By Tanya Rosen
- Make yourself a list of “no-nos.” Before Pesach make a list of food that you are committed to not having at all. For example: cake, kugel, chocolate, etc.
- Get dressed every day and even by the night meals. It is hard to know when we are full or have eaten enough when we are wearing robes and pajamas. Also, looking our best makes us feel better and more in control.
- Avoid temptation. If you must buy chocolate, buy items that other people like but that are easier for you to resist.
- If you get off track, don’t try to undereat in order to fix it. This will just set up a vicious cycle where you go to the next meal hungry. Try to get back to your normal structure as quickly as possible.
- Plan your chol ha’moed outings well. Bring along cut veggies and sugar-free gum and candy along with your lunch and snack so you don’t come home starving.
- Don’t feel obligated to eat because people around you are eating or pressuring you to eat. Similarly, don’t feel obligated to overeat because it’s a yom tov. There is no mitzvah to overeat but there IS a mitzvah to take good care of your health. Keep this in mind when sitting at long yom tov meals.
- Prewrite all your meals and snacks, based on realistic timing and based on what you’re allowed to eat.
- Pre-measure your matzah in advance and keep it in a Ziploc bag next to your seat.
- Make sure you have lots of good reading material so that food isn’t the only source of entertainment.
- If the meals are long, get up and take a break, clear your head, and take note of whether you are still hungry or not. Don’t take your break in the kitchen where there is more food around. Go to a different room for a few minutes or even for a walk around the block.
Most importantly, don’t give up even if you feel like you aren’t doing well. It’s a long holiday so just get right back on track instead of saying “I’ll wait until after Pesach.” n
Tanya Rosen is the owner of Nutrition by Tanya and Sculpt by Tanya with 12 locations in NY, NJ, and Israel. Tanya is also the creator of the TAP Healthy Food Line, Shape Fitness kosher workout DVDs, and Cooking with Tanya cookbook series. For more information: 844-TANYA-DIET (826-9234), nutritionbytanya.com, or info@nutritionbytanya.com.
