How To Turn the Corner into Healthier Eating after a Crisis
How are you doing my friend? Wow. We just went through a doozie of a crisis, right? Who would have thought 2020 would hold a major pandemic. It was completely unthinkable, and I'm so glad that it seems like the worst of it is behind us. As a nutritionist, this has me wondering...
Are you looking to make some healthy changes post quarantine, but having trouble actually turning the corner? I think there are millions of people around the globe right now...struggling with the same thing. And I've been there my friend. I know it's a frustrating place to be. Wanting to do better, but feeling like you are stalling out.
Sometimes it's not even by choice, and maybe you have been "stuck" in unhealthy patterns for weeks. Maybe it's because of quarantine, or an illness, or someone else does the shopping. But most of the time....we are standing in our own way. That's frustrating, right? To realize that you have the power to change, but you just haven't.
You have to understand something though, before you can successfully get out of your own way. Are you ready to hear the absolute truth? It will set you free. Truth sheds light in a dark area and helps us see how to go forward. ....Here it is....
You are in your own way, but it's not your fault. I feel very strongly about this.
You are not purposely thinking....something unhealthy sounds good. I want a headache and to feel bloated and to sleep terribly, so I think I'll go get some fast food. Then I'll go get a sugary coffee and a couple of pieces of chocolate cake so I can finally get that stomach ache again.
Nope. Unhealthy eating, even when it's our own food choices, is hardly ever on purpose. When it is, it's categorized as a type of mental illness (associated with self abuse), and I know that's not the case for you my friend. If you are eating unhealthy sometimes and wanting to do better, then I'd bet that when you do slip up, it's due to a momentary loss of self control or even just forgetting for a moment how bad that burger might make you feel. It's happening because you just aren't associating the unhealthy food with feeling unhealthy. You haven’t been truly making the connection.
And that's ok. If you are on this blog, then you are trying to learn more about nutrition, and honestly, that's the first step. What counts is that you are trying to head in the right direction. Turning the corner, at this point, is just all about deciding that you want to learn more about nutrition, and that you want to make those connections and make better decisions to feel better. Once you make that decision, you are well on your way around the corner. It's just a matter of a few days or weeks, and the more you learn, the more healthy foods you will be preparing for yourself.
As a nutritionist I've turned this corner about 10 years ago, and I've never really gone back. It has been a result of YEARS of learning and reading on nutrition. I watch videos. I take certification courses. I spend "fun money" on nutrition books. It's really quite addicting once you get started. When you really understand the association between feeling healthy and eating healthy foods (they go hand in hand), it makes it so much easier to stay on track. The unhealthy foods start to gradually lose their attractiveness.
So, here are a few tips I can share with you on how to start to turn the corner, and then how to keep going.
1. Start a food journal. Tracking what you eat raises awareness. Write down what you are eating and how it makes you feel. Track food intake, water intake, energy level, moods, and anything else you are struggling with (allergies, headaches, etc)
2. Start learning more about nutrition. Read a book. Look up a holistic food pyramid. Watch nutrition videos online. If you don't have time to dive into the topic of nutrition on your own, hire a nutritionist. Their knowledge is completely worth your investment. They can, within a matter of hours or days, put together a personalized eating plan that can help keep you on track. They can also be available to review labels for you and make specific food suggestions or share recipes.
3. Throw out the junk. You may not know everything about nutrition, but you probably know the basics. Potato chips, candy and soda are bad. Get rid of the temptations. When you start working with a nutritionist they can help you find the "hidden dangers" in the pantry and fridge.
4. Make a list of your favorite fruits and vegetables. Not sure? Look up a master list online. Print it and circle your favorites. Don't start trying to eat healthy by eating kale every day if it makes you gag. Start with what you like.
5. Create a balanced meal plan with fruits and veggies as a base, then add in meat, beans, healthy fats, nuts, seeds and dairy as needed. If you want to feel really great....don't plan for refined sugar or wheat gluten at all. You don't need it. You will feel SOOOOOO much better without it. Go for a naturally sweetened dessert if you really need it. Fruit works great.
So there's a few tips from the nutritionist to help you turn that corner into healthier eating post quarantine. Let me know if you need a personalized plan. That's what I do!
Are you looking to make some healthy changes post quarantine, but having trouble actually turning the corner? I think there are millions of people around the globe right now...struggling with the same thing. And I've been there my friend. I know it's a frustrating place to be. Wanting to do better, but feeling like you are stalling out.
Sometimes it's not even by choice, and maybe you have been "stuck" in unhealthy patterns for weeks. Maybe it's because of quarantine, or an illness, or someone else does the shopping. But most of the time....we are standing in our own way. That's frustrating, right? To realize that you have the power to change, but you just haven't.
You have to understand something though, before you can successfully get out of your own way. Are you ready to hear the absolute truth? It will set you free. Truth sheds light in a dark area and helps us see how to go forward. ....Here it is....
You are in your own way, but it's not your fault. I feel very strongly about this.
You are not purposely thinking....something unhealthy sounds good. I want a headache and to feel bloated and to sleep terribly, so I think I'll go get some fast food. Then I'll go get a sugary coffee and a couple of pieces of chocolate cake so I can finally get that stomach ache again.
Nope. Unhealthy eating, even when it's our own food choices, is hardly ever on purpose. When it is, it's categorized as a type of mental illness (associated with self abuse), and I know that's not the case for you my friend. If you are eating unhealthy sometimes and wanting to do better, then I'd bet that when you do slip up, it's due to a momentary loss of self control or even just forgetting for a moment how bad that burger might make you feel. It's happening because you just aren't associating the unhealthy food with feeling unhealthy. You haven’t been truly making the connection.
And that's ok. If you are on this blog, then you are trying to learn more about nutrition, and honestly, that's the first step. What counts is that you are trying to head in the right direction. Turning the corner, at this point, is just all about deciding that you want to learn more about nutrition, and that you want to make those connections and make better decisions to feel better. Once you make that decision, you are well on your way around the corner. It's just a matter of a few days or weeks, and the more you learn, the more healthy foods you will be preparing for yourself.
As a nutritionist I've turned this corner about 10 years ago, and I've never really gone back. It has been a result of YEARS of learning and reading on nutrition. I watch videos. I take certification courses. I spend "fun money" on nutrition books. It's really quite addicting once you get started. When you really understand the association between feeling healthy and eating healthy foods (they go hand in hand), it makes it so much easier to stay on track. The unhealthy foods start to gradually lose their attractiveness.
So, here are a few tips I can share with you on how to start to turn the corner, and then how to keep going.
1. Start a food journal. Tracking what you eat raises awareness. Write down what you are eating and how it makes you feel. Track food intake, water intake, energy level, moods, and anything else you are struggling with (allergies, headaches, etc)
2. Start learning more about nutrition. Read a book. Look up a holistic food pyramid. Watch nutrition videos online. If you don't have time to dive into the topic of nutrition on your own, hire a nutritionist. Their knowledge is completely worth your investment. They can, within a matter of hours or days, put together a personalized eating plan that can help keep you on track. They can also be available to review labels for you and make specific food suggestions or share recipes.
3. Throw out the junk. You may not know everything about nutrition, but you probably know the basics. Potato chips, candy and soda are bad. Get rid of the temptations. When you start working with a nutritionist they can help you find the "hidden dangers" in the pantry and fridge.
4. Make a list of your favorite fruits and vegetables. Not sure? Look up a master list online. Print it and circle your favorites. Don't start trying to eat healthy by eating kale every day if it makes you gag. Start with what you like.
5. Create a balanced meal plan with fruits and veggies as a base, then add in meat, beans, healthy fats, nuts, seeds and dairy as needed. If you want to feel really great....don't plan for refined sugar or wheat gluten at all. You don't need it. You will feel SOOOOOO much better without it. Go for a naturally sweetened dessert if you really need it. Fruit works great.
So there's a few tips from the nutritionist to help you turn that corner into healthier eating post quarantine. Let me know if you need a personalized plan. That's what I do!
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