HoneyLine: Diet Should be a Four Letter Word

Provided by TheHoneyLine.com.

On a regular basis I go over in my mind some of the most troublesome things I see about how people approach eating, and the wonder mess we have made out of a very simple thing. The concept that food is for the stomach, and the stomach is for food went out the window with the entrance of fat free, low fat, microwave, low carb, no gluten and ORGANIC. Since when did a lollipop become organic? Can we just hit the reset button and clean the slate!

1. DON'T FEAR FOOD

It is so sad that we as a culture (especially us girls) have become afraid of food. Eating and food are a wonderful part of our life's experience, and half of us are walking around dreading having to figure out what to put in our mouths. Bummer! Food engages conversation, sharing, enjoyment, and so many other wonderful things. When did it become such a bad thing?

We hear all around us to love ourselves, and one of the ways we can do that is to eat food that serves our body, but also for us to love the food we're eating. I mean don't we have enough other things to throw our fear at?

2. DON'T COMPLICATE FOOD

I can't stand how complicated the media, doctors, and dietitians have made eating. Please don't use the word diet anymore! How about if we all eat breakfast, don't skip meals, avoid fake foods that have no nutritional value, don't over eat, avoid stress eating, and the massive consumption of sugary drinks that make up 20% of our caloric intake. Is it really rocket science or are we looking for an excuse? I love that people get educated, but then at some point where does good old fashion common sense come in?

3. WHAT FOODS ARE RIGHT FOR YOU

There is no one right way for everyone. How can one way of eating serve all of us? This is where you as an individual need to take responsibility and figure out which way of eating is best for you and your goals. Not everyone is a low carb winner. Some people have an incredibly difficult time turning animal proteins into energy and that particular diet makes them feel tired and sluggish. Others will eat their hand if they eat too many good carbs (veggies, fruit etc) and not enough big protein. Their bodies blow through it and they're hungry in an hour. How about we all take a little time to experiment with what works for each of us? I myself am not a vegetarian, but I do believe that vegetarian diets suit certain bodies and lifestyles.

4. FOOD IS FUEL, NOT AN ESCAPE

Food has become an escape. Get out there! Don't hide in your food. Food is fuel and not a solution to anything other than giving your body nutrients. I love chocolate like the next girl, but it's not going to change my situation. Eat food to enjoy it and feed yourself. If you're having stress go talk to someone, or take a run. Don't shove the nearest donut down your throat. Let's all stop hiding in our food and big bodies and get healthy. I know I'm making it sound easy or trite but I only have 800 words so I can't mince them.

5. STOP AND ENJOY YOUR FOOD

Stop eating in your car or at your desk. We can't find 15 minutes to take a moment out of our vehicles and our work to eat? Chew slowly, notice the taste, and take a moment for yourself. Those few minutes are not going to make that much of a difference, and it's critical to be mindful of what you are putting into your body.

Food is a big part of the "what my body looks like" pie, so it's great if you are exercising but if you really want to help yourself out dial in your eating life.

 

Comments

[Eli Davidson]

01:10 AM on 03/04/2009

Hot Dog!!!! Thank you so much for such a great post! I couldn't agree more. Once I started my Low Criticism Diet I observed that my relationship with food and my weight altered. I am healthier and leaner than I was in my 20's.

Thanks again,
Eli Davidson

[Gary Katch]

12:13 PM on 02/28/2009

The article neglects to define what "food" is, although there was in implication that sugary drinks were not, and there is a class of things we can ingest referred to as "fake foods" which I assume include candy bars, soft drinks, cakes, biscuits and pies.

The road to health in my opinion and experience is reducing or eliminating the following: sugar, vegetable oils, white flour. Many people will find they are healthier if they don't eat grains at all, especially wheat.

[wvstanley]

09:27 PM on 02/27/2009

This article presents some simple, yet elegant words about the healthy enjoyment that can accompany one of our basic daily needs. In too many circumstances eating becomes a throw away activity often done on the run between other tasks. Ms Reece reminds us that we can do ourselves a big treat if we slow down a bit and remember ways to enjoy this necessity, I appreciate her reminder and will use it many times in the future. Thanks again.

[singermuse]

08:14 PM on 02/27/2009

Thank you, Gabrielle!
No woman, man, or child should EVER diet!
It was only after I decided not to ever diet again that I began to eat moderately and healthfully and ate ENOUGH calories to raise my metabolism and return me to health and vitality.

[benne]

05:55 PM on 02/27/2009

Hey, number 4 and 5 are in apparent contradiction. Of course, all this advice about enjoying food really is puritanical speak for enjoy your food only in the way I tell you. There are multiple ways to enjoy food, of course, and people who "overeat" (whatever that means) don't necessarily use food to compensate for some deep dark secret. They might actually ENJOY it, as hard as that is to believe.

[AZAcct]

02:42 PM on 02/27/2009

:) this is very refreshing to read...it's so annoying sometimes when I get my fitness magazine and there are 3 different diet articles saying they're the diet to lose weight with 4 different workout plans that will tone you followed by the obligatory "love your body" article...uh huh...love your body but do the 3 diets and 4 workouts so you drop a dress size in 30 days...frustration

[Anne Naylor]

01:54 PM on 02/27/2009

Gabrielle

I love your common sense ideas about food I live in France where food is most definitely enjoyed and appreciated and meals are wonderful comings together of family and/or friends. Meal times are a great joy.. People have time for food. It is a favourite conversation topic - recipes, cooking methods, new ideas, ingredients, combinations. Food is fun!

Many thanks for an excellent post!
Anne

[DCinFrance]

03:53 AM on 02/28/2009

I too live in France, and this is correct. Dinner is not McDs in the car; it's a two hour event where things...food, drink and conversation...are appreciated. And, I'm always shocked when I return to the US. The call it the French Paradox, but rightfully the paradox is American. With all of its diet plans, exercise clubs, 12 Step programs and nearly fanatical obsession with "healthly lifestyles", why are 35% of Americans medically obese?

[Treehuggindirtworshiper]

10:58 AM on 02/27/2009

Great artical Gabrielle. I want to let you know I use you as an example for my 5'3" eleven year old. She's projected to be 6" (wanted her to play volleyball but she swims). I want her to be pround of her height and seeing successful tall women in the world helps her to embrace who she is and who she will be!

[LolaP]

09:29 AM on 02/27/2009

i don't understand.. diet IS a four letter word?

[MissAngela]

03:33 PM on 02/27/2009

"the four letter word" is a way of referring to f*ck...without having to drop the F-bomb. She's saying lets make "diet" as uncouth to say as f*ck