Brian Wansink (Mindless Eating) says that we make 200 food decisions every day.
Decision-making depletes our willpower.
So for many of us, we are using up the very resource that we need to make healthy choices and avoid defaulting to easy, less-than-healthy junk food.
Self-control / willpower is a good asset to strengthen, of course. But we need to conserve this asset to get through a stressful day.
What’s the answer?
My answer is to set up my life so that I don’t need willpower. With a little bit of time, effort and planning, you can do the same thing.
The first thing to do is create substitutes for your favorite foods, and be willing to make them yourself, so you can always have them on hand.
Of course, you can use tools, like tapping, to get through any tempting situation.
But if you are willing to take the time and effort, you can create healthy substitutes that are equally satisfying, such as 3-ingredient ice cream with chocolate drizzle.
3-Ingredient Ice Cream With Chocolate Drizzle (Serves 2)
For the Ice Cream
3 Bananas (sliced and frozen)
2 tsp. Cocoa or cacao powder (unsweetened)
1 Tbsp. Peanut Butter (or other nut butter)
For The Chocolate Drizzle
1 Tbsp. Cocoa or cacao powder (unsweetened)
1 Tbsp. Coconut oil (melted)
1 Tbsp. Maple Syrup
1. Put the frozen banana slices into a food processor and process for 5-6 minutes until creamy and smooth. You will need to keep stopping and pushing the bananas down the sides.
2. Add the cocoa powder and peanut butter and process until smooth.
3. Mix the drizzle ingredients together and serve. Voila!
Whatever you do, don’t waste your limited supply of willpower on food. It’s unnecessary – if you take the time to make your own sweet and satisfying treats. In my book, cultivating willingness goes a lot further than depending on your limited supply of willpower.
Ice cream, anyone?

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