10 Sep Change your eating habits in three steps

September 10, 2018

One reason to eat is to fuel your body.  The second reason is to feed your soul.  When you strike a balance between the two, pause to notice how you feel.  You’ll probably be feeling happy and nourished.  The more often you reach that balance point, the better you will feel physically, mentally, and emotionally.

So many diets focus solely on fueling your body, and rightly so.  Your body needs the proper macronutrients, vitamins, and minerals to function.  That means learning the fat to carb to protein ratio that works for you and how to incorporate enough fruits and vegetables.

An equally important component of any diet is feeding your soul.  This tends to be the challenging part of making dietary changes.  If you find it difficult to change what you eat, try this three step process.

1. Incorporate into your routine more non-food related activities that make you happy. Simultaneously, eat according to your diet the best you can.  Your cravings and palate will start changing.
2. With your changed palate, find ways to make your new diet feel indulgent. For example, you may find a new appreciation for the sweet taste of caramelized vegetables.  So, include more caramelized carrots or Brussels sprouts with your meals.
3. Now that you’re feeling good and making great food choices, find a few special occasion treats that work with your new diet and refined palate. Maybe you’ve always loved carrot cake, so now you find a version of carrot cake that plays with the natural sweetness of the carrots and relies less on added sugar.

If this process sounds difficult, reach out for support to help you make the changes.  That support can be friend and family encouraging you and holding you accountable.  It can also be a food coach walking you through the process and holding you accountable so that you achieve your goals.  If you’re interested in learning about the ETP Food Coaching Program, sign up for a free consultation.

In short, food feeds your body and your soul.  Neither is to be neglected.  So enjoy life, cake and all!