July 11, 2025

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

15 minutes

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: [email protected] 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.

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By Lindsey Nichol - Certified Health Coach, Eating Disorder Recovery Coach, Food Freedom Coach, Eating Disorder Intuitive Therapy Certified

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