I have two secrets that I am willing to share with you all at no extra cost. Ready? Just because a chip is made with flax seeds and coconut oil doesn’t mean you can eat five servings, and just because you’ve run “all the miles” doesn’t mean you need to eat all the cookies. You’re welcome for those tips.
In an attempt to earn back the respect of my uncomfortably snug fitting pants I’ve swapped the processed sugars for fruit, started moderating my intake, and am focusing on smaller daily workouts. I was sick for a week and it totally threw me off my game.
Rude.
Blueberries are rocking my world right now. One of my all time favorite snacks will forever be rice cakes with nut butter and fruit. Throw some hemp hearts on there for good measure and we can call it a day.
I’m also loving the Whole Foods hot/cold bar, and homemade roasted potatoes.
Adding fresh rosemary from my yard took this above and beyond.
The moment I knew I was serious about my sugar break, (because I am notorious for claiming to “cut out foods I don’t need” for a bit and then quickly turning around to eat a sleeve of cookies), was when I did a coffee tasting…with no pairing.
This was one of the reserve blends served at the Starbucks Roastery that I HAD to try. Exclusive to the roastery, meaning you cannot find this coffee anywhere else. I had every intention of pairing this with some sort of sugary treat, but alas I did not.
This coffee was good, but I probably wouldn’t order it again. The tiered notes were more apparent as the coffee sat. The first few sips were smooth and chocolaty, and 5 minutes later the lemon notes started to sing. I don’t like singing lemons.
I do however like singing desserts made from fruit. Fruit sugars are wonderfully satisfying when they’re your only sugar intake. Dates, coconuts, and raw cacao.
Eat good, feel good.
Q: What food(s) do you tend to mindlessly eat? Sugar, all the sugar.
Blissfulbritt 
89 thoughts on “Sharing Secrets”
captainmo08
I will mindlessly eat potato chips or crackers until the whole bag or sleeve is gone. Here in Belgium they have this brand of cracker, Tuc. It’s totally normal, but the Sel & Poivre (Salt and Pepper) are to DIE FOR! And they have pickle flavored potato chips… I just can’t buy them… I refused. I will eat them all in one sitting if I do.
B
My problem is more with soda than say, candy with sugar. I really need to step up my water game! And those blueberries look yummy!
Jessica
Anything crunchy and carby. Especially when I am stressed. Thanks for the health reminder, lady!
Shawna
“eat good, feel good.” words to live by. hmmm my mindlessly eating food is chips & salsa or guac. i’m not a big sucker for sweets, but i can eat those all day every day.
Kayse
I’m a chips gal. Especially now that I’m working a desk job. Munching carrots alllll day isn’t the same as chips. Those potatoes and brussels look amazing!! You have rosemary growing already? That last bowlful dates, coconut, raw cacao, peanuts?! What’s all in there? It looks amazing!!!!
Brittany
I have a rosemary bush in my front yard that actually thrives nearly year round!! It’s fantastic! That last photo is recycled from a recipe I made a few months back!
Kayse
That’s amazing! Year round fresh herbs! I suppose I could just grow mine inside hahaha. Yep, I remember that recipe now… I had even commented on it ha! I neeeeeed to make it.
pausesandclicks
Here’s my guilty secret….Peanut Butter Cheerios! I’ve been know to eat more than half a box, quite mindlessly, while I watch TV late at night. Of course, the sure for that would be measuring and bringing it out of the kitchen, rather than just grabbing the whole box!
Jessica
Noo. I don’t like your secrets. Haha. I want to eat all the chips.! Especially lays original with lime. That gets me every time. But I gotta say, those blueberries look amazing.! I would munch on those.
svrtnsse
I’m going on and off cookies and pastries of various kinds at regular intervals – because I do quite enjoy them.
What I’ve found though, is that after I’ve held off on sweets for a bit, fruits start tasting a lot better. Then once I fall back on cookies etc again it often makes me feel a bit uncomfortable.
di @ life of di.
Well besides the obvious food I tend to overeat… 😉
I have recently started overeating Snack Factory Pretzel Chips. I have been known to eat a bag in one day. Eek. I’m not sure why some foods tempt me more than others? I think the biggest problem is taking the bag with me to the table when watching something on my laptop. I’m trying to only snack twice a day (afternoon + evening) to cut back on overeating. It’s been almost two weeks since I’ve purchased peanut butter. I’m going to give it a couple more weeks to see if I’ve broken the addiction 😀
Meghan@CleanEatsFastFeets
That looks like some kind of caramel goodness concoction in the last shot, and I would like some please. Also, I will take all the blueberries and raise you a raspberry.
My secret with no added cost: don’t keep the foods you mindlessly eat or are trying to avoid in the house. I really don’t buy a lot of “junk” food (cookies, candies, potato chips, etc) at the grocery store and then when the opportunity presents itself to have it while I’m out or for a work lunch one day, it’s no big deal and almost like a special treat. If I take away the temptation, it makes it easier, and I still get it somehow, just no where near as often if I stocked it regularly. It works for me.
Happy Today.
Brittany
YES, I couldn’t agree more! Sometimes living with others backfires in this sense, but eating a plant based diet keeps me out of trouble at times with certain foods in my house. My willpower is tested often.
Amy @ A Desert Girl
I’m more of a salt snack girl. I’ll finish off a bag of chips without even realizing that I’ve done so. Good reminder to keep it in check, lady!
Jennie
The hot/cold bar at WF is always my downfall! I’m certain that they don’t put scales by them so you’re not aware of how much you’re going to pay. I’m always around $10 each trip.
Aja
Blueberries are the best. I need to cut out more processed sugars, too.
50statecanuck
“I don’t like singing lemons”.
Ba-hahahaha. Oh, you make me laugh!
jenniferflorence07
Fabulous fruit snack ideas!
Lucie Elizabeth (@CollectingLight)
(always jel of your coffee pics!)
But, really….I never work out, and I really, really should! Latest craving though? Peanut butter BY THE SPOONFUL. Im with you on the tight pants, so worth it though, right? 😉
eatexerciseeat
Definitely crisps/crunchy snacks! i just can’t stop myself! Ive started buying bags and then putting a few in a bowl to try and stop myself eating so many!
Jess @hellotofit
Mmm that rice cake looks like it hit the spot! I can mindlessly eat ice cream. And I’m currently sitting in front of a bowl of healthy black bean soup but have opted for the oatmeal cookie that’s right next to the soup. Sigh.
charissarunning
Your pictures of food make my mouth water…yummy! I try to eat in moderation, but once you give me French fries, it’s a problem… I can just keep eating those all day.
Pamplemousse
” I don’t like singing lemons” haha!! I tend to mindlessly eat raw treats. And although they are refined sugar free and made with wholesome ingredients, they can still be heavy on the digestive system. Thanks for your secrets, they made me smile 😊
Lindsay @ A Runnaroundd Life
Trail mix is my weakness. I buy it in the big bags and that’s when all hell breaks loose. We’re on a bit of a break right now….
Ashley @ A Lady Goes West
Nuts. Trail mix. I can’t get enough. And I must say, smaller daily workouts rather than a couple super-long ones is always a good change. Good luck! 🙂
Emma @em-poweredwellness
Sugar is my kryptonite. I can eat vegan, give up gluten, whatever. But any time I try to limit my intake of added sugars I end up reaching for the nearest chocolate bar
Jayda
HA, the singing lemons!! I bet I would like that one…chocolate and lemons are both favourites. And I give up gluten here and there, but I could never be without my beloved sugar. I eat all the cookies without running all the miles 😉
Katie T
Ah yes, the chia/flax/healthy chips that seem to slide down with such ease. These are my weakness too, especially when guacamole makes an appearance. All of a sudden, when you learn that 9 chips is one serving, it becomes a make it or break it moment. Personalky, my sweet tooth has quieted down over the years. But, my salty carb tooth (teeth?!) have grown more pronounced. I appreciate you noting that even miles of running can’t balance it all out. So many people comnent that runners can eat anything they want. Sure, they can, but it likely won’t help their running!
Addison Taylor
That brussels sprout/potato mix looks heavenly!
Kristel
Brittany! You are awesome. I seriously love your blog posts! I am trying to cut down on processed foods and sugars too! If you have any more “sweet” treats you can share that you love that would be great! Also, any tips on dealing with a crazy amount of desserts at events?
Brittany
You are too kind, and your comment has made my day! I find that eating a plant based diet takes all (well, most) my temptations away when I’m at an event and I know there are eggs or milk in the treats. When the treats are vegan though, it’s definitely harder!!
I find it best to get multiple options and then SPLIT them with other people. That way you get to try them all, but in much smaller portions and they end up being equal to one or two max. Depriving is not a good idea for me, because then I’ll go overboard!
dorkyxana
I totally agreed that too much of anything, even if it’s good for you, is bad. Moderation is key! But I can fully relate to the mindless eating habits that kicks that rule out the door. I find myself mindlessly eating through anything crunchy and savory like chips and crackers (goldfish and cheezits!) they must’ve put something in there to make it so addicting 😛
annieemmy
All of this? Sounds amazing. And that coffee? I’m pretty sure we’d be best friends.
lizlicorish
All of your food photography is so beautiful! Rice cakes are called “crack cakes” in my house because I’m addicted to them. You can put anything on them! Peanut butter, Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, jam, butter… the possibilities are endless. I also think that coffee sounds amazing! (minus the singing lemons)
Amy
I’m really proud of you for cutting out sugar, regardless of how long it lasts! It’s hard to make a decision and stick to it, so the fact that you’re able to do so for more than 5 minutes (about how long I last) is inspiring. I SO wish I could do something similar, but… Taste testing is part of the job description. Sigh. Someday! 😉
earthlyradiance
I mindlessly eat chips too, the healthier seaweed and flax chips but still, they must be fried to crunch like that. Your photos are so gorgeous! I love the vibrancy of the colors. XO
amysrecipefordisaster
I’m all over the blueberries right now, too! And I can eat peanuts and tortilla chips until the end of days…
Laur
Sugary cereals and dried papaya spears (no sulfur). I die,
Amanda Afield
Sugar and cereal are my weaknesses. That’s awesome that you’re trying to cut out sugar, not sure I have that kind of willpower.
themauritiangeographer
I’m a chocolate addict but I swear, I’ve really cut out a lot of processed sugar since turning vegan. Also helps that I don’t live in a vegan friendly country. I get lovely chocolate but also locally sourced dried fruits. Figs and dates, my absolute favourite. I also tend to keep frozen bananas for quick chocolate ice cream in the freezer.
jennifer prod
your pictures look like food art to be framed for the kitchen — gorgeous colors and they all make me wanna find a big bowl of healthy delicious and go to town.
CreateLearnGrow-Jodi Tanner
Love your photo of red berries and blueberries! Thanks for the acknowledgment that you too are needing to get back to healthier eating! It’s that time of year:)
kimhoeltje
I do love sugar….I mean really, who doesn’t!? But I am even more of a salt addict!!!
Single-Tracked Mind
Your photos of healthy foods make them look so good!
Lety C
Good for you on swapping processed sugars for fruit! I try to do it all the time, but guilty to enjoy some ice cream or cookies. Always fightng to find balance! 🙂
Melissa (I Crashed the Web)
Oh my goodness – all of that looks so delicious! What nut butter is that on those rice cakes? It looks glorious.
And I just got into hemp hearts- what else do you eat with them?
Brittany
I’ve only used my hemp hearts ON things such as smoothie bowls, pudding bowls, oatmeal bowls, these rice cakes etc. I’ve seen a couple recipes where they are rolled into things like energy bites though that I want to try!
Ellie
Hmm, I mindlessly eat chips. Salt and vinegar PLEASE GET IN MY BELLY! 🙂
P
Sooooooo much food goodness going on here. I’m over here drooling…
Christina Does It All
“I don’t like singing lemons.” << I definitely laughed out loud because you are hilariously awesome, my friend.
peanutbutterandellie
Your photos are drool-worthy! Good for you for cutting out refined sugar — that takes a lot of will power (that I’m not willing to use)! 🙂
mcaseyjorgenson
Rosemary is my favorite! Go check out my Rosemary sea salt bread recipe!
Jane
You do take the most amazing food pictures! Love, love, love the way you showcase the gorgeous colours and textures of foods. I can almost taste and smell them. 🙂
Brittany
Thank you so much! ❤
willrunforpizza
UGH! Chips! Why WHY did you have to share that “secret”!?!? I have a secret too: I worked out last night pretty hard, was starving, and ate 5 servings of chips made with coconut, rice flour, all the other healthy stuff…b/c, well, they are “healthy”…haha. Oh chips. They are the death of my 15 vanity pounds…I have to hide them from myself…although I haven’t really actually had that work for me b/c chips are worth the effort of getting the ladder out.
Amanda @ .running with spoons.
Fruit sugars are magical. I eat so many bananas and dates that I don’t even really find myself craving processed sugar anymore. Wait, no, that’s not entirely true. Gummy candy is my weakness. And Annie’s bunnies. I can’t even keep those in the house because I go through them like WHOA. Oh, and granola… granola is my kryptonite.
An Unrefined Vegan
Sweets = my nemesis! (what’s the plural of nemesis??)
Charlotte
All the sugar!! I am right there with you in the “uncomfortably snug” pants camp. THIS is what happens when you live in leggings all winter. Ok lie, this is what happens when you eat all chocolate/processed carbs/sour patch kids and everything else all the time AND wear leggings all winter. Le sigh.
Britta
Oh gosh Britt, ALL THE SUGAR IS RIGHT! My pants are fitting far too tight at the moment, my skin absolutely hates me, and I need to cut out sugar too. I say it all the time but its true! Good for you for not pairing your coffee with something – that would be tough!
Funny you mention it, I am starting a one week sugar break today. Just to get back in control.. I’m not going nuts but I’m just saying no to all the cookies all the time. Ain’t nobody got time for that… nor pants that fit 🙂
Ashley @MilesonOats
I mindlessly devour a lotttttttttt of roasted veggies. They are limitless for me. Which is why I randomly IG stalk you in bulk and like all of your pictures with veggies. Especially when I am hungry. Kinda counter-productive, no? Either way, all of your food looks glorious. Miss our chats and hope you are doing great lovely!
Lance Greenfield
When my daughter recently visited us from New Zealand (we don’t see her enough since she emigrated – boo hoo!), she had roast veggies with almost every cooked meal. Now we do too.
So delicious, and so easy to do, and the variety is almost limitless. Super! 🙂
The Zen Kat
All the sugar!! Girl, I totally feel you on that one. Also, I’m always surprised to hear newly-hooked on healthy friends of mine talk about eating tons of avocados and PB. It’s like hello? It don’t work like that! Live and learn I guess! I’m definitely guilty of indulging way too much on those things, but at least we know it’s not the way to go. One step in the right direction at least!
Melanie
Oh, I LOVE both of your secrets and have been guilty of both of them….many times!! I’m a sugar addict as well, but I know what you mean about how YUMMY fruit tastes when it’s the only sugar I’m consuming. It’s amazing.
All of your food pics look amazing and I need to try one of your rice cake concoctions. They look fabulous!
Nicole @ Foodie Loves Fitness
Ah yes, I share your love for sweets and have to keep it in check or else I eat dessert every night! Oooh and fresh bread, I could eat a lot of that mindlessly munching – particularly if wine is involved 🙂 I adore blueberries but have never tried em with nut butter on a rice cake… Thanks for the idea! I will have to try it.
myupbeetlife
Hummus…which sounds silly to people but you can definitely overeat it, and it takes a toll!
Change of Pace
Your food photos are so pretty, especially those roasted potatoes!
Mmm- I love blueberries, but the ones we get right now are completely tasteless. Can’t wait for fresh fruit season again!
I’m with you on the sugar!
jessicajoydurfee
Well Hello! Your blog was recommended to me by Gigi Eats Celebs and I am so happy it was! Love your sass and flair. YAY. And it’s so nice to hear that someone else talks about cutting certain foods, only to not exactly stick with it. Oh sugar, that tricky little substance. I love a good dessert once a week, but sometimes it can spike cravings. Hum diddle diddle, what to do. ‘Course, that ooey gooey peanut bowl looks AMAZING. It’s a pleasure to meet you Britt!
Brittany
Hey there! Oh Gigi, I adore that girl. She is my soul mate I swear. Thanks for stopping by, happy to meet you too!
Luv What You Do
Your insta food porn has been entertaining me all week.
Yum!
Those sprouts and tatos…hmm!
Jackie @ Wife Life Kitchen
Those are just about the most delicious rice cakes I’ve ever seen! Lol
Domi
Chocolate chips, man. They’re like quicksand. You think “oh sure, I’ll just throw a tbs onto my oatmeal, no big!” Then you add a few more when you’re halfway through the bowl. Then you grab a few as you put away your dishes. Then you realize you’ve eaten a full handful of chocolate chips and it’s NOT EVEN 08:00. (And then sometimes you contemplate going back for “just a few” more.)
Also, after seeing your purrrty pictures, I’m craving dates like mad. And there are none in my house. So, you know, thanks a lot. 😛
Brittany
SO TRUE! That’s the perfect way to describe them, like quicksand. HAHA. That “just one more handful” gets me EVERY.SINGLE.TIME.
annaethain
RIght now? Put a packet of salt & vinegar chips in front of me and they will gone in seconds. Seriously, without me even realising l have eaten them….
The Vegan 8
Those potatoes look so good! I love adding rosemary to mine too. I’m a huge rosemary fan! I mindlessly can eat cookies if they are in front of me, so I try not to let them be in front of me too often, LOL!
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy
ha! thanks for sharing those tips! It’s amazing how many people think that just because they do a short run every morning, they can eat what ever they want. If only!
Karla @ Finding My Fit
this is one of my problems, i work out twice a day.. but eat like it too
Brittany
Right!? I’m like ohhh I ran/worked 8hrs on my feet/and did a workout DVD today..sure give me two cupcakes. Then my clothes get tight, my ass gets saggy and I’m wondering what happened. OH that’s right..cupcakes happened. HAHA.
Femme Fitale Fit Club
All of that food looks really good and vivid. I love eating fruit just about every day. I find it totally filling. As long as I keep ice cream out the house I’m good.
Rach @ This Italian Family
Oh girl, all your fresh eats look SO good! I’m pretty careful about my sugar intake because of my heart, but when it comes to carbs… oh my gracious… I eat all the carbs, haha! 😉
avenuecamilla
Everything here looks so delicious and healthy!! I don’t have too much of a sweet tooth but being Italian my diet has always consisted of A LOT of carbs, I’m waiting for the day when my body is like nope. you can’t do this anymore. hahah
xxx
Camilla
http://avenuecamilla.com
katalysthealth
Sometimes I think food bloggers would smother me if they knew that I lived RIGHT across the street from a Whole Foods and literally have never had their hot/cold bar. I just don’t even dare temp myself with it.I can barely get freaking froyo without paying over $5 for it, lord knows what I would do with one of those boxes!
Brittany
NEVER?! Like…EVER?!?! Homgaaahh. I support your reasons because I always pay at least $12, but it’s so worth it.
Lucie Elizabeth (@CollectingLight)
Ohhhhh the colours in the foods in this post! So Delicious! I think the only Whole Foods in England is in London and I have never been! I know, I know! Ita on my list of things to do this summer, though! And Im with you on the sugar, its actually scary how much of that stuff I eat!
Lance Greenfield
Your two shared secrets reminded me of a lady I once worked with. She told us all that she was on a diet. One lunch break, she returned to the office with four on-pound bags of jelly-babies (for those who don’t know them, the are sugar-jell-o candies in the shape of people). She consumed them all in one afternoon.
I asked her how that fitted her diet. She replied, “I am on a fat-free diet Lance. These are zero fat.” I tried to tell her that they were 100% sugar which her body would convert to fat, but she maintained that I was talking about ” a different diet entirely!”
Brittany
AHH!! HA, what a funny story! Too many people are unaware that sugar turns into fat!
Food, Booze, & Baggage
If popcorn is made I have to have some, regardless of if I’m hungry or not. I’m digging the rice cakes with nut butter and berries lately too…so good! I find if I in general don’t have it on hand then I can do without for sweets but then again I have those days where I eat and eat because I just want a piece of chocolate but don’t have any 🙂
Heather @ HeatherRunsFast.com
Sugar all the sugar is right. Once I start I just can’t stop. You would have loved all the free dates (both fresh and dried) at Todds hotel in Israel. They had them in a dish for anyone to take. Needless to say, he took A LOT. That’s my boy! I need to buy some rice cakes.
melliedee
I want to grab all those foods out of your pictures. your pictures are looking so nice! I rarely eat sugars like cookies and such but once in a while a dark chocolate piece does the trick. 😉
allieksmith
Thanks for the secrets ;). Mindless eating… I have problems with peanut butter and granola. I just go and go and go until my stomach hurts, haha!