Restriction, or black and white thinking around food, often leads to binging, or feeling out of control around food, or intensified cravings in the absence of actual hunger.
Viewing all foods in a more neutral light (vs “good” and “bad”) actually keeps it from having mastery over us. The first time I heard this, I thought it was crazy. “But what about health?! What about nutrition?!”
This does not mean ignoring nutrition or what is best for your body. It means recognizing that “black and white” thinking about food often backfires. How many times have you followed a rigid plan, or cut out foods, only to find it hard to stick with? How many times did you end up miserably “giving in” and throwing these well intentioned plans to care for yourself out the window?
When it comes to health, and feeling good, give yourself some grace. Be realistic with changes you may want to make in how you eat, for whatever reason. Know that what matters is what you do over time, not what you eat one time.
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We aren’t just physical beings—we have minds, emotions, and souls too. In eating, and in life, expecting perfection often leads to feelings of shame and swinging between extremes. You are either eating “good” or eating “bad” and therefore you are feeling “good” or feeling “bad” about yourself. There’s a beautiful place in the middle where you can eat to care for your body, listen to your body, and give yourself grace in the process.
Perfection and rigidity aren’t requirements to pursue health. Often times, they get in the way.?
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