Issue No. 6: Food, Nutrition, and Access in Our Communities
Words - Victoria Brown

About three months into the pandemic, somewhere between considering a sourdough starter and discovering shallots, I noticed my relationship to food shifting. These days, I’m steps away from my kitchen, where all the rules I have around food have become more apparent than ever. I’ve always had a complicated relationship with food, having struggled with disordered eating earlier in my life. So when I came across the idea of intuitive eating, I was curious. These pillars by Evelyn Tribole MS RDN and Elyse Resch MS RDN have helped me shift to a more liberating way of eating.  

Choose Nourishing Foods 
Opt for foods you enjoy that nourish your specific genetic blueprint. There is no perfect way of eating, nor will one meal outweigh what you eat over time. Focus on gentle nutrition–consistently eating satisfying, nutrient dense, sustainable foods that make you feel good. 

Honor Your Fullness
Eat consciously when you’re hungry and savor the smells, texture, and flavors. Tune into the natural cues your body gives you around satisfaction and pleasure while you’re eating and after you finish a meal. 

Reject Diet Culture 
Toss the books and articles that measure success by shrinking your body quickly through extreme measures. Spend time each day celebrating and admiring your body through self care. 

Give Yourself Permission To Eat 
Depriving yourself of major food groups can lead to intense cravings and overeating, so allow yourself to eat the foods you love in a mindful way. 

Remove Judgement 
Diet culture demands we create rules around our food choices being good or bad, which can leave us feeling guilty when we get derailed. Think of each meal as a choice instead of a reflection on yourself. 

Move in a Way that Feels Good 
As opposed to forcing intense workouts for the purpose of burning calories, draw awareness to what kind of movement leaves you feeling embodied and energized.  

Respect your Genes
We wouldn't expect someone with a larger shoe size to fit into a smaller shoe. Accept that your genes are a roadmap for optimal well-being and respect your body as it is now. 

Cope with Emotions
While food can offer us comfort or distraction from difficult emotions, it will also not solve them. Be kind to yourself as you get to the root of those feelings and find other ways to nurture yourself outside of food.