How can I Improve my Eating Habits: Re-learning How to Eat with Joy

Ah, food. You can live with it, but you can’t live without it. Since childhood, food has represented happiness, comfort, togetherness, love, and joy. As we grow into womanhood, that relationship becomes twisted and gnarled. We may associate food with guilt, shame, sadness, frustration, and our perceived discomfort with our bodies. None of these emotions have any place in our relationship with food.

Why? Food is a wonderful thing, meant to nourish your body and soul. meant to create bonds with those around you through shared meals. It is meant to improve your mental, physical, and emotional health. You can start a healthier food journey by taking small steps. One of my favorite methods is a Cleaner Eating Swap Chart, which helps you improve your overall diet one swap at a time.

What if you slip up? So what? Apply the compassion you give so abundantly to others to yourself, and move on with your healthy eating journey. Use that opportunity positively to be present in your body—without judging—in the hours or days that follow.

Did that unhealthy food change how you felt? When and how? It’s interesting to note those changes. Remember, the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step—but that doesn’t mean you never stumble.

Let’s talk about a few of the simplest and most common food swaps:

White rice, coffee, pasta, milk chocolate, and sugar all have substitutes that are one step healthier. When implemented, they are a great first step toward eating a cleaner diet.

• Let’s start with white rice. We all know white rice is delicious, just as we all know it’s not good for us.

• Next time you whip up a rice dish, try brown rice instead. Milk can easily be substituted for soy milk for drinking or baking, and it has a delicious, nutty flavor that’s easy to love.

When it comes to coffee, many of us are very attached, but green tea also has that caffeinated kick to give you a little boost.

• In addition, green tea has countless positive health benefits, making it a true boost that goes beyond your morning routine. Pasta, a huge temptation for many of us, can be substituted with gluten-free pasta. There are so many incredible options out there now for pasta, including pastas made from lentils and chickpeas.

Milk chocolate and sugar may feel like treats that should just be off limits, but they’re not! It’s all about moderation and making small adjustments.

• The next time you reach for a treat, try dark chocolate instead. It's lower in sugar, and with antioxidants to boot, it’s a great substitute. And, when it comes to sweetening with sugar, grab brown sugar in its place. If you’re feeling really ambitious, try coconut sugar or stevia.

There are many more opportunities for “baby step” food substitutions in my course, but these are a wonderful start! It’s all about adjusting your palate and your habits so you can learn to eat foods that nourish you with joy once again.

Do you enjoy what you read? see you around with a healthy body!