A holistically healthy New Year’s reflection
Following the festive season, many are those who choose a healthier diet or weight management as the new year’s resolution. Yet rather than opting for changes which at times are too hard to stick to, this could be a good period to reflect on our personal views about food, which in return influence our eating habits and behaviour.
So, what is food for me?
For some, it could simply be something to stuff their mouth with when hunger kicks in, yet for others, it is a source of nutrition, a means of socialising or a means of keeping healthy. Many are those who would think a variety of these views at various stages in their life. A balance in the above way of thinking leads to a holistic healthy image of food in one’s life.
Yet there could be other opinions on the subject:
“food is my comfort when I am happy, angry, sad or bored”,
“food is calories and that scares me as it makes me put on weight”,
“it is what I deprive myself of to attract attention”,
“it is what I consume in isolation so that others do not judge me.”
These are comments that reflect a rather negative or distorted image about food, especially when they become part of one’s lifestyle. Such statements have an impact on the holistic well-being of the person- on the body, mind and one’s spirit.
In view of this, it is worth asking ourselves:
Does the image I have about food shift more towards the positive thoughts or the negative ones?
Is my body image having a negative impact on other areas of my well-being?
Am I ready to shift my thoughts towards the positive ones?
Can I manage on my own? Or there is the need for professional guidance?
If I need guidance, where should I start from? Am I only prepared to speak up about my situation with a professional for now? Do I need guidance with what and when I should eat to maintain a healthy weight, lose, or gain according to my personal needs? Do I need a professional to guide me with my anxiety about food? Do I need guidance in avoiding overeating out of emotions and/or boredom?
Hence, the aim of this reflection is to understand more about how ‘I’ view food, and how the first step towards a holistic healthier version of ME can be made. This does not imply making drastic changes, but rather tackling one change at a time towards a healthier version of oneself for the year ahead.
Mariella Porter is a Registered Nutritionist who has just joined TAASC. She works with clients requiring weight management guidance, those dealing with disordered eating and those with special dietary needs amongst other areas.
Mariella can be contacted via email
