Two food rules you can challenge today.
The new year always comes with the pressure to set goals, try a new diet, and whatever else - “be more! do more. be better. be different!” I challenge you to try on a new lens this year. A lens that chooses being KINDER to yourself and challenging diet culture.
Good intentions don’t change impact. Food rules are created with good intentions. These rules are also rigid, restrictive, unscientific, and overall damaging to your relationship with food. The rules provide a false security. Nutrition is NOT “one size fits all.”
Food rule #1: Don’t eat after X o clock
Do our bodies stop digesting and working after a certain time? No. Many have heard and taught that it is “bad” to eat at night. The intention to stop eating after x time might be to curve cravings or consume less calories in the day. However, this may actually have a reverse effect. Science shows us that the more we tell our brains we can’t have something, the more we want it. Not only that, but this rule assumes that everyone’s life happens before a certain time in the evening. IF YOU ARE AWAKE, YOU BODY NEEDS FOOD. YOUR BODY IS FASTING WHEN YOU ARE ASLEEP.
If you struggle with heartburn or reflux, it may be helpful to make sure you eat a few hours before bed and elevate when you do lie down. This is a condition that an eating pattern can help, but not meant for everyone to follow. Again, not “one size fits all.”
If you snack in the evening, ask:
am I hungry?
do I enjoy having a treat while I watch a show or hangout with my family?
how long do I stay up after dinner?
It is NORMAL and ok to snack after dinner if:
you are hungry and staying up for a few hours or late into the night
it sounds good and you want to eat
If you are to follow this time rule, what happens when you get home late from work? Do you eat and feel guilt because you broke the rule? Or do you skip eating dinner because it’s too late? Both options sound like defeat.
Challenges:
brEak the timinG food rUle, it is BS
Eat every 3-4 hours Regardless of the time of day
Honor your cravings
Food rule #2: Eat less fruit, it has sugar
Yes, fruit does have sugar. Yes, your body can not only digest sugar, it needs sugar. Your brain juice is glucose (sugar). I do not care how many “points” an apple or banana is on your diet app. Any diet that tells you a piece of fruit is unhealthy or not ok if you’re over your points is not evidence based or worth following. Fruit has sugar, along with vitamins, minerals, and fiber. It is delicious (in my opinion - it’s ok if you don’t like it). It is energizing. It’s crunchy.
Challenges:
If you like fruit, include it at a meals and snacks and Stop restricting it
Highlight what you enjoy about specific fruits
Purchase 1-2 fruits this week - choose them based on preference - what sounds good?
As you step into this year, let’s challenge diet culture together. When you notice a food rule coming up, I encourage you to ask:
How is this serving me? What is it making me feel? Where did it come from? What am I wanting to gain from it? Would setting it down be more life-giving?
What other food rules come to your mind? I would love to hear them AND work through them with you. Use the link below to fill out a connection form. I can’t wait to hear from you!