A healthy perspective on healthy eating
Eating a healthy diet should ideally be something you grow into as a lifestyle choice, but I think it’s really important to acknowledge that it’s not always possible to eat in an optimally healthy way all of the time. I first became aware of the impact of eating for good health in my twenties, as I grew increasingly fascinated in the role nutrition plays in human biology. However, I’ve had ups and downs since then, both in terms of my health, and in understanding the best way to eat for me. I’m the first to admit I’m not perfect, and nor do I want to be to be honest – because that just doesn’t reflect real life.
Over the years I have transitioned, slowly, into someone who chooses to eat a diet that’s based largely on the principles of the Mediterranean style of eating. I enjoy meals that are rich in colourful and varied vegetables and salads. I eat fish and meat, and I love olive oil, garlic, herbs and spices. I eat eggs, beans, legumes, lentils, oats, rice and an array of delicious fruits. I’ve identified that dairy and wheat don’t agree me with when I eat too much of them (I am prone to digestive problems and skin breakouts if I consume them regularly), so I choose to enjoy them once in a while rather than multiple times every single day. I prefer not to set restrictions on myself and find life works much better for me if I focus on eating what I enjoy rather than falling into the trap of food related anxiety. I must also state that I love chocolate and wine too! This way of eating works well for me, but we are all totally unique in how our bodies process food, and our relationships with food are also very individual.
“There is a lot of confusion around about ‘the right way to eat’.”
There is also a lot of pressure. This is often compounded by special diets being lauded as great for improving digestion, getting rid of illness, or being terrific for fat loss/weight loss. The frequency of clients coming to my clinic who have had their health and relationship with food compromised by following overly restrictive diets depresses and worries me.
However, sometimes dietary change is necessary to either improve health or facilitate weight loss, but my experience is that that never has to be something that’s rigid or dogmatic in how it’s executed. I can relate to not wanting to be ‘that person’ (the one who’s turned ‘fussy’ or suddenly can’t eat ‘normal food’; the person making others feel uncomfortable about inviting them over because they don’t know what to feed them!) Over the years, I have become more confident in staying true to my own personal choices about what I want to eat, but I also want to be a polite guest, and I certainly don’t want eyes on me when people find out what I do for a living!
“I am also very conscious that I have children. I have a huge responsibility to raise them as healthy, happy individuals who have a positive relationship with food. It’s a fine balancing act. I don’t want them to fear food at all. I want them to enjoy all foods to be honest, and understand the importance of variety and balance.”
With all this in mind I’m sharing below a little insight into the way I approach eating which I hope you will find useful. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or confused about embarking on dietary change to support your health and wellbeing you are more than welcome to consider one of my services as a means to helping you to find your right way to eat. My focus is always on food first, and eating in the spirit of happiness rather than deprivation, as this is what works best in the long run for physical and emotional wellbeing.
My Approach To Eating For Health (and staying sane)
Firstly, I just love healthy, tasty, satisfying, whole, natural, honest food. It gives me the ultimate amount of satisfaction and pleasure to eat a healthy meal or snack (that’s something made with natural ingredients and balanced in protein, fat and fibre). I love the fact that when I am at home I have all my store cupboard staples around me, so I can knock up pretty much anything delicious I want for most of the week. This might be a warming bowl of porridge, a tasty vibrant salad or omelette or some roasted vegetables with baked salmon. If I fancy something sweet it might include some chocolate. I find the process of creating dishes very fulfilling. I am mindful about the way I eat and how healthy food makes me feel. This way of living and eating makes me very happy, and it’s sustainable.
When I go out to meet friends I am a regular person. This is something I have always wanted to be, and I don’t enjoy people’s eyes on me – especially if they know what I do for a living! I don’t feel comfortable being the centre of attention. However, being a regular person doesn’t mean I have to tuck into muffins, cakes or biscuits at the coffee shop if I would rather not; I can just have a cup of black tea or coffee (makes me feel French, which I love!) That said, it also means I can decide to have a cake or biscuit (if I choose to) without then feeling like I have done something wrong. It’s my choice. I make my decisions in a mindful and free way, and if I do eat a slice of cake I’m not going to waste the experience by berating myself about it!
In all honesty, I would rather not eat things that make me feel unwell when eaten often, and I do have a keen interest in keeping fit and well, so I adopt little strategies to support myself. If I’m going out to meet friends for a coffee l make sure I have a balanced and filling breakfast or brunch first – it’s not rocket science! If I’ve eaten a lovely breakfast at home I’m in with a fighting chance of genuinely not wanting to eat cake or biscuits and that’s quite empowering.
When I eat out I want to make the most of it. I LOVE FOOD! And socially, I love nothing more than going out for lunch or dinner. When I look at a menu I do make an effort to look for a dish that’s either fish or meat with vegetables, because I enjoy eating that way. I rarely eat pasta dishes or pizzas, but it’s not unheard of. Many restaurants understand how to cater for specific dietary requirements in any case, but in general I find there is something on the menu that fits the bill. I might make the effort to have a lovely, healthy (and very delicious) main meal, but then have a chocolate fondant for desert. And why shouldn’t I? I take conscious care of my health, I eat well most of the time, and I love chocolate! I’ve become much better at sharing deserts as my taste buds and desire for sweet things have reduced over the years…
Finding Your Approach To Eating For Health
When working towards a lifestyle change in the way you eat, it might include removing certain foods from your diet and replacing them with others. To make this achievable and long-lasting it requires some work and patience. It’s really important to recognise that at times you will find yourself in situations where you need to relax things a bit too. That’s fine! That’s life! And when healthy eating is your lifestyle and not a faddy ‘diet’ then a little flexibility is absolutely fine, and probably beneficial.
Eat well at home. Own your healthy food choices there. Embrace them; love them!
Rejoice in your love of good food and home cooked meals and snacks. Look after yourself. Manage situations when you can and when it’s appropriate, and when you eat or drink something that you know doesn’t make you feel good (either physically or emotionally) recognize it as an isolated incident that need not set you off down a different track.
For me, judgement, guilt or anxiety shouldn’t feature in our relationship with food, but all too often it’s what I hear and see from my clients. It’s so easy to pick up messages – often from our formative years – that impose on us a barrier to enjoying and rejoicing in food.
My major food philosophy is to add things in rather than take things out. Get in the good stuff; the foods that make you feel naturally full and satisfied. The foods that help your digestion to work well, your energy levels to remain good and your weight to be balanced. Eat in a way that supports refreshing sleep, and a well functioning immune system. It is possible, and likely to be easier than you think! Sometimes you just need a helping hand to navigate through the stumbling blocks along the way.
I would love to work with you if you’d like help in optimizing your diet to support your health, so do get in touch if you’d like to find out more about becoming a client of mine.
