On Thursdays on my way to my weight loss meeting I usually stop at Whole Foods so that I can grab some of their house-brand “Five Seed Bread.” Its got a relatively low calorie count and the slices are huge! In fact, I’ve developed a kind of quirky habit – I usually take a single piece and slice it in two when I’m making a sandwich. (Yes, its that thick!).

Sadly, last night they were out, and I was forced to make another choice.

Its funny how easily I fall into particular habits of buying particular foods and eating them in particular ways. And when that routine is interrupted, boy howdy do I get all resentful and upset! I mean, how am I supposed to survive in this cold, cruel world if I don’t have my Five Seed bread??

Of course, when I’m a little more calm and rational, I realize that it’s probably all for the better when something like that happens. Because even though it’s important to develop a repertoire of healthy, good-tasting foods that help with weight management, it can be really useful to step out of that comfort zone from time to time.

Back when I was losing the 50 pounds and feeling successful, I remember wondering if I was going to have to hole myself up my own kitchen for the rest of my life if I planned to maintain my goal weight. The idea of parties and restaurants and vacations scared me. It just seemed so much easier to rely on the foods and eating strategies that I’d developed in order to lose weight and never veer away from them.

Then there’s reality.

I discovered, not surprisingly, that there would be occasions when I had to eat out at a friend’s house or a restaurant or an airport or whatever where I didn’t have control. There would be other occasions when meals I had planned didn’t materialize. And of course, there would be foods that worked wonderfully for months on end, until I got so sick of them that I’d find myself eating a few cookies and some ice cream in addition, so as to make up for the lack of pizzazz I was feeling at mealtime.

Still, its easier to recognize this habit on an intellectual level than it is to take action. So last night I simply told myself that I’d try a new kind of bread, and if the calories added up too quickly or the taste just wasn’t worth it that I would –gasp— throw the stuff out. (No, not wait around and find a homeless person, or bring it to the office, or give to a neighbor …just toss it out.)

Fortunately, the five grain substitute I brought home was pretty tasty. Who knows, I might even develop a thing for it.