Episode 248: Can you balance out a "bad" lunch with a "good" dinner?

If I overeat chips at lunch, is it okay to skip the carb at dinner to “make up for it”?That’s the question one woman asked me at a recent workshop — and it’s one of my all-time favorite topics to talk about because we’ve all been there.I used to live in that “checks and balances” mindset with food. The constant math in my head, the promises to “be good later,” the bargaining with myself to undo whatever I just ate. It felt logical, but it ultimately made eating way more stressful — and it kept me stuck in a cycle of guilt, restriction, and rebound eating.In this episode, I’m sharing:Why “making up for it later” always backfiresThe sneaky difference between skipping something out of self-care vs. punishmentHow to handle overeating without spiraling into “fuck it” modeMy favorite analogy that will give you a light bulb momentIf you ever find yourself trying to “even things out” with food, this one’s for you.Grab my free Food Behavior Blueprint mini course that I mention in the episode — it’ll help you figure out what’s actually driving your eating patterns so you can stop playing "let's make a deal" with your meals.Or if you're ready to go into 2026 feeling the best you ever have, book a consult here. Connect with JordanaFind me on InstagramSign up for my weekly letter with personal stories and nutrition, body image and mindset tipsSchedule a free discovery call to talk more about working together Listen to more episodes of The Diet Diaries