D.I.E.T - Did I Eat That?
- stephabergs
- Jun 10
- 3 min read
We all know the saying “you are what you eat” but how often do we stop to truly consider what we’re eating, when and why?
A simple mindset shift that transforms the way you eat
If you’re on a health journey, you may be following a plan, reading nutrition labels or sticking to the 80/20 rule most of the time. But it’s those little unaccounted-for bites—the sneaky sweet, the second biscuit, the nibble off your child’s plate—that can slide under the radar. And when we don’t register those moments, they can quietly sabotage our intentions.
That’s why I love redefining the word DIET as: Did I Eat That?
Why awareness is the missing ingredient in healthy eating
When we hear the word “diet”, most of us think of restriction—rules, fads and guilt-laden food choices. But what if we redefined DIET as an empowering acronym: Did I Eat That?
This simple question reframes eating from deprivation to awareness. It’s not about counting calories obsessively, but about tuning in and being honest with ourselves. Did I eat that biscuit? That second glass of wine? That handful of lollies from the office jar? If so, was I hungry? Did I enjoy it? Did I choose it with intention?
A mindful prompt, not a rulebook
This isn’t about restriction, punishment or calorie obsession. It’s about honest awareness—a gentle nudge to take ownership of what goes into your mouth and how it affects your body.
It’s easy to overlook small snacks or “just a taste” moments. But the body doesn’t overlook them. Sugar spikes, blood glucose crashes, mood shifts and digestive changes still occur.
Asking “Did I eat that?” invites a quick internal check-in. And if the answer is yes, it becomes easier to:
Acknowledge the choice (without guilt)
Reflect on how it made you feel
Decide if it was worth it
Choose differently next time (if you want to)
The little things add up
Modern eating habits are peppered with unconscious bites—snacks at our desk, leftovers from the kids’ plates, a “treat” with our tea, grabbing something to eat on the run. These don’t always make it into our mental food diary, yet they count. Not just in kilojoules, but in how they affect our blood sugar, mood, energy and digestion.
Being aware of those small, often overlooked nibbles helps us see patterns:
Are we eating out of habit or hunger?
Are our “healthy” days undermined by accumulated sweets or refined carbs?
Are we emotionally eating, without realising it?
This isn’t about shame. It’s about not kidding ourselves. Because the body keeps the score, even if we don’t.
Food accountability without food anxiety
Pairing awareness with the 80/20 principle—where 80% of your choices nourish your health and 20% bring joy and flexibility—creates a sustainable, guilt-free way to live and eat. No one needs to be perfect. But being present and honest with ourselves is powerful.
You don’t need to log everything obsessively, try simply pausing and asking: “Did I eat that?” And if yes—Did it nourish me? Was it worth it? Would I choose it again tomorrow?
This micro-moment of mindfulness can transform how we relate to food. It cultivates conscious choice, not reactive eating. And when we consistently make choices aligned with our values and wellbeing goals, the results take care of themselves.
The power of a food and mood diary
One of the most helpful tools in building this awareness is a diet diary—not just to track food intake, but to connect it with:
Energy levels
Mood and emotional state
Sleep quality
Digestion (bloating, bowel movements, discomfort)
Cravings and hunger patterns
This simple practice helps you become your own nutrition detective. It highlights cause-and-effect patterns you may not have noticed, like that mid-afternoon slump after a sweet snack or the restless sleep after too much wine.
It’s not about being perfect. It’s about being present.
Pairing accountability with compassion
When you start noticing the patterns in your food choices and how they affect you physically and mentally, you empower yourself to make more nourishing decisions, without the need for rigid rules.
Food is personal. It's emotional. But it’s also chemical and it impacts every cell in your body.
So next time you reach for that treat, pause and ask yourself:
“Did I eat that?” And more importantly—did it serve me?
