Food 101

As a dietitian, I often get asked, “what do you eat everyday?” or “what should I be eating?” or “I want to lose x pounds, tell me how to do that.” Everyone wants a super straightforward answer, and the truth is, it’s not that simple.

When it comes to a diet philosophy, mine is simple. Eat a wide variety of unprocessed foods, but allow all foods without judgement. What does this mean? Vegetables, fruits, meats, beans, nuts, and eggs are all abundant in my diet, but so are cookies, ice cream, chips, and bagels.

I also think it's important to eat in a sustainable way - and I don't mean just for the planet. Food is very personal. We all have our likes, dislikes, styles, patterns, customs, etc, and forcing someone into eating foods they don't enjoy will never work long-term. I want each person I work with to be able to sustain healthy habits, which means each person will need a different program for success. 

When it comes to counseling clients, I truly want to get everyone to a point where they no longer need me. I don’t want anyone following a food plan for life, even though they definitely have a place in my practice. Eating according to a plan is helpful for a) people who are just starting out and really need guidance in food choices or portions, and b) people with specific body composition goals.

For long term health, as well as happiness, it’s ideal to learn to eat more intuitively. First, you want to figure out if any foods specifically affect YOU and your digestion, skin, mood, etc. Beyond that, eating whole, nourishing foods, listening to your body, and enjoying your life and social settings without guilt are, in my opinion, the long term goals for optimal health and happiness.

If you feel like you’re struggling in any of these areas, let me help! Contact me and we can find the perfect plan for you :)