I've been losing weight and doing very well. I used to just eat everything I could find and that made things difficult. I have always been told by people who try to drop weight that you need to find an activity that keeps your mind and hands busy. Find other hobbies that work for you and occupy your time. An old habit I developed the first go around while on Atkins has returned. I lost almost 100 lbs a few years ago. During this time, I discovered that BAKING helps distract me from eating. I don't get it.
When I am in ketosis on Atkins I don't crave bread, sugar, flour, carbs. I am not tempted to taste ingredients, the batter, and I don't even smell the foods baking. Anyway, what I learned then, and still works now, is that baking is a great distraction for me. Baking shouldn't work, right? I mean I am surrounded by food, tons of food, you can't even taste test.
Last week it was making banana bread, and apple cake. Today, jumbo size loaves of sweet potato bread, and a double batch of cookies.
I can't explain how baking works, I really can't. Somehow planning the recipe, digging thru cook books or searching online keeps my mind from thinking about eating food. I focus on following the steps in the recipe gathering all the ingredients and assembling things. Maybe its the ritual of baking I find relaxing? All I know is that my family and friends love it because its not uncommon for me to bake multiple items daily.
I follow the same process each time of picking ingredients and come up with a recipe. Generally, its to use up old food items like fruit that family didn't eat before ripened. I don't know if I'm trying to test my self control or if the entire process just relaxes me and makes it easier to be around food? I've never had a great relationship with food, being a binge eater. I just notice I don't touch the items I bake at all, not even tempted. I prepare the items, bake them, and then I'm done..detached.
Any ideas, or has anyone else noticed this behavior?
In the past, baking a pan of brownies or a cake wouldn't work because I'd half the batter first. Should I just leave well enough alone and not try to figure it out. Just be thankful I don't eat any of it?
Well I love baking, and I love it even more now that I'm low carb and grain free because it makes recipes even more interesting and complicated.
In fact when I get home tonight I had planned on baking some very simple cupcakes. Now, I can see how if you're doing Atkins or ketosis you might not be able to eat what you're baking, even if you do it the healthy way.
The cupcakes I'm making tonight will have about 10gs of carbs, which for me is fine because I eat no more than 100gs of carbs per day, but I realize for some people that's like half their day of carbs.
But if you love baking and you aren't finding yourself chowing down on all the treats you're making then I think it's great!
I personally don't bake things I can't eat because there's no one to give them to and I really do love enjoying one of my baked goods with a cup of tea and just reveling in the amount of time and effort put into the treat and also, I particularly like the feeling of having made something that is tasty that also fits in my plan.
But I have been thinking about baking Christmas cookies to take to my on of my classes at college. I just love how excited people get when you give them sugar!
Of course, I also feel bad for giving them sugar because it's bad for them but if they're going to eat sugar anyways I might as well be there to witness the excitement.
I am the same exact way, and it's why I menu plan and batch/freezer cook so much!
It sets me up for success, though, too because I'm saving money, saving time and energy, and I always have healthy frozen meals and meal starters at my disposal.
Plus, it relaxes me so very much and is my creative outlet.
I bake all the time! It's one of my favorite hobbies, and baking really helps me stick to my diet (I eat what I bake, and the baking/eating gives me something to look forward to every week.) Tonight, I'm baking an apple pastry and next week, I'll be baking some sweet-potato-and-coconut brownies.
I used to bake really rich and fattening junk food, but I've switched over to baking really nutritious and low-calorie cakes. Baking is something I definitely need to "get out of my system."
I'm the opposite - when I can't eat it I have no interest in making it. I still do a lot of cooking/baking for my family, but it's a bit annoying to not be able to lick a spoon.
I fill the not-eating time with piano, sewing, embroidery, knitting, reading, etc. And honestly, that's a struggle, because I don't have much downtime in my day with everyone but my husband at home 24/7.
To be clear, I don't bake but go through the same ritual cooking and freezing meals for me to eat in the future. It may be a good option for you AND make it easier to eat on days you may not feel like cooking.
I find I am doing the same thing. The guys at the animal shelter where I volunteer love my goodies each week! I also have two sons away at college so they (and friends) are enjoying the bounty!
My husband and I have a small side business baking cakes and cupcakes. I love creating my fondant and gumpaste pieces, and it definitely keeps me busy. I've found that after two years of baking, two to three days a week I have absolutely no interest in eating or tasting any of it. Once in a while when we try a new recipe or flavor I'll give it a try, but other than that, none for me thanks. I am sick of cake! I guess that worked in my favor!
Although I did enjoy one pumpkin cupcake from the first batch of the season.
I love baking simply for the process. Pastry people are certainly a very...particular type of people hahaah! total scientists in the kitchen. Don't even care if I eat it or if I don't (like if it was for an event and not for me). The bake n freeze wouldn't work for me because I'll never have enough room in the freezer considering hte frequency that I like to bake vs amt and rate at which I eat.
I say if there are people in your life who want it and don't want to be on some sort of diet - like they freely just enjoy the baked goods, have at it!
I mean, I don't get hooked on cigs - ever, but I do on sugar. If someone offered me a cig, I wouldn't feel bad, I might say yes, I might say no, so I see it the same way if I knew that the people around me didn't feel the same way about sugar/weight loss that I do (and usually by the time I want to bake for them I know them well enough to make that decision). I've worked in places with plenty of people with no weight or health issues (i got to know them over time) and enjoyed an occasional treat and then they could put it down. They regularly ordered some treats and enjoyed a few each. I'm not one of those types - too bad haha.
Baking Habit When Dieting?
