What I eat seems to be a subject people are curious about.
For years when it comes to nutrition, people have been trying to pigeon hole me.
I’ll admit, having been in the health field since 1980, I have tried every “diet” and eating lifestyle out there.
How do I choose what to eat?
I listen to my body and then eat accordingly!
Why is there no diet plan called the “listen and eat” diet?
Perhaps because of the burger smack-down episode (if you haven’t read my April 2009 Joyinmovement newsletter check it out), I’ve been thinking a lot about my own nutritional choices and I had an insight that I think is quite profound.
At some point in the spring, I started feeling afraid of what food could be doing TO ME if I wasn’t eating the “right” foods.
Am I taking in too many pesticides, too many preservatives, too much sugar; questions like these were guiding my choices, and I was feeling tense about enjoying food.
It was as if I was doing “damage control eating,” which made me feel very defensive, only focusing on what damage the food could be causing in my body and to my health.
I began to realize how stressful it is when you eat in reaction to the question, “What’s this doing TO ME?” when a MUCH more useful question is, “What’s this doing FOR ME?”
When I ask myself, “What’s this doing FOR me?” changing that one word has a big effect on how I react and how I feel.
I don’t want to be scared or worried about what I choose to eat.
When I’m considering what to eat, and I think about what it’ll do FOR me (will it give me energy, will it replenish my body with nutrients, will it hydrate me, will it provide me with fiber), I make better choices and in a more relaxed manner. I feel informed, proactive and empowered rather than defensive and scared.
When you’re making nutritional choices, ask yourself if your choice will do any of the following FOR you: will it provide you with nutrients? Better health? Energy and stamina? A fit and trim body? A heart that’s healthy and bones that are strong? Will it satisfy my taste buds?
These are just a few possible FOR questions to ask.
Make a list of questions based on what’s important and necessary to you.
This idea of substituting FOR for TO can also be used when you’re making exercise choices or choices about how to handle any of the challenges that come along during life.
Remember, it’s not about perfection and doing it “right” every single time.
Any step is a good one when it’s a step in the right direction.
Let me know if you try out this question substitution exercise. Did it help you?
shelli
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