Fears That Hold Us Back from Intuitive Eating #3- "I Won't Eat Healthy"
Many people fear that free choice and access to eat any food that they want means that they won’t eat “healthy.” Diet plans dictate a structure of what, when, and how much to eat. Structured diets can give us a false sense of security (that we’re in control), so much so that any deviation from a “healthy” plan can feel like a panic-inducing free fall. You’ve probably noticed that I’ve been putting quotes around the word “healthy.” The reason for the quotes is that “healthy” is a subjective word that diet culture uses to elevate the status of certain foods/practices while demonizing others. “Healthy” means different things to different people. It takes almost no time at all for a “healthy” diet to become disordered eating or a full-blown eating disorder when a person has a genetic susceptibility, certain personality traits (e.g., perfectionism), and experiences certain environmental factors (e.g., food policing at home). I firmly believe that restricting food groups and (or) total energy (calories) are not health-inducing recommendations. If anything, food and caloric restriction can lead to nutritional deficiencies, disordered eating, and eating disorders which have deleterious effects on overall health.
When we make peace with food and allow ourselves access to all different types of foods we naturally end up balancing our intake with foods that provide us with both the nutrition and satisfaction we need. Of course, this is all contingent on the premise that we can access different types of foods easily, which is not the reality for many people who experience food insecurity. All we can do is the best to feed ourselves with the resources we have access to.
It’s important to remember that all foods contain one, or a combination of, the three macronutrients (carbohydrates, fat, proteins). Our bodies break these down to their basic elements to use for cellular energy, rebuilding tissue/muscle, and so on. Whether you’re eating an apple or a candy bar, the carbohydrates will be broken down to glucose for our cells to use as energy. Our minds know the difference between the food items (thus the moralizing thoughts about which foods are “better” for us) but our bodies don’t discriminate. The point is, that both an apple and a candy bar will give your body the fuel it needs to function.
During the intuitive eating process, nutrition is not the primary focus. The reason for that is that too much emphasis on nutrition early in the process can increase restrictive thoughts and behaviors, which derails progress and keeps you stuck in the diet mentality. In the beginning of the intuitive eating process it’s not uncommon to eat a larger proportion of formerly forbidden foods. When we’re further along in the journey and truly have unconditional permission to eat any food we like, our intuitive signals will take over and guide us toward a greater variety of foods. It’s not uncommon for me to hear a client say “I was really craving a big, crunchy salad last night.” This doesn’t surprise me! Our palates naturally crave variety. We’d get pretty bored with our food if we only one type of food all day long, every day!
There isn’t one “best” or “healthy” way to eat; there’s just your way, or the way that works for, and feels best to you. When we eat a variety of foods and balance nutrition with satisfaction, we get what we truly need! If you’re just beginning your intuitive eating journey, don't get bogged down in nutrition rhetoric. Keep practicing permission and honoring your hunger; your body is wise and will get what it needs!
XO
Nicole
Photo by Haley Owens (@haleyo) via Unsplash