September 27, 2021
Hi Friends! After some technical issues I’m happy to be here. Today we’ll be discussing diets, nutrition, and our mental health. I hope you like it and please don’t forget to subscribe! Share with your friends, it’s free!!
So, food… What more is there to know? You know you do everything (mostly) right, right? Counting calories, cutting out carbs, slashing the soda and opting for more water all seem like great ideas. What if I told you crash dieting has a huge impact on your mental health? When you take trends and mold your body’s unique needs to them, it may be doing you more harm than good. While its amazing to have goals, especially nutrition related goals, what can you do to keep your mental health intact? Keep in mind, this is not a one-size-fits-all situation. Nothing ever works for everyone! This is just some general advice for a healthier, HAPPIER you.
Something I want to talk about today is “good” versus “bad” foods. I’m sure you’ve experienced guilt when eating chocolate or fast food. I’m also sure you’ve seen the growing diet culture rise of fads like keto or paleo. Maybe you’ve even tried some of these diets, and if they work for you congratulations! I wish you the best. I, however, am going to continue on my soapbox this evening.
The most common theme among these diets is restriction. Holding back your cravings, overcoming weakness and growing your willpower all while shrinking your waist. OK, maybe I’m being a little bit dramatic, who knew. My problem with restriction is the stigma around “bad” foods. In my opinion, there is no such thing as “bad” foods. Sure, unhealthy and undesirable food exists, but when you call it bad you put a moral spin on it. Is there really something morally wrong with eating McDonald’s? Not in my world. The more you restrict yourself, the more likely you are to binge. Binge eating is no joke, and can harm your internal organs along with your mental well-being.
What I’m getting at is there is room for all foods, in moderation. The more you restrict yourself the more likely you are to give up and end up consuming more calories than if you would have just eaten the candy bar, because the banana didn’t fill you up. Unless you have medical restrictions, remember life isn’t about weight. Health and weight aren’t always linked, and sometimes it seems like nutrition is all the way over on its own island of sorts. I, for instance, am chronically ill. This will be true whether I’m 100 pounds or 500 pounds. Putting too much value on weight can lead to depression, anxiety, and body dysmorphia in some cases.
Be kind to yourself, eat your veggies, and have the candy bar. Life is short.
