Time to Reset Our Relationship with Food
As much as we like to think of nutrition as simple and easy, more often than not we’re lost in a jungle of nutrition information that is full of should’s vs. shouldn’t and good vs. bad. It’s confusing and even down right paralyzing at times, making it nearly impossible to make food decisions.
In fact, picture this: You're standing in front of your refrigerator ready to make something to eat and when you look in there, all you hear in your head is…
“I should have… it has xyz in it and that’s good for your gut health”
“I can’t have dairy because I read that article that dairy causes dry skin”
“I should have a salad because I bought those greens, but I’m really in the mood for a sandwich”
“Man, I want that, but it has so many calories in it and I’m going out to dinner later and I want to save up for that”
“Maybe I can squeeze in a gym session or a workout so I can have those cookies today”
“I can’t believe I’m hungry again already… didn’t I just eat something?!”
“Maybe I should just push off this meal until a little bit later”
We’re left paralyzed and unable to make a simple decision like what should I eat.
I call this the nutrition jungle—a forest full of vines, trees, foliage, and so densely packed that it’s hard to just see the forest. We’re left confused and overwhelmed that we have thoughts like “I wish someone would just tell me exactly what to eat!”
This is diet culture. Diet culture has implanted nutrition ‘education’ into our minds that leads us to confusion. But it’s not really nutrition, it’s dieting. It’s meant to make us confused and overwhelmed so we’ll sign up for the next best approach. *Enter Whole 30, Keto, Intermittent fasting, WW, and Noom* It makes sense that we’re drawn to these programs and approaches—they appear to simplify the jungle. But really, they just add to it.
It’s time for a change.
Food doesn’t have to be this confusing. You don’t have to have these reels in your head about what you should or shouldn’t be eating. You can approach nutrition in a different way—that’s adding in instead of taking away. When you focus on nutrition, alongside a supportive, and diet culture aware nutritional counselor who can aid you in weeding through the jungle, you can start to see nutrition from a new perspective—a more neutral, safe place that encourages agency and autonomy. With support and guidance, you can change these patterns, quiet the voices, and make meal time more simple and less chaotic.
