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The Great Substitute by Anissa Perkins Anyone who’s lived any amount of time will admit; life has its ups and downs. Life presents situations that require you to sacrifice and after you’ve sacrificed, you are sometimes still disappointed by the outcome. In an effort to lead disciplined lives we deny ourselves daily. We deny ourselves financially. “The budget says I can’t get that this week.” We deny our flesh its desires we know will result in death. Romans 8:12-13 says, “Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” (NKJ) Or do we? Yes, we don’t curse, have sex outside of marriage, drink or smoke… but we substitute. Unfortunately our substitution in many cases is equally as harmful to our bodies as drinking and smoking. What is this substance we unnecessarily consume in excessive quantities and at inappropriate times? FOOD. We need food to live. Food provides nutrients and vitamins our body’s system needs to function. So what happens when we begin to use food for purposes other than satisfying hunger? We develop a dependency. It’s our comfort, our crutch. We turn to food for other solutions that it’s really unable to provide. When we’re sad and lonely, we turn to chocolate, which contains a substance called phenyl ethylamine, which promotes a similar chemical balance to the sensation of feeling in love. When we’re anxious, we may turn to breads, pastas or other carbohydrates, which in amounts of 25 to 50g can trigger the production of the mood-altering chemical serotonin. This eases anxiety within about 20 minutes, according to a nutritionist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. As a result of the inherent “feel-good” factor, we turn to these items more and more. In the long run, however, they can cause lethargy and weight gain, which make you feel worse. How do know if you use food as a substitute? Ask yourself why you are eating, are you truly hungry, is it mealtime? Are you upset, angry, or depressed? Do you feel like you are always sacrificing in your life, and you deserve something? Do you tell yourself, “It’s okay, it won’t hurt - you deserve it?”
What are some tips to stop using food as a substitute? According to Healthy Lifestyle…
Whenever you’re about to eat, pause. Stop and think about what it is you’re really feeling at that moment. Anger, boredom, loneliness, entitlement? Keep a food journal. Log the feelings and emotions that prompt you to reach for the cookie jar, ice cream tub, potato chip bag, etc… Plan your meals and snacks as much as possible. Eat every 2 to 3 hours. Keep tempting