Does your head often spin in search of the “healthiest” diet? Do you get angry and stressed out turning on the news or plugging into social media only to find completely contradictory recommendations?
If so, I hear you. I understand your frustration and aggravation.
The nutritional science world says…
Gluten is bad. Sugar is the devil. Eat 3 meals a day, no actually eat 6. Raw is better than cooked. Avoid red meat. Saturated fat is good for you. No food after 8pm. Eat breakfast. No wait, fast in the am. Fat makes you fat. Eat fat to lose weight. Coffee is bad for you. Coffee is healthy.
What? No wonder you are so confused and stressed/obsessed about food.
The metaphysical world says…
You can change the vibration of food with intention. What you believe about food is all that matters. If you bless your food, it will be healthy for your body (even a hot fudge sundae). If you think a food will make you fat, it will. Food intolerances are made up in your head.
These are the two extremes when it comes to perspectives on eating healthy and your relationship with food. The thing is, both have truth to them. We are spiritual beings having a human experience. We are also human beings having a spiritual experience. We are both human and spiritual. We must honor both. Could there be a meeting in the middle?
I think so. Actually, I know so. I have been on the journey.
I have tried a whole lot of diets and programs throughout my life. None worked. I constantly looked outside of myself for the answers. Every time I tried the next new diet, I was left feeling disappointed and like a failure when it didn’t work. Then I moved on to the next shortly after…Not a very empowering pattern, right?
There came the time on my journey that I finally stopped looking outside for the answer, and instead, turned within. I began a journey of relying on my own wisdom and guidance. I started getting in touch with own body’s clues and messages. I changed my mindset to one of curiousity and experimentation. Over time, I developed the muscle of trusting myself and my body. I became my own expert.
Does the science of food matter? Yes.
Do your emotions and beliefs about food matter? Yes.
Health and peace come when finding a balance between the two.
I have learned that what you think and feel about what you eat is just as important as the quality and nutritional value of the food you eat. Our bodies respond instantly to our emotions and thoughts. When we experience guilt, shame, and stress over what we eat, our body’s response to the food is negatively impacted. Digestion, metabolism, and hormonal balance are all thrown off when the body is under stress. The source of stress can simply be the thoughts and judgments we have about what we are eating.
I believe the stress and mental battle over eating “too much” or eating “badly” can be more damaging than the food itself. All the rules, restrictions, and judgments we have around food is really the reason the scale won’t budge and our health issues prevail.
Is it possible for you to try on this new mindset? A mindset of curiosity and experimentation.
Try something new. See how it feels. Listen to your body. Respond to what your body is telling you. Pivot and shift if that is what it wants. Keep going. Be your own experiment and you will become your own expert.
The key is slowing down, going within, and listening. Forget the “rules” out there. Absolutely take into consideration what the “experts” say, yet allow yourself to be in the drivers seat.
Use your own discernment to figure out what works for you, and what does not. Ask yourself, how does this way of eating work for my body? Try it. How does it feel? Your body will tell you.
Can you feel how this shift in approach takes the judgment and frustration out?
Ease up. Be gentle. The next diet is not the answer.
