Food is nourishment, it’s natures medicine. It’s colourful, flavourful, delicious and to be enjoyed. Our diet isn’t something we go on or off. It’s not something we need to place endless rules or restrictions around, so we ‘can’t’ have this or that. It’s a way of life that we should approach with a mindfulness of what is best for our bodies. By understanding how our bodies work and what they require to thrive in good health, we’re empowered to keep our bodies lovely and healthy, and can still have our cake and eat it too!
Cutting out whole food groups through fad diets or trends often encourages deprivation and demonization of foods which can lead to nutrient deficiencies to the point of malnutrition. They also tend to focus on quick results and almost always on weight loss which is unsustainable.
Some of these clean eating fads create eating behaviours that are so restrictive, they transition into a condition called ‘orthorexia,’ which is an obsession with proper or healthful eating. When you neglect whole food groups you might notice that you start feeling low on energy, dizzy, headaches, brain fog, weaker immune system and become moody and irritable. Longer term there will be negative effects to your health and mood also.
To be and feel your best you need a varied diet, encompassing protein, good fats, and complex carbohydrates (3 essential micronutrient groups that are needed to nourish and sustain your body). Foods that are close to their natural state tend to have more nutrients and fibre which support health (and happiness) long term. Nutrients such as Omega 3 (some food sources being oily fish and flaxseeds and chia seeds) for instance are associated with supporting healthy glowing skin, brain health, better moods, or B vitamins (some food sources being beef, leafy greens, lentils, avocado) are important for a well-functioning metabolism, our brain and nervous system and so help keep our minds functioning well.
Basically, you want the majority of your diet to be made up of unprocessed natural wholefoods. A simple way of achieving this and ensuring you get the vitamins, minerals and other important micro-nutrients is to eat a diverse range from each of these groups, think organic grass-fed meat, oily fish, eggs, milk, yoghurt, nuts, seeds, beans lentils, good fats, whole grains, fruit and vegetables (eat the rainbow).
Food should nourish both your mind and your body, so make it fun. Perhaps brush up on your cooking skills and express your creativity in the kitchen! If you like sushi, you could make a deconstructed sushi bowl with some delicious brown rice, smoked salmon, avocado, endame beans, pickled ginger, a homemade wasabi dressing (whipped up by you), rocket and seaweed! Enjoy working out some of your own nourishing creations!
No one is perfect, yet we often expect ourselves to be! When we learn to accept ourselves we are likely to feel happier. The way to do this, change the way you think. Nothing about us can be rejected when it’s realised, acknowledged and accepted that everything about us holds the key to restoration. Accepting that, like all people we have functional and dysfunctional parts of our self is an important part of psychological well being. It doesn’t mean we don’t feel bad at times, but we don’t dwell on it as much or beat ourselves up.
Learning to know and accept our whole selves more through self-compassion, to be real, rather than trying to be perfect, is a firmer foundation for a happier healthier life.
You are the best guidance system you have, with personal power being a very important aspect of managing food choices. Do what’s right for you, as at the end of the day nobody knows what’s best for you, but you. So, that ‘cake’ for instance, which may be your piece of chocolate, well have it, but make a few small changes in your approach. Swap the ingredients so they offer your body some nourishment and ditch the negative thinking that goes with eating it. It’s time to live and enjoy life in a way that is healthy and fun with your food.
This is all part of the journey to good health. Be inspired and learn how to enjoy this life with food, so your vice isn’t a guilty indulgence, but a nourishing pleasure.
