What I eat in a day | Part 2
For years, my lunch routine was stuck in a repetitive cycle dictated by rigid food rules. As a nurse working irregular shifts, I often found myself suppressing hunger cues with black coffee, water, or gum, leaving me feeling unsatisfied and irritable. But with my shift to intuitive eating and food freedom, lunchtime has transformed into a nourishing and flexible experience.
Gone are the days of calorie-counting and guilt-inducing salads. Instead, I've learned to tune into my body's hunger signals and honor them with balanced meals that provide the fuel I need to thrive, both physically and mentally. No longer constrained by arbitrary meal timings or restrictive food choices, I now have the freedom to enjoy a variety of options that truly satisfy my cravings and nourish my body.
My energy levels have soared, and I no longer experience the dreaded mid-afternoon slump. By letting go of food rules and embracing intuitive eating principles, I've discovered a newfound sense of freedom and flexibility in my relationship with food.
Old me (consumed by food rules and disordered eating behaviours)
Did I eat carbs at breakfast? Will I eat carbs for tea? I can’t have carbs twice in one day.
I should have a salad
Limited options because of elimination so many food groups through disordered eating
Am I going out for tea tonight? Do I need to make this meal ‘light’ to prepare?
Eating lunch at a specific time, such as at noon or during a designated "lunch hour."
Limiting or avoiding carbohydrates at lunch to prevent weight gain.
Portion controlling lunch to limit calorie intake.
Feeling guilty or ashamed for indulging in certain foods at lunch, such as sandwiches, pasta, or fast food.
Believing that skipping lunch or eating a very small lunch is necessary for weight loss.
Associating lunch with moral value, such as labeling certain foods as "good" or "bad."
Feeling the need to "earn" lunch through exercise or other forms of "compensation."
Feeling pressure to have a "healthy" or "balanced" lunch, as defined by diet culture standards.
New me (working towards being intuitive eater and finding food freedom and a healthy relationship with food)
Notice my hunger cues, and honour them
Use gentle nutrition to guide a balanced lunch with whole carbs, protein, healthy fats and fruit/vege
Understand I can have carbs at every meal
Connect with what I feel like to guide my lunch choice
Lots of options available as I allow all foods, and I can be flexible with my options
I can eat leftovers, takeaways or a meal out
Honor my cravings: If I’m craving a specific food for lunch, allow myself to enjoy it without guilt or restriction.
Choose foods that that will nourish me. Focus on lunch options that bring joy and satisfaction, rather than ones that I feel obligated to eat or that I think you "should" eat.
Let go of judgment: Release any guilt or shame associated with my lunch choices. Remember that all foods can fit into a balanced and intuitive eating approach, and there's no need to label foods as "good" or "bad."
You may resonate with some of the food rules, diet culture and disordered eating patterns I’ve shared. I’m here to show you what intuitive eating can look like, and the freedom and flexibility it gives you.
Join me on this journey as I share more insights into the old me versus the new me in the 'What I Eat in a Day' series, and discover the transformative power of intuitive eating for yourself.
Be kind to yourself,
M x
