March 1 marks the beginning of another nutrition month! In Canada, the theme of this year's campaign is Take The Fight Out of Food. I particularly love this theme as it truly reflects the work I do with clients.
Why focus on taking the fight out of food?
Given we live in a society ridden with diet culture, weight talk and food rules, it can become very difficult to make food choices. Instead of looking at what feels best for us, we often turn to gurus and experts to tell us what to eat. This has left us with lots of information about nutrition (some true, some not) and LOTS of confused individuals. I can't say I blame them.
However, there is another way to experience food. One where you let go of the rigid rules and embrace food freedom. One where you learn to trust your body and listen to its wisdom. One where you leave behind guilt, regret and shame.
Taking the fight out of food means:
- Listening to your body's natural hunger and fullness cues to choose how much to eat and forgetting about traditional portion sizes
- Building meals to be both nourishing AND pleasurable
- Letting go of counting calories
- Throwing away the scale and eating for nourishment and satisfaction instead of for weight control
- Quieting the food police and embracing your journey
- Being compassionate and kind towards yourself in the process (this is KEY!)
To me, taking the fight out of food isn't about focussing on what foods you eat i.e. "good vs bad" foods. It's about looking at your overall relationship with food. How does eating feel? Does it bring you pleasure? Satisfaction? If not, why? Does it cause you stress or shame? Why is that?
If you are interested in learning more about this positive, freeing approach, contact me or find an expert near you.
Happy Nutrition Month!