The Spiritual Diet

Last week, I noticed that one of my clients was looking particularly slender. "For the first time, I gave up bread and all baked goods for Passover," she explained, "and now I'm down about three pounds! I never realized how much floury, sugary junk I'd been eating." And now that Passover has ended, I asked, what did she intend to do?

"I'm definitely going to limit my intake," she said. "Until I gave them up, I never would have thought I could go two weeks without breads, muffins, cookies and pizza. I used to think I'd never be able to turn down a cookie, but I learned that the less starchy stuff I eat, the less I crave it. I'm pretty sure that if I cut way down on the baked goods, I can get the other five pounds off almost effortlessly."

Interestingly, I've had Catholic clients who've given up "problem" foods for Lent and experienced similar results. They lose a few pounds, feel more aware of their eating habits and are in control of their food choices. When Easter comes and goes, they're still reaping the benefits of their sacrifice. They may have "given up" something for Lent, but they've received important gifts in return.

I've wondered why these faith or culturally motivated diet reforms work so well. From my observations, it seems as though "cheating" is far less common than on other diets and the positive changes seem to stick. One could argue, of course, that religion is the magic ingredient, but in some ways, I think that simply begs the question. Why does religious tradition succeed where diet plans fail?

On careful examination, religious tradition offers a model for behavior modification from which anyone can benefit. It's time-tested, effective and one needn't be a believer for it to work. Master these principles and you too can heighten your awareness, change your relationship with food and enrich your life.

Selflessness

People don't give up bread for Passover, chocolate for Lent or daytime meals for Ramadan simply because they want to lose weight. They make these sacrifices for spiritual or cultural reasons. The effect is a weightier sense of responsibility: If you cheat on a diet, you're only letting yourself down. But if you "cheat" on your culture or religion, you're doing something far more serious. Or are you?

The trick here is to remember that losing weight is not a frivolous or selfish goal. Wanting to be your best can be a spiritual undertaking and losing weight a true voyage of discovery. As you work to understand the root of your behaviors, your weaknesses and your strengths, you will find that food and exercise are not nearly as important to your efforts as heart and soul. Transgressions against your self, therefore, are no different than "sins" against a group. The same principles are at stake.

Never Say Never

Giving up a favorite food forever is almost impossible. Contemplating "never again" for even a few minutes is enough to shake even the most determined will. Giving up a favorite food for a finite period of time, however, is not too daunting. Passover lasts eight days, Lent lasts 40 days and Ramadan is observed for a month.

Group Support

If you change your diet in observance of a holiday, you're certain to have company. Supermarket aisles may be stocked with special products, family meals will be different and friends will be expected to understand when you pass up an old favorite ‑- even if they've cooked it especially for you.

Wouldn't it be nice if you had this kind of support no matter what the calendar said? Well, you do! Stock your home with foods that support your goals and eliminate those that don't. Alter family meals so that everyone's needs are accommodated. (For example, make low-fat chili and let family members help themselves to the cheese and sour cream toppings.) And don't be shy about asking friends for their support. If Friday night is usually dinner out, put in a request for a movie night instead.

Exploring the Power of Choice

When you choose not to eat whatever comes to hand, you can either resent the restriction or welcome the opportunity to explore new options. At the most basic level, this means getting creative about food choices. No bread? How about wrapping lettuce leaves around your favorite sandwich filling? Or how about building the most satisfying salad you've ever tasted?

Changing one's habits can expand your gastronomic horizons but it can also enhance your awareness of choices. Habit, social pressure, stress and emotions can all potentially influence what you eat. Ultimately, however, you are the one who wields the fork. Actively choosing foods that meet your spiritual and physical needs is a conscious act. It is also, therefore, a practice that raises eating to true nourishment for body and soul.