EP 227: The Real Reason You Save Food & Calories for Later + 7 Steps to Break This ED Pattern Now🙌

On this MUST listen episode I share a listener question that will probably resonate with you: "I want to nourish my body more, but I save my calories until the end of the day. Why do I do this? Is this part of my eating disorder or just who I am?"

If you find yourself waiting to eat certain foods until later, saving up calories for dinner, or only allowing treats at specific times, this episode is for you. Lindsey breaks down the psychology behind this behavior and gives you 7 concrete steps to break free from the scarcity mindset that's keeping you stuck.

What You'll Learn

• The real reason you save calories (hint: it's not about hunger)
• Why this is classic eating disorder behavior rooted in scarcity mindset
• The difference between scarcity and abundance thinking with food
• 7 practical steps to start eating earlier and honoring your body
• How to challenge the rules you've created around "worthy" foods
• The "Best First Rule" - why you should tackle the hardest thing first

Key Concepts Explained Scarcity Mindset vs. Abundance Mindset

• Scarcity: Living from lack, believing you don't deserve abundance
• Abundance: Allowing food in and out like energy/currency
• The Truth: You were created to have all things abundantly

Why You Save Calories

• Classic eating disorder tactic based on scarcity
• Underlying belief that you don't deserve good things now
• Fear of overeating if you have something earlier
• Coping mechanism that turned sour

7 Steps to Stop Saving Calories 1. Honor Your Mornings

• Make a new rule: "Why wait for later what I can nourish now?"
• Question where your restrictions came from
• Pre-decide the night before to challenge morning rules

2. Eat Consciously Every 1-2 Hours

• Start with every 2 hours if needed
• Eat even when not hungry to create consistent patterns
• Break the "save up for later" cycle

3. Address Negative Emotions

• Ask "why" repeatedly to get to root fears
• Challenge illogical thoughts ("Will toast really make me gain weight?")
• Lean into uncomfortable feelings to change them

4. Honor Yourself - Act Now

• If you're dreaming of food freedom, act on it NOW
• Don't procrastinate on things you want
• Apply the "hardest thing first" principle

5. Remove All Rules Mentally

• Ask: "If all foods were zero calories and my rules didn't exist, what would I choose?"
• Give yourself permission to want things
• Make that choice without guilt

6. Switch Up Meal Times

• Try "breakfast for dinner" or eating 2 hours earlier
• Make it a game with small, achievable goals
• Focus on one goal at a time

7. Daily Reflection

• Journal each evening about restriction patterns
• Identify when unpleasant emotions came up
• Look for opportunities to do the opposite

Powerful Episode Quotes

"Stop fooling yourself into thinking that you aren't worthy. This is a classic eating disorder tactic based on a scarcity mindset."

"The way to experience life is living life in abundance. We were made to have all things abundantly."

"No amount of food can fill an emotional void. And no amount of food restriction can fill it either."

"You are deserving of the now. You are deserving of a now life."

"Put the salad later in the day. Start with the hard thing first."

The Best First Rule

Core Concept: Put the thing that will help you become your best self FIRST in your day. Don't save the challenging foods for later - tackle them first thing in the morning.

Mindset Shifts

Old Thinking: "I need to save calories for later when I really want them" New Thinking: "I deserve abundance now, not later"

Old Thinking: "I'll overeat if I have this earlier"
New Thinking: "Food is energy that flows in and out naturally"

Old Thinking: "I'm not allowed to have carbs in the morning" New Thinking: "Who made this rule? I'm making a new one."

Resources Mentioned

• Private Facebook Community: www.herbestselfesociety.com 
• Submit Questions: info@lindseynichol.com for Coaching Over Coffee episodes
• One-on-One Coaching: www.herbestself.co  (currently accepting waitlist applications)

Share the Revolution

If this episode revolutionized your perspective on belonging and worthiness, please:

✨ Leave a 5-star review - Your words help this message reach more women who need to hear it
✨ Share with a friend - Tag someone who needs permission to stop earning their worth

xo,

lindsey

Coach with Me -＞Client Application

* While I am a certified health coach, anorexia survivor & eating disorder recovery coach, I do not intend the use of this message to serve as medical advice. Please refer to the disclaimer here in the show & be sure to contact a licensed clinical provider if you are struggling with an eating disorder.