Diary of a Diet Change, Week One: Overcoming Cravings

by Claire Price

New Zealand-born, Paris-based artist and photographer Claire Price takes us along on her meatless new-year experiment. (Read the first installment here.)

As soon as the stores open on January 2nd, I do a mega vegetable shop and stock up on healthy yummy vegetarian elements I plan to cook. I’m still on maternity leave so that makes it easy to cook at home. I’m neither tempted to drink nor tempted to eat meat once in the first week. 

Until the Day 7, that is.

I'm watching a cooking show and I see some spicy chicken drumsticks and a glass of red wine,  and suddenly, I’m tempted to consume both things. I’m having a down day—maybe that accounts for this moment of weakness. I don’t even like chicken drumsticks, even when I ate meat. It doesn't make sense. I’m hungry and can’t be bothered cooking, but the feelings pass, and 10 minutes later I’m over the idea.

With all the money I’m saving from not drinking, I feel excited about going to the bio store (organic health-food market) to grab a few expensive-but-luxurious organic items: Granola--which costs a fortune in France--some nice olives, sesame oil, more miso, tofu, grains, and, of course, lovely fresh produce. 

End of week one, I haven’t noticed much of a change in weight on the scales, but my waistline seems to have shrunk--at least my pants tell me so. I think my skin looks more youthful, but I suspect that’s the lack of alcohol. 

I must continue with my Tracy Anderson post-pregnancy workout and continue on the same path and not get discouraged. I will be a vision of clarity and health in 2015. Oh yes, I will!

Getting back to her pre-baby weight is one of the motivating forces keeping Claire on her meatless new year pledge.

The Craving Curse
What to do when cravings strike

Claire--like many of us who are adapting to new habits--has struggled with cravings. These tips will help you hold your resolve when you hit a bump in the road:

Steer Clear of Temptation
Don't want to drink? Don't go to a bar. Don't want to eat meat? Don't head for the nearest fast food joint or steak house at lunch. Yes, it's that easy!  Until your new pattern of eating has solidified, pack a lunch to eat at work, or use Happycow.net to find the nearest vegetarian restaurant.

Seek Help! 
Engage your family, partner, and friends in your quest for dietary success, and encourage them support you by joining you in meatless meals, too. 

Be Prepared ... to Experiment
Stock your fridge with healthy foods you enjoy, and also with new foods--including convenience-oriented transition foods like fake meat (Beyond Meat and Gardein are amazing doppelgangers) that tastes like your old meaty favorites--so you don't feel deprived.