In honor of one of my favorite NPR segments/podcasts, I’m focusing my first blog post on my beliefs as they relate to food and balanced nutrition.
1. Food is Our First Medicine.
Nature has provided us with most of what we need to keep our bodies healthy. We are fortunate to have an abundance of foods from which to choose, and we are healthiest when we choose from a wide variety of foods.
2. There is no nutritional ‘magic bullet.’
If I had a penny for every time someone asked me about the latest superfood…….. The truth is, our knowledge is only at the tip of the iceberg. Scientists are discovering compounds that keep us healthy nearly all the time. The best strategy is to eat what you like, try some new foods, and strive to have your plate look like a rainbow.
But, above all, sit down, relax and ENJOY your food!
3. Diets don’t work.
I know. This one hits the hardest and can be a bitter pill to swallow. However, study after study has demonstrated that the greatest indicator of future weight gain is having previously being on a restrictive diet. Diet companies continue to reap record profits while their success statistics are dismal. They might be the first field to repeatedly convince their consumers that failure is the consumers’ fault and not the diets themselves! Amazing, isn’t it?
4. Diets cause cravings.
In studies dating back to the 1950s, restricting food intake causes people to obsess about food and increase the amount of food that they eat!
5. Listening to your body does work.
Yes, I know that sitting down to a meal and paying attention can initially take more time and effort than following a set meal plan, but in the long run, this practice can help your body find it’s natural weight and free yourself from preoccupation with food, without feeling deprived.
6. Negative self-talk doesn’t translate into positive change.
Evidence shows that we don’t make improvements in our health by bashing our bodies or our habits. Quite the opposite happens as we tend to rebel against that inner voice. Think of how you would talk to a beloved child, or to a colleague that you wanted to encourage…..And start to use that same language with yourself!
7. You can make positive change in your life and your health. Whether you know a little or a lot about nutrition, my goal is to help you work with your personal knowledge and personality strengths to empower you to become your best you.
Well, there you have it. You’ll see that a balanced approach to nutrition isn’t that hard. It does require you to take some time to focus on your eating experience to enjoy the tastes and textures, and to feel your hunger and fullness.
If you’ve been yo-yo dieting most of your life, and looking for a solution to the never-ending cycle of gaining and losing weight, there is an alternative. Check out my series on Intuitive Eating, starting with What is Intuitive Eating?
And if you’re curious about what it’s like to get the support of a professional as you work to improve your health and feel great, schedule a complimentary 15-minute call with me!
0 Comments