we ate amazing food. My mom is an incredibly cook and we always had really balanced meals. We always ate as a family and sat together at the dinner table talking about the day, school, etc. If we were sent off with lunch (i.e. camp or something like that), it was always something like a sandwich, carrots and ranch, some fruit, maybe some crackers, and always a little treat like a homemade cookie or an oreo. A little bit of everything in other words. Oh and she would always write a note on our napkins too. It was always my favorite part about taking my lunch to camp! :)

p.s. just sent you some cali sunshine! haha And try your local Ralph's for the PB&J Almonds. That's where I got mine. Oh and whenever I hit up NYC, I always do major shopping! haha The airport doesnt appreciate it. :)