Diet Culture Vs. Intuitive/Mindful Eating

Diet culture has shifted our view of what it means to be healthy 

#1: Stop guilt-tripping yourself over your eating choices

Within this diet culture there is a never ending competition among diets making us chase one and then another until we've exhausted all our options. The same way that we get sucked into consumerism, thinking we always need more things, newer things, and that we need to constantly replace the old with the new, diet culture today feeds into a similar mindset: more chasing diets, more rigidness, more rules to follow and changing ourselves to fit into a particular structure, and if we don't, we find ourselves guilt-tripping over our "mistakes."

#2 - Real change starts by accepting your body first

We also create a false image of how we should look, which damages and distorts a healthy view of our body. Aspiring to look a certain way, that fits your frame and your body-type is perfectly acceptable, and how we look definitely influences how we feel, however, the change should start inward. We reap lasting change when we start questioning our relationship with food- is it healthy? Or do you find yourself fighting with yourself about what you should and should not eat?

#3 - Have a healthy level of freedom with your eating choices

Changing the way we feel about ourselves first and shifting our mindset about what it really means to be healthy sets a good relationship and strong foundation to begin making those changes. It is important to feel you have freedom in your eating choices. When you do this, your body will start listening and transforming because you are not going against what it asks. 

Diet culture has taught us to be anxious about food and it has ruined our relationship with the most enjoyable part about life, eating! Eating should be about fulfillment, satisfaction and happiness. It's a fundamental part of life and constantly fighting with food is detrimental for your long-term well being. It can lead to eating disorders and other psychological and hormonal imbalances. And it certainly doesn't help with weight loss if that is your goal.

#4 - Let your goal be ultimately following your intuition with food

The reality is that everyone needs to find their own balanced way of eating to maintain good health. It's about what makes that person feel healthy and whole, even if it means "breaking rules" at times. Why copy what everyone else is doing?First understand the basics and take the time to experiment. Once you achieve eating by way of your own intuition, the rules and eating standards begin to fade and you will find yourself making more acceptable and conscious choices. Of course, results require work and dedication and a time investment on your end, but this work should feel good and the process should be smooth. 

#5 - Nutrition is a language of your body: get to know yours !

Nutrition is a language of your own body. It has an inner awareness that is learned. Wellness isn't about very specific things to eat, but having knowledge of food and wisdom about how it works in harmony with your body and mind. You should feel happy and energetic with the changes you make along the way.

If you want to do this and don't know where to start, find a coach that can guide and teach you how to achieve mindful eating practices for the rest of your life without ever having to bounce around from diet to diet again. It's time to truly learn your body and be in sync with your nutritional needs.

#6 - You have control over food, not food over you

So how do you break free from all the things that the media and others have fed us over the past decade about food? First of all, its about having acceptance of your own body, its about self-love, and compassion for yourself. It's also about being grateful for food itself and appreciating the pleasure we feel from eating. It is a blessing to savor food you like, and mindful eating helps you realize that you have control over food, food doesn't have control over you.