An Anti-Diet New Year
Feeling bombarded by diet culture this New Year? You’re not alone. It can feel challenging to navigate through all of the diet and “wellness” programs that surround us in the New Year. It can feel pretty tempting to purchase the latest fad diet in an attempt to get “healthier” in the New Year. However, in reality, research shows that diets fail about 95% of the time. Instead of focusing on changing your body this New Year, below are three practical tips to help you take a non-diet approach to help promote a healthy relationship with food and your body.
Nourish your body with consistent and adequate nutrition.
Get back to the basics! Eat regular meals and snacks each day. Try plating meals with some sort of carbohydrate (bread, rice, potatoes, etc.), protein (meat, poultry, beans, lentils, tofu, etc.), fat (nuts, seeds, butter, oils, etc), and fiber (fruits, vegetables, etc.). Focus on tuning in to your hunger, fullness, and satiety cues. Choose foods that sound good in the moment instead of choosing foods based on external food rules (i.e. diets).
Remember to hydrate throughout your day-and this does not mean just water! Fluid comes in many forms including, milk, juice, sports drinks, tea and coffee, soups, and fruits and vegetables that have high water content. When we are nourished consistently and adequately, you may find you think about food much less, and can move on with more exciting things in your day!
Find ways to move that bring you joy.
Try focusing on ways to add movement into a routine that make you happy. Remember, all forms of movement count! This could be walking your dog, ice skating with a friend, going to a yoga class, or riding your bike. Moving your body doesn’t have to be in the form of going to the gym. Focus on movement that increases your energy for the day, rather than wearing you down.
Tip: Delete any health and fitness apps that compare your movement to other people. Instead, focus on moving when, what, and how much feels best for you that day.
Engage in self-care practices.
Self-care does not have to mean taking bubble baths and going to the spa. Find ways that make you feel grounded, such as engaging in a meditation or yoga practice; going for a walk outside in the fresh air; petting an animal; or talking with a close friend. This could also mean “cleaning up” your social media by deleting accounts that focus on body and food comparison.
Tip: Try following anti-diet nutrition accounts that give you inspiration for your Intuitive Eating journey. Remember–eating enough, satisfying food is also a way to take good care of yourself!
Here’s to a fantastic 2022! Need some support to reach your anti-diet goals this new year? Contact us to learn more about working with one of our registered dietitians.
