Keys to Balance: Healthy Thoughts for Healthy Eating

Living foods are inherently supportive of life. But even if our diet is 100% raw, if our thoughts surrounding these foods do not affirm life, we end up missing out on the very quality of life we are seeking. Key to the experience of joyful balance is honoring all aspects of ourselves—our whole selves. As we set new dietary goals for ourselves, it is our highest good to be at peace with that within us that seeks to meet all of our inter-connected needs: physical, social, emotional, mental, and spiritual. Here are affirming thoughts for each of these:

Mental: Whatever is nourishing, healing, loving, and inspiring—think upon these things.

Physical: Rather than giving intellect full reign over what is best, expecting the body to solely obey its will, make a point to check in with your body. The body wills to live, to experience life’s pleasures, to be blessed. Take time to be quiet enough to hear its subtle messages. Listen to its likes and dislikes, symptoms, and cravings. Before eliminating major dietary components or even food favorites from your family diet, replace them with others. (If you are vegan or desire to be, see our previous article on vitamin B-12.)

Spiritual: I grew up in a spiritual community where outings to fast-food restaurants were a ritual. We would sit down with our doughnuts, sodas, burgers, and fries, and someone would utter the prayer, “Bless this food to our bodies’ use.” I find these memories somewhat amusing now, but within them I also find wisdom: Whatever your present diet, bless it! When you think about it, all foods have something to offer us: energy, pleasure, and sustenance of life, to name a few. What about the foods that give the effects of sluggishness, hyper-activity, or depression, or contribute to obesity and other forms of disease? These too have value. They are our opportunities, if you will, to make changes, to seek a new relationship with how we nourish our bodies. Rather than categorize some foods as good and others as bad (you know, angel vs. devil’s food cake, sinfully decadent, guilt-free meals, etc.), bless all of your food choices for the wisdom they offer you. This is a helpful first step in releasing the habits you wish to change. Spiritual beliefs that are guilt producing, shaming, judgmental, or self-righteous are less than life affirming. They alienate us from parts of ourselves, our family members, and others. If you find yourself hiding food or scolding or punishing yourself or your family over food choices, this is doubtfully the healthy lifestyle you are striving for. Counseling may be very helpful for getting to the root cause of this issue. Relax, love yourself, and bless all that you eat.

Social: We all have the need for loving connections with others. Our children need to socialize with other children. Share your favorite recipes, live in dietary tolerance, and check in with your social self (and that within your child) when making decisions about social events for your family. Our own family dietary practice is sometimes somewhat different at home than what we may eat in the homes of others.

Children’s need for autonomy: Bless your children’s decisions even when they differ from your own. Children are doing their job when they are curious, when they explore that which is other than what their parents choose for them. Our kids follow within them what drives them to be their own persons and to honor their whole selves: to assess the world around them for themselves and to live out their own destinies. When they step out on their own, they seek firsthand knowledge such as: What feels good in my body? Why does my friend like this? We are most helpful when we ask them what they think about their experiences and value what they say, before we tell them what we think. Allow for experimentation with foods. They need this! And if you do not permit it, they will sneak food, obsess over it, and experience guilt over their choices. Live a healthy example and trust in their instincts. Here are two encouraging stories:

  1. When I was a kid, I saw a TV ad for a processed, snack-pudding pie. The pie looked incredible and the child eating it in pure bliss. I had to have one. Mama wasn’t one for such blatant junk food, but I mustered up my courage one day at the grocery store to ask for one. She said yes! That alone felt great! I tore the plastic wrapping off as soon as I got out to the car. The pie looked noticeably different than the one in the ad—it didn’t have that fresh, out-of-the-oven look. I tried it anyway, and I was thoroughly disappointed. It didn’t taste at all like I had fantasized, and I never ate one again.

  2. My mother avoided processed sugar, while my grandmothers stocked up on it. When I was at grandma’s, I binged on all the goodies. I remember noticing on my own that my body felt yucky. Then I would get the urge to eat carrot sticks, which would help me feel better.

Experimentation with food need not be open-ended. When my two-and-a-half-year-old daughter asks me about foods that have resulted from animal suffering, for example, I honor her curiosity by saying, “I can see how that would look fun to you because of the picture on the wrapper, the colors, etc. I don’t feel comfortable buying this one, but I want to find something else new and fun for you to try.” Then we go and look for something animal-friendly that has similar appeal. As she gets older and probes further, she and I will have some heart-to-heart talks about how we can help our animal friends who are suffering.

Clean-plate club? Many of us were made to eat all of the food put on our plates. We sat there and stared at the liver and onions until they were either choked down or secretly fed to the dog. We’re finding now, however, that such authoritarian feeding practices contribute to obesity and other eating disorders. What to do with a case of the “finickies”? Read the sections on “Toddler Foods” and “Recipes for Children” for some helpful tips.

Many children do not want to eat any meat. Some babies refuse it from the start, while older children may respond in compassion or disgust once they have learned where the food has come from. “Teens are old enough to recognize animal suffering and young enough to want to do something about it,” says Carol Adams, author of Help! My Child Stopped Eating Meat! Don’t worry, there is no need to pressure your child to eat meat and every reason to support him/her in finding healthful alternatives. If you are concerned over meeting your child’s nutritional needs and feel unequipped, consult a nutritionist with vegetarian expertise. Living foods will feed your young vegetarian well! Soaked nuts and seeds are excellent sources of protein, for example, while fresh greens, dried fruits, and spirulina are all high in iron. (Read the “Superfoods and Babies” and “Recipes for Children” sections for more ideas and info.)