Our relationship with food is lifelong…

Our relationship with food is lifelong. 

As with any facet of our lives, there are going to peaks and there are going to be troughs.

And nine times out of ten, if we want to achieve something, we have to put the effort in to reap the benefits. Rarely does anything fall on our laps. 

When we want to build muscle or become fitter, we have to commit to lifting weights and moving our bodies regularly. 

When we want to push forwards in our career, we put the hours in and take on additional responsibilities to show our worth. We put that short term pressure on ourselves as we know it will pay dividends in the long run. 

When our relationships become tenuous, we work hard to resolve issues, meet each other half way and maybe even seek counselling. 

Our relationship with food is similar. To live out the healthy lifestyle we visualise for ourselves, we have to put some time and effort in to make sure we are eating as well as we can. We have to commit to planning and preparing to succeed. 

But this isn’t always linear. 

Some days and weeks, we can easily go off track and through different phases and life stages, we may find it harder to stick to than others. 

Where we are at in life and what we are experiencing, undoubtedly influences our approach to our diets. 

In the rich tapestry that is life, it is inevitable. And as with anything, it is rarely perfect.

It is our ability to be able to pull ourselves back and get back on track each time that counts. 

In clinic, I am finding this to be an increasingly common conversation piece. I am working more closely than ever on my clients' relationship with food, steering them away from this diet and restrictive eating mentality. Or conversely, the cycle of emotional and binge eating. Sometimes a fusion of both. 

Working with clients to find balance in their diet is key - as this is the only real way of succeeding with healthy eating habits through life. 

This is why I have compiled a toolkit for ‘getting back on track’ for all of my clients, which is a set of supportive tips and thought strategies to employ when they find themselves stuck in their old ways again. 

As soon as we start eating smarter again and are nourishing our bodies with the right nutrients, we will gain more energy and with more energy comes motivation. 

And of course, what ‘eating smarter’ might look like will vary from one person to the next depending on what their symptoms and / or health goals are. This is where individualised nutrition is so helpful as what works for you will not work for your best friend.

For now, here is a sneak peak into 3 TOP TIPS from my resources to help you turn a corner when you have veered off course:

1. Eat a palm sized portion of protein with every meal and snack. Protein is FILLING so this macronutrient will keep you satisfied for longer and help to lessen cravings. Eat a variety of:

• Meat

• Fish 

• Eggs

• Nuts

• Seeds, e.g. chia, hemp, sunflower, pumpkin

• Dairy, e.g. milk, yoghurt, cheeses

• Quinoa 

• Pulses and legumes, e.g. black beans, kidney beans, chickpeas, lentils

• Hummus 

• Nut butter

• Tofu

• Tempeh 

Snacks might include apple with nut butter, yoghurt with berries, nuts & seeds, wholegrain crackers with hummus, a handful nuts & raisins, a smoothie with a scoop of pea protein powder, a few brazil nuts covered in dark chocolate

2. Book something in your diary to really look forward to in 2-3 months time, e.g. organise a reunion with old friends, organise a special date night with your partner or a best friend or attend an event you’ve always wanted to attend. Something that you will be really motivated to feel great for. 

This can be the first step into getting back on track. This is your motivation. 

Visualise yourself at this event, feeling amazing and radiating energy. Once you have re-established your healthy eating habits during the build up to this event, your taste buds will have changed so you won’t experience as many cravings and you will have more energy to move forwards with your balanced way of eating after. 

3. Try an ‘adding in foods’ approach to improve the nutrient profile and density of your diet.

Examples: Add a handful of blueberries, mixed nuts and seeds to your morning porridge or cereal  / Add a side salad to meals where possible, e.g. salad leaves, peppers, avocado, edamame beans, pomegranate, drizzle of olive oil / Add a little feta cheese, a handful of rocket leaves and cherry tomatoes to your scrambled eggs on toast. 

If you’d like to book a free 20 minute chat with me to find out how I may be able to help you on a personal level, please feel free to book this on my consultation page.