// How to Eat
If I had to give anyone advice about how to live a good life, I suppose it would be something like “Drink more water. Eat green things. Be kind to yourself. Love more. ”
I am far from dogmatic when it comes to eating, but I do know more plants and things that aren’t processed are the way to go.
Micheal Pollan’s rules for eating were basically “Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.” I would say the same anytime I’m asked how to eat, or what to eat, or what is healthy. In my experience, in food studies and in being a wellness professional, simple is always the way to go….and to stop being so fixated on the actual foods and to enjoy food as a whole.
I have never liked labeling food good and bad, as we can internalize it as a moral judgement on ourselves. Food just is. There are certainly options that support health, and ones that are known to hurt it. Pick the better choices, and don’t beat yourself up to be perfect all the time. Be aware if your food choices fit your intention, and if they are helping or hurting your goals. I aim for health,wellness, longevity, with a clear, sound mind. My food choices reflect those desires.
We all mostly know what we should be eating. We also know that life is too short to obsess about food every time we must feed ourselves. I was once told life is simple, but not easy. The real work comes in changing the mindset we carry around with us, and setting an intention; from which all better healthy decisions should flow. I’m aware this is the ideal scenario, but it’s not as difficult or daunting when you take it in small bits. One beneficial decision at a time, and they start adding up. The same way, bad habits will add up.
The goal is to create a lifestyle, that you can maintain happily, without stress and certainly without guilt and shame about what you eat. Good food makes you feel better from the inside out.
Basic points to eating //
/ Eat real food, like things that didn’t come in boxes or have to be processed.
/ Avoid chemicals and additives and artificial colors and dyes.
/ Avoid anything with the label “diet.”
/ If you choose to eat meat to animal products, learn where they come from, limit quantity, and look for quality.
/ Eat more green things.
/ Eat more colorful things in the plant world.
/ Don’t be afraid of healthy fats, but balance is still key.
/ Food should be good to eat, and good to think.
/ Relax, and enjoy it.
If you’re interested in a meat free or vegan lifestyle, I will have more information about that in a future post.
Questions //
What have been your biggest challenges around food?
Has food played too big of a role in your life?
How do you find balance and acceptance with food?