In my last blog post I touched on what it means to “get back to normal” after the pandemic. And the reality is that it’s going to look different for each of us. We each have some level of trauma from what we’ve gone through over the past year and a half, and adjusting to regular life is going to be harder for some than others.
Some of us might not want to go back to the “normal” we knew before the pandemic. We might be more selective about what we put back onto our plates now that we’ve experienced a different way of being.
I’d like us to take the same approach from a nutritional standpoint. What are you putting back onto your literal plate as life gets back to normal? As you perhaps get back to eating out at restaurants, or joining neighbors and friends for backyard barbecues—what kinds of foods do you want to put back onto your plate? Do you want to go back to old patterns and habits, or is it time for a new approach?
Here are 3 ideas for approaching your nutritional goals as life returns to normal:
Keep your eyes on your own plate. Do your best to focus on your own health and nutrition, rather than concerning yourself with what everyone else is doing. This isn’t all that different from keeping your eyes on your own LIFE as life gets back to normal. What’s right for others won’t necessarily be right for you.
Trust yourself. If you’re doing the work to care for your body, then it’s time to tune out the noise. Others might have an opinion about what you should be eating—but you’re the only one who knows your unique body and its needs. Focus on nourishing yourself, and create boundaries around that if you need to. A simple, “This is what’s best for me right now” will suffice as a response to your cookie-pushing aunt or keto-obsessed friend.
Eat for how you want to feel. When outings were more limited, it may have been easier for you to eat the right foods for your body. But now that you may be increasing your social activity, that can get tricky. Try to eat for how you want to FEEL later. If you know something will make you feel bloated and uncomfortable for the next day, choose something else. Remember there is no SHOULD, and no right or wrong—it’s just a choice, and you have the power to make it.
Most importantly, remember that you’re in the driver’s seat when it comes to your own health and wellness. You can’t control what other people do—you can only control your own decisions. So if you need to add a boundary somewhere, or if you need to make some changes to accommodate your specific needs, then do that. You are your own best advocate. Lean into that and be empowered by it.
Get on Track Nutritional Therapy
Want to gain a better understanding of your body and take an individualized approach to your nutrition? That’s exactly what I do with my nutritional therapy clients. We’ll take a look at your specific situation, assess what types of changes would help you reach your optimal health, and work together to create lasting wellness.
If you want to understand HOW your body uses the food you eat, so you can make choices that give you the results you desire, join us in Healthy Food for a Happy Mood.
Disclaimer:
The content found on Integrative Counseling and Nutrition Consulting platform is not intended to be a substitute for professional therapeutic advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your psychiatrist, therapist or other qualified mental health provider with any questions you may have regarding a mental health condition.