Is your diet a black hole of non-nutrition? Do you feel guilty about the types and amount of food you're eating? Does the food you eat affect your writing?
First of all, you must be eating something nutritious every day. Even a piece of lettuce on the burger counts; don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Second of all, I do believe the food we eat affects our writing. Here's why. When I eat something I perceive as bad, I start to feel bad. When I feel bad, I'm not positive. Self-destructive habits creep in. If I don't feel good about myself, I'm not going to have a marathon writing session.
I'm a huge believer in moderation. There are no off-limit foods for me; however, I make an effort to eat fruits and vegetables every day because I know they give me nutrients necessary for optimal brain power.
Much of sitting and writing is related to our mood. If we sabotage it by eating something we perceive as unhealthy, we're going to feel unhealthy. Unless I'm having a really bad day, I do not eat junk food while writing, because it definitely affects me. That's the healthy habit I embrace.
What healthy eating habit do you have? Does it help your writing, hurt it, or not alter it? I'd love to hear from you.
Join me on Friday when we'll discuss staying hydrated.
I could eat a lot healthier! I do enjoy fresh fruits. This year, as a family we are cutting back on pork. Gotta love bacon people!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reminder that we must maintain our bodies to produce energy and proper stamina.
Interesting thought! It hadn't occured to me that the way I eat affects my writing, but it does make sense with the way you've connected the dots. Sadly, I have a love affair with Flaming Hot Cheetos when I sit down to write :(
ReplyDeleteGood morning!
ReplyDeleteTamika: I love bacon. Love it. Way too much!
Georgiana: I have a love affair with Doritos--I feel your pain!
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Definitely when I'm eating poorly my whole mood suffers for it and that's got to affect my writing if only in writing in a somber way. I loved your lettuce leaf on a burger. Now that's seeing the positive, Jill!
ReplyDeleteI'm really trying to get my water intake up again and keep to the non-processed foods--so much healthier for you.
Everything looks so yummy here! I do watch everything I put into my mouth. I'm also a firm believer in exercise as well. It does make a difference in my mental state of mid.
ReplyDeleteIt's funny you mentioned staying hydrated at the end. I never snack while I write, but I do drink water. It's amazing what a difference it makes in my wellbeing to have several small glasses a day! You wouldn't think of water as energizing, but it most definitely is, affecting so much of our body's system.
ReplyDeleteI definitely enjoy fruits and know I should eat those more. I have little snacks I try to eat instead of unhealthy things if I feel in a snacky or slightly hungry mood. Carrots, raisins, things like that. And I DEFINITELY need to drink more water.
ReplyDeleteHey, Jill--I have an award for you today at my blog!
I don't eat while I write...too distracting. Once I tried cracking away at pistachios while I wrote...fo get a bout it.
ReplyDeleteTea. That's about it. Lately I've been chomping on gum too.
~ Wendy
I drink lots of water while I'm writing. Staying hydrated is important.
ReplyDeleteGreat habit. It does affect our moods andmy emotional eating too. Raw almonds is a good snack to have near the computer. Texture, crunch and protein. :O)
ReplyDeleteI totally agree. Eating unhealthy brings on a very unhealthy attitude!
ReplyDeleteI don't eat and write. When I did (in the past), I got "food amnesia"--couldn't remember eating and consumed way too much. Unfortunately, my body didn't get "calorie amnesia" so I got all the bad effects and none of the good. Now, I reward myself before or after I write...but not during. Patrice
ReplyDeleteMy go-to snack of choice these days is Goldfish Crackers. They're small, contain a lot of air, and they make me smile.
ReplyDeleteWhen I write, I love to go to Caribou Coffee and have an Earl Grey Tea and a reduced fat Cranberry Orange Scone.
Bliss!
Eileen: I can find the positive in ANY food (ice cream=calcium, ha! ha!)!
ReplyDeleteT.Anne: The pictures are kind of making me hungry now that you mention it!
Joanne: I agree. There's nothing like ice-cold water to energize you!
Cindy: You're right. I like to have nuts, dried cherries, and apples in the house. They're easy to snack on and they fill me up!
Wendy: I hear you! Gum is always a good substitute. Plus, it helps me get some of my nervous energy out!
Paul: Oh yeah! Me too!
Diane: I love almonds. They're cancer fighters, too!
Heather: I know it does for me!
Patrice: Uggh, I know! My body does not thank me for mindlessly snacking while writing. I don't do it either!
Erica: I love the baby Goldfish. They're so tiny and cute!
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Best friend health nut, organic farmer, and fitness buff has whipped me into shape. We're talking golden flax seed, sprouted cereal, organic fruits, veggies, even organic meat and eggs.
ReplyDeleteStamina and brain power do see to have improved since I've tweaked my diet. Oh, did I mention fish oil and nuts????
Yeah, it really does taste good to me.
Great ideas, Jill!!!!!!
Patti
www.pattilacy.com/blog
I agree, moderation is the way to go. Putting it into practice (as opposed to overeating those allowed things) is another matter. But it is doable. I make sure to eat plenty of fruits and veggies too. Thankful that I like them:)
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Karen
I'm a healthy eater for the most part, but I have times when I can't control myself. I have noticed it puts me in a bad mood, though. I guess it would effect my writing. I hadn't thought of that before.
ReplyDeleteUh, Jill? If I eat a healthy salad for lunch, does that mean I can have some chocolate? Huh? *grin*
ReplyDeleteI'm tryin', I'm tryin'.
My healthy eating habit is, uh, hmmm, okay I got one. I have type one diabetes and I have been trying to cut back on my yummy, sugary eating habit. Only two Hershey bars a day.
Just kidding. I exercise. Does that count? I go for an hour on the elliptical every day, lift weights 3 times a week, and in the summer I swim laps for an hour too. I love exercise. Because I love chocolate! :-)
Great post. I heard that agents are bombarded with queries now so I have put off my query date to February 1st. Thought I'd let you know. But my synopsis sparkles. :-)
Brilliant, you're so right!
ReplyDeleteI certainly eat things that would be best left alone, but I'm like you and won't deny myself. And I also try to eat the healthy stuff.
But I also think a favorite snack - healthy or not - can put a waggle in my tail and lift my spirits, which can affect my mood in great ways.
Patti: Sounds delicious! Lucky you!
ReplyDeleteKaren: Overboard? What's that? (wink, wink!) Yes, I know all about overboarding on snacks!
Susan: Bad moods of any kind affects writing. Sometimes in a good way!
Robyn: Yes, salad at lunch means chocolate for snack, duh!! Ha! Your exercise routine puts me to shame. You're rocking! (Good idea on the query--congrats on your synopsis!! Woo-hoo!!)
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Janna: Oh, you're so right! Timing the perfect snack can make our moods soar!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for stopping by!
That's so true!
ReplyDeleteI started eating carrots and garlic roasted humus last week. Right now I really like it!
I eat salad every day, but I also eat cookies every day. Hmm, does one cancel out the other? I hope not.
ReplyDeleteOne thing I'm missing: I don't drink enough water.
Blessings,
Susan :)
I'm eating a lot more raw veggies and organic, too. I eliminated anything with MSG because I notice I don't feel right when I eat that junk and it makes me sluggish and bleh. Also all sodas went out the window along with any artificial sweetners. I try to avoid pork products, too, because I read it takes a long time for your gut to digest it.
ReplyDeleteI'm a killjoy, huh? LOL
Kristen T: Humus sounds really good right now!
ReplyDeleteSusan J: Life must be savored, and cookies are part of it!
Jennifer: Look at you! That's great! It always feels good to treat our bodies right.
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Ugh, see, I need to do better at THIS too especially with baby on the way. I'm thinking back to what I ate today and wincing. Horrible, horrible.
ReplyDeleteNow Friday's hydration discussion, THERE I am excelling! I think I drank 6 bottles of water today.. and went to the bathroom about double that many times because of it!
Krista: Good for you on the water intake! (Sorry about the potty breaks. Goes with the territory!) And a big, BIG congratulations on having another baby!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for stopping by!
We incorporate juicing into our dietary plan. I've found that I don't eat as many veggies as I should and as long as I combine them with a fruit-based juice they can be delicious!! And nutritious at the same time! Talk about an energy boost! You're post is right on, Jill!! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI'm trying so hard to eat healthy, because I really do function much better when I do. Right now I am on a hummus kick and I get that Greek yogurt and put in an envelope of onion soup mix and dip veggies or baked lays.
ReplyDeleteThe only healthy eating habit I have is drinking water. I eat horribly!!
ReplyDeleteI wish I ate/snacked better. My healthiest snack is almonds and/or apples with pb.
ReplyDelete