Nutrition, but gentle

Intuitive Eating Principle #10-Honour your Health with Gentle Nutrition.

In my early years working in healthcare as a ‘baby nurse’ I was really drawn to the power of nutrition, and its role in preventing illness and disease. In particular, working in a colorectal surgery ward I was exposed to many cases (young and old) of bowel cancer. Unfortunately, this fueled a fear and anxiety around poor nutrition and it’s potential impact on health. (Side-note, in no way am I pointing fingers at those who have been impacted by cancer, blaming their diagnosis on poor diet)

Nutrition became a real passion and hobby for me. I loved to listen to podcasts, follow social media accounts and read books based around nutrition.

When I was studying to become a health coach, this was the time I was the most rigid and restricted with my nutrition. I’ve come to learn that this can be a common experience in education for nutrition and dietetics. What starts as a passion and interest area, can become strict and rigid as we engage in more education. Ignorance is bliss?

As I started my own healing journey with intuitive eating, I embarked on more study. This time in plant-based nutrition and lifestyle medicine. With this I noticed rigid rules popping up again, luckily I was able to notice what was happening for me, and take compassionate action with intuitive eating to shift away from these food rules.

My motivation to make food choices was always based off what was the ‘most healthy’, the ‘cleanest’ or had the lesser number of calories, as I believed this was the best way to honour my body and my health.

I have learnt (and I am STILL learning) to be flexible with my approach to nutrition. Making choices based off what makes me feel my best for my energy, skin, mood etc. I really value the role of nutrition and use evidence-based resources (not Instagram influencers) to guide my choices and honour my health.

How to be gentle with nutrition:

-You get to choose what you eat and drink based on what you LIKE and what makes you feel GOOD. How does eating a particular food make you feel physically? What meals and foods make you feel nourished, fueled and strong?

-What is motivating your food choices? Is this helpful or harmful?

-You don’t need to have a perfect diet to be ‘healthy’. Evidence continues to tell us that diets don’t work and can have more negative impacts on our overall health.

-What you do consistently is what really matters for your health. One burger, ice cream or bowl of fries won’t cause negative impacts on your overall health. Progress over perfection.

“Gentle nutrition is an ongoing process of learning and discovery. It’s not one-size-fits-all, and its meaning may shift with the different seasons of your life. Our bodies are dynamic and ever-changing: be patient & approach this practice with curiosity & compassion.” Evelyn Tribole.

And surprise, surprise it’s all about being kind to yourself again!

M x

References:

Principle 10: Honor your health with gentle nutrition - Evelyn Tribole