To Bagel or Not to Bagel?

• By Beth Meirav
• My Blog

I just got off a zoom networking call where, believe or not, we discussed bagels. Of course they were originally in the context of getting together socially and when can we do that over a bagel. Of course, I turned it around to be a diet/lifestyle choice.

The question of the bagel is really a question of indulging. I am a firm believer in the conscious indulgence. If my body needs that bagel (substitute chocolate, ice cream, fill in the blank...) then I do believe in making the choice to consciously indulge without any guilt whatsoever. I know if I didn't (when NEEDED) give in to that feeling I would most likely eat 5 other things to satisfy me.

So at the moment I indulge in that bagel twice a year (Yom Kippur of course and my annual NYC trip - that's an obvious must have). That being said, I feel no guilt when my body "requires" the ice cream or chocolate. If you are trying to change your behavior through willpower let me be the first to tell you, that just won't work in the long run.

It's what you do most of the time that matters. Let me repeat that... it's what you do most of the time that matters!

All of that being said, small choices do make a difference. The more consistent you are in those small choices, the more you will see results. It's definitely not about being "perfect". You can make great choices without feeling deprived. That's what healthy living is all about. Celebrate your progress as you go, and if today is the day that your body needs that bagel then feel no guilt, just celebrate your "imperfections" too.