Food Tripping

I’m coming out. It’s not what you think.

Every week I’ll be sharing my personal stories and my thoughts and recommendations on healthy food, intuition, movement, growth mindset and women, all sprinkled with a touch of spirituality.

I’m writing about some of my life experiences – the good and the bad - with the hope that they resonate with you. Mine is not a linear path but a winding road with twists and turns - a life filled with family, friends, gratitude and love. Where has your path taken you?

Today I am a trained Holistic Health Coach and a major foodie. I love healthy, clean, organic food and to share my passion for wellness with anyone who will listen!

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Let’s Dive In….

My friend and fellow Substack writer Geri Hirsch recently published a blog entitled Future Tripping. The terminology is defined as, “someone who worries about completely made-up future scenarios that will likely never happen.” Geri shared that she felt seen because she too owned this trait. Geri writes, “So instead of continuing the cycle I’ve decided to actively work on untangling this toxic trait.” WOW – she is brave and bold to share this vulnerability, and I admire her for it.

In the name of personal growth and with tremendous respect for Geri, I’m going to do the same. I’m skipping over what I would normally have written today to share this post. This is not easy. This is a vulnerability. But I suspect that almost every woman will relate in one way or another. 

I’m coming out. Not out of the closet, but out of the pantry.

Since the young age of 13, my head has been spinning with thoughts of food. At first it was sweet, salty, and crunchy food. What food would I eat next and when. Cravings drove everything. It was a painful existence, and I was filled with shame. My “toxic trait” reached its peak during my sophomore year in college. Hiding and eating cookies in my dorm room in secret left me feeling humiliated and embarrassed.  

I did not suffer from bulimia or anorexia. I don’t even think it was ‘disordered eating’ (DE) either.  Yet when I google DE, I do recognize myself somewhat. (DE includes restrictive eating, compulsive eating, or irregular or inflexible eating patterns. Dieting is one of the most common forms of disordered eating.) Hello!  I’ve been dieting for 40+ years!

I have spent the majority of my life operating from a place somewhere in the middle which, I suspect, is where so many women exist. Does this story feel familiar to you? Have you found yourself battling with a head full of constant thoughts of food?

I’m naming it here; “Food Tripping.”

In my 20s, the food spinning shifted from a focus on cravings and what to eat next to what I could consume to lose weight. Like millions of women, I tried every fashionable diet. Weight Watchers, counting calories, the apples, bananas and grapefruit diet, and too many more I can’t even remember. My emotions were on a roller coaster based on what the scale read, how my clothes fit, food restriction and deprivation. It all fed the demon I’m calling food tripping. 

And both then and now, I get a good dose of food tripping while I am traveling. My fear of gaining weight while traveling is real. Being out of the comfort zone of my home kitchen and not in control of what I can eat can set me into a bit of a tailspin. Most people don’t know I am spinning because I’m really good at covering it up. But it’s hard for me and I do my best to stay calm and go with the flow. 

Does this sound all too familiar?

When I went through my divorce at 50 I stopped eating entirely as a result of the emotional turmoil. I do not recommend the divorce diet to anyone! As my life calmed down post-divorce, the weight started to creep back on. Starving myself could only last so long! But this time, I had had enough. I was determined to keep the weight off. Obviously, this determination only led to more food tripping– UGH! There was no escape.  

The Food Tripping continues…

I became a Holistic Health Coach at 54 and for the first time in my life, I finally understood how to eat in a healthy, balanced manner. Reading FOOD, What the Heck Should I Eat, by Dr. Mark Hyman really changed how I viewed food. I learned how to shop, cook, and eat clean. The cravings for sweet and salty foods retreated to the background and I have been able to stay thin with no dieting.  

Yet even though I was eating more healthy and remained at a comfortable weight, the spinning continued.  Today, the flavor of food tripping is; how can I eat the absolute healthiest meal?  What will I eat that includes all the appropriate macronutrients? How can I avoid flour and added sugars? For several years I ate gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan before 6pm! I guess there is a bit of disordered eating in there after all! Still spinning. Still food tripping.  

I am now 62 and the battle with food tripping continues. Most days are better than others. My routine is my comfort zone. When I am busy, the spinning disappears.  When I am with friends, the spinning fades. Too much time on my hands brings the crazy to the forefront.  

Sorry to see you go but goodbye food tripping.

Today I am here to admit, somewhat nervously, that I have spent a lifetime holding onto a toxic trait, as Geri referred to Forward Tripping. I own it, I’m aware of it. Letting go seems close to impossible, except for the fact that with the writing of this blog, I am releasing my trait into the universe. It is cathartic.

I am saying goodbye to food tripping. It is time to move on, time to move past the nonsense. Perhaps, with this journaling, it will recede and lose its power over me. One can hope.  

Bottom line…

Based on my experience as a Holistic Health Coach talking to so many women over the years, I know that the majority of women struggle in one way or another with food tripping. I wish I had the cure. If you are dealing with it and want to talk about it, I am happy to be a good listener. With me, you have a no-judgment shoulder to lean on. Sometimes that is all we need - to talk it out and send the toxic trait out into the world so it loses its control over our minds. 

Goodbye Food Tripping.

You and only you know what is best for your body, mind and spirit.

WHAT’S INSPIRING MY PURSUIT OF GREAT HEALTH LATELY…

• I’m all about my gut health! One of the very best foods we can feed our gut to improve our overall health is fermented foods such as sauerkraut or kimchi.  My number one favorite fermented food is Coconut Cult yogurt.  It also comes in chocolate mousse and strawberry flavors. Two tablespoons per day and you are feeding your gut good food medicine.

• Looking for a good clean option for travel or just being on the go?  Elemental Superfood Seedbars are delicious, gluten and dairy-free. and contain no toxic ingredients.  They’re all clean, with six different flavors to choose from.   My favorite is dark chocolate + peanut butter. 

• I keep snacks in my car for days that get away from me when I don’t have time to stop for lunch.  My favorite is Wonderful Pistachios (no shells) that come in single serve packages.  They are 120 calories and have five grams of protein. 

• Looking for an easy-to-make high protein and delicious lunch?  Try Tonnino Yellowfin Tuna Fillets in Olive Oil.   I love that they come in a glass jar because I’m not a huge fan of tin cans.  Simply drain the olive oil (I keep a little in) and mash tuna in a bowl.  Mix in half of an avocado instead of mayo.  Add a squeeze of lemon and salt and pepper as desired.  Put the tuna on my favorite gluten-free Top Seedz cracker and enjoy a super healthy, clean lunch. One serving or half a jar is 16 grams of protein and only 120 calories.   

Thanks for reading Food, Love & Life!