Moods For Foods

How often a day do you check your body? This is more than just seeing how the new top you just bought looks. Body checking is where you’re evaluating your body based on your perception of what it “should” look like. This may look different for each person. How often a day do you look in the mirror and then immediately grab your stomach, thighs or arms to see if they look or feel bigger? When you walk past windows are you constantly looking to see if you look different? Do you grab your stomach to see if it feels larger after a meal and then beat yourself up if it does? These are just a few examples.

It’s OKAY if you’re reading this and realizing you do all of the above. It doesn’t mean you’re a bad person or doing a “bad” thing. Health isn’t good or bad, what I want to bring to your attention is that you may have some distortion with your body/health/food. You may have some “fat phobia” because of what society has deemed what “healthy” should look like. It’s okay to admit if you’re struggling with this, that’s what therapists, psychiatrists and dietitians are here to help with. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you feel like you are struggling with some body image problems. Finding peace with your body and the way it looks is such a freeing experience, everyone should know that feeling.

Remember health isn’t linear, recovery from an eating disorder/disordered eating pattern isn’t linear so don’t be too hard on yourself. Reach out if you need help or support.

With this week being national eating disorder awareness week I wanted to touch on them briefly: Eating disorders affect about 9% of the population worldwide. Roughly 28.8 million Americans will have an eating disorder in their lifetime and less than 6% of the people with an eating disorder are underweight. Eating disorders are actually among the deadliest mental illness, which is frightening considering how little they are talked about.

There are several types of eating disorders, the most common being: anorexia nervosa
bulimia nervosa
binge eating disorder
avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder
body dysmorphic disorder

Eating disorders are a very serious health condition that often go undiagnosed for far too long. If you or someone you know is struggling with their relationship with food or their body, Please reach out to a local therapist and/or dietitian to get help.

Eating disorders take time to heal both mentally and physically. So give yourself this grace to allow yourself to heal properly. Recovery isn’t a one size fits all, it’s fluid and constantly changing based on your individual needs.

Please reach out if you need assistance finding a provider in your area, I am happy to help you. I am currently taking new clients along with my colleagues at Enhance Nutrition Associates ( ) if you feel we would be a good fit to help you in your recovery journey. ☀️

Statistics found on: anad.org

How often do you eat as a family?

Multiple times a week, Once a week, once a month? Family dinners are actually one of the most important things you can do with your child to help build a positive relationship with food and eating. Did you know only about 30% of families eat dinner together regularly?

You can start eating with your child when they are just MONTHS old. Once your child has started solids and eating what you are eating, this is a great time to start eating meals with them. Of course, life is busy right? So if this is just dinner a couple times a week, GREAT! You are exposing your child to what a family meal looks like, not making them eat by themselves or feel like you’re putting pressure on them around a meal.

How would you feel if your partner just stared at you while you eat your cereal and drink your morning coffee? Or if you just got started eating and someone got up from the table and Immediately starting doing the dishes and other household chores while you are trying to enjoy your meal? It’s a little odd right? Put yourself in your child’s shoes. It’s not fun eating alone so why do we make them do it?

Do your best to try and eat with your child multiple times a week and it’s okay if it’s different meals. The important thing is that you’re eating together, talking together and spending quality time together.

Pregnancy: such a beautiful time in a womens life, also can be terrifying right!?

So many questions, worries, opinions, etc.

Let’s start by saying there’s a lot to know, and it’s hard to know everything while pregnant. So here are just a few tips to help you have as easy of a pregnancy as your body and growing baby will allow you to have.

1. Hydrate hydrate hydrate all throughout your pregnancy

2. Walks are your bff, good for you and good for the growing baby

3. 1st trimester: keep something on your stomach to “coat it”. This will help prevent some nausea. Things such as a nature valley honey and oats bar (even if it’s a half of a bar), a piece of toast, crackers, etc. Do your best to have a little something on your stomach a good portion of the day, do your best to not get overly hungry or go too long without eating. Of course consult your doctor if you are unable to get the nausea/vomiting under control

4. 2nd trimester: the hunger hits! Make sure you honor your hunger and your fullness here. Eat when you’re hungry, try to have a variety of foods as well (not just your cravings). This is a great time to introduce foods that didn’t sound so great in your first trimester back in. Try to start your day with a breakfast that has some fruit or veggie in it. Pre-portioned fresh fruit cups are one of my recommendations - easy grab and go!

5. 3rd trimester: small meals and snacks. As your baby grows so does your belly but not your stomach. In fact, your stomach gets a little “smushed” causing early satiety when eating. It’s important to know this so you make sure to still eat enough but also not eating too much to cause you discomfort. This is why small meals more frequently will be helpful.

More tips to come, these are just some quick tips! If you have any questions at all you always message me and I’m happy to help 🍉