Throughout this trial, things have felt to be a huge hassle. I’m not particularly enjoying trying to keep up with and record what I’ve eaten. I think I know why. Most things in my life I prefer to take a proactive approach, rather than reactive.
Planning vs Tracking
For the past few weeks, I’ve been tracking and journaling what my meals. It’s been interesting to think about but also become more work than I feel the benefits are worth.
Something I’ve found I’ve gotten more benefit out of is simply planning meals in the past. Instead of trying to stay on track with what I’ve eaten during or after, I have the idea in mind. There are many things in general that I feel I operate better at by simply being proactive. In regards to food especially, I feel when I plan ahead, I waste less food and worry less.
My personal tactic is to use a calendar and plan meals through that. I’ll often only need to plan dinner, as many lunches are simply leftovers and breakfast is usually a quick bite or coffee, depending on how I feel in the morning.
I see how closer tracking can be beneficial for people following a particular regiment, but I’ve never enjoyed overthinking food.
Quick Thoughts on Diets
Something I tried a little over a year ago was a vegetarian diet. I feel I’ve discovered more and more diets as time goes on. Each claiming to be the healthiest and best for you.
In general, I kind of hate diets. Call me stubborn, but I am not a fan of losing the creativity that comes with cooking or sharing food. Creatively structuring meals around particular diets, on the other hand, that I can get into. Constraints develop creativity. Coming back around to the vegetarian trial from last year, I’ve been trying to experiment with vegan and vegetarian meals. Putting together plant based meals that don’t feel lacking has been an interesting adventure in cooking.
Food plays a big role in our personal lives and in society as a whole. It can be easy to take it for granted, but on the other side of the coin overthinking and analyzing food is just as bad. I’ve definitely enjoyed thinking a bit more about food than I normally do, but there’s definitely a limit.
Trying Out Before Buying In 