LOSE THE LABELS

SOMETHING THAT SOMETIMES freaks out my new clients is when I encourage them to ditch the labels they assign to their diet.

So many people are so used to having a name for the diet they follow, the idea of not having that as a framework can be scary. Rather than seeing the freedom in eating what feels right for them and their body without a Vegan/Vegetarian/Keto/Paleo/[whatever the hell is trending this week] categorization, they panic. What if not having any limits becomes a free-for-all?

The good news is that almost everyone comes to love having the flexibility to choose based on their unique needs. Here are some basic tips to help you get started with becoming a flexible eater.

Journal It Out

If you’re new to the concept of eating whatever you want without that being a “bad” thing, journaling can be incredibly valuable in helping you tune into which foods help you feel great and which foods and combinations just don’t do it for you. Remember, this should be about you and you alone— not how you think you should be eating or how someone else wants you to eat.

As patterns start to emerge or you notice changes or shifts you need to make, go with it. The body is really smart and will tell us what it needs—we just have to listen. As I talked about in earlier chapters, my cravings for high-fat foods like sardines packed in olive oil were a clue to me that my stress levels were insanely high and that I needed to take a holistic approach to get a handle on that. Or say you eat mainly plant protein but get an intense craving for steak out of seemingly nowhere, it could be a sign that your iron is a little low and your body is asking for help replenishing its stores.

If your cravings are freaking you out, reach out to your doctor and ask whether there are any medical tests that could rule out an underlying problem.

Make It Easy

Once you know what you need to feel great, make it convenient to make it happen. Stock up on the basics you need and plan ahead if you know you’re going to be really busy. If it’ll make you feel better, or if the shifts you’re allowing yourself to make impact other people you’re living with or share meals with regularly, you can let them know.

Give Yourself Permission to Change

What works for us at one time in our life can change. Check in with yourself along the way. To share a personal example, when I was in my twenties, I ate sweet oatmeal for breakfast pretty much every day. Then when I was twenty-seven, I suddenly got a taste for savory breakfast and savory oats became a regular thing. Then when I was thirty-one, I suddenly couldn’t stand the thought of oatmeal or grains in general. I made sure to cover my nutritional bases, but because I felt really good starting my day with things like eggs, vegetables, and potatoes, I didn’t bother to look back. I figure that throughout my life, I’ll continue to go through changes in what feels good as my body chemistry changes, and I’m okay with that.

Bottom Line

Ditching the labels around what you eat can help you better connect with your body and what you need to thrive.