What has IF taught you?

I've been able to break some disordered thinking surrounding food. Last week, I chose to eat a package of instant ramen. The carbs, calories, and general disatisfaction after eating such an empty meal stopped me for a long time. I had fear surrounding eating these. I've been doing IF either 22/2 or 21/3, and having my daily calories in that short amount of time has been really working well for my mental state. I made the ramen, added 150g silken tofu and 2 eggs to the broth once the noodles cooked, along with scallions and some finely shredded cabbage. Balanced it out and made it a satisfying, satiating meal. I enjoyed it. Carb macro was a little higher that day than what I would prefer, but mentally I felt good about it. Didn't guilt spural and binge, or compensate with a dangerous amount of exercise. Next up is potato! I'm so excited that I'm down 5kg/11lbs in 3 weeks! Another 5kg to go until i'm out of the 90's, and 10lbs until i'm in one-derland!

Answer

I feel like IF has helped me repair my relationship with food. I do 18:6 (sometimes 16:8 depending on the day) usually 2 meals a days with maybe a banana or apple in between if needed and I feel like I’m finally free from my food addiction. I eat healthy wholesome meals for lunch and dinner full of nutrients and if I have the occasional treat I’m satisfied with a single square of dark chocolate or a single cookie whereas before I would go overboard and overindulge. I don’t feel hungry or deprived while fasting and if I start to feel hungry during the end of my fasting window it’s not a big deal anymore or something to obsess over. I feel like I finally have power over my food choices and how much I’m consuming and when. No foods are off limits, I can still eat fun foods I just make choices in moderation and in healthy portions.

Answer

As someone who makes their own miso soup every day let me just say - now try making some from scratch, it’s so worth it.

It’s so much more healthy than the freeze dried fried noodles that come in brick form and it tastes amazing.

If you’re into cooking that is, no pressure if not. Good ramen and nabeyaki udon are my favorite Japanese foods.

Also like making beef bulgogi but that’s a totally different dish from Korea.