One of the great thing about humans is that we’re all made just a little bit different. We show our uniqueness with how we dress, what we do with our time and yes even our food tastes. There’s so many foods out there that society is marketing to us regardless of whether it’s good for us, or if we actually even like it!
Let’s take kale as an example. It’s been one of those foods that over the last few years has become quite the trend. You find it in everything – smoothies, salads, and even making it into chips. No offence to kale lovers (I’m actually one of them) but what if you absolutely can’t stand it? You know it’s good for you so you force it down making eating a chore rather than an enjoyable act of self love. Why are we doing this to ourselves?
Food is meant to be savoured.
It’s one of life’s pleasures.
Our body feels the love when we eat and nourish it well.
So stop eating shit you hate!
Okay so you’re saying go out and only eat what I love? What if that’s donuts and chips?
I’m certainly not advocating for a full junk food diet. I am however a big believer in balance so what I am suggesting is to explore the possibilities.
Be willing to step outside your comfort zone and experiment a little.
We’re lucky to live in a time where we have so many options when it comes to healthy eating. Kale isn’t your thing? Try some other vegetables that’ll give you a similar health benefit but actually tastes good to you. Try something new. See how you feel when you’re eating something that you actually like the taste of and enjoy. This isn’t about following the latest trendy vegetable or food, it’s about what tastes good to you and in turn what feels good.
If you’re trying to eat better, uncovering what you enjoy is a big part of developing a healthier lifestyle. Again, its easier if you can have fun with food and take pleasure in it rather than resisting and restricting yourself. If you’ve ever been on a diet you know they’re usually hard to stick to because you’re forcing it. What if we stopped talking about diets and instead about a mindset shift? Having a different approach to food; being more mindful of when you’re hungry, what you’re putting in your body and how it makes you feel?
Eating consciously is about creating healthy habits, not restrictions.
Life is about choices. We tend to forget this with all the information being thrown at us, not only about how to eat, but what success looks like, and how we should look. When we’re listening to what others are telling us and ignore our needs, no wonder we’re feeling disconnected and out of control. I challenge you to stop following and make the choice to be your own expert and advocate. It’s easy to be overwhelmed by all the information out there.
It’s time to be curious and find what works for you. As human beings, eating is one or our primal instincts.
We eat to survive.
We eat to nourish our body and have the energy we need to live our lives.
What would happen if we started listening to our bodies more and were willing to hear what they’re trying to tell us?