by Elana Lycos, sophomore, dietetics major
What is a good diet? This question can be answered a million different ways depending on whom you ask. A vegan will tell you that a good diet consists of pure plant-based foods. Somebody following a keto lifestyle will tell you the best thing you can do for your body is avoid carbs and eat healthy fats. Ask a college student and they might tell you a good diet is getting the most food for your buck, such as ramen noodles and anything from the 2 for $5 menu at McDonalds.
There is not one simple definition that encompasses the true meaning of a “good” diet. Yet, the world we live in today has become obsessed with creating new diets, and promoting them as the next big way to lose weight, feel great and live your best life. The problem is, all these diets force you to cut out certain foods, which can lead to cravings, and a negative attitude toward food. When you sit down to eat a meal, you should be excited about the food in front of you. There should be anticipation and a big smile on your face as you start digging in. The food you eat should make your body feel good; bloating, discomfort, nausea and other symptoms should not accompany a meal. On that note, if you’re thinking that your relationship with food could use a little spark, then what better time to start spicing things up then now?
The main thing to remember is that dieting isn’t permanent. Cutting out foods to lose weight, or loading up on protein to bulk up only lasts for so long. Having a good relationship with food is on a completely different spectrum than dieting. First, your body will invariably react to changes in your diet, which may lead to cravings, discomfort, binge eating and, in the end, disappointment. What I’ve found is that when I look at any sort of alteration to my diet as a lifestyle change, rather than as a temporary fix, it makes a world of difference. What I mean is, if I want to consume less artificial sugars, then I am going to make that a goal of mine for life, not only for the next two weeks. That doesn’t mean I’m never allowed to eat a cookie again. It means I’m going to be more aware of my daily sugar consumption, so I can try to replace artificial foods with more natural options (i.e., fruits).
Another thing to remember is that eating isn’t all black and white; there’s a lot of gray areas. As hard as it is, try not to label food as being good or bad. Food is food, and its purpose is to give you energy and make you feel good. So if you are craving a hamburger, don’t order a salad. All this will do is leave you feeling unsatisfied, no matter how good the salad might be. Of course, this doesn’t mean that eating a Big Mac every day is the way to go either. It’s all about balance, which comes from eating a variety of foods in moderation. The moment you stop viewing food as good or bad, friend or foe, is when you will start building a relationship with it.
Many people want to tell you what you can or cannot eat and sell weight loss programs that promise you the body of your dreams. The days of calorie counting, body shaming and dieting need to come to end. Yes, it is important to consume a variety of foods, including fruits and vegetables, but it is also okay to have a cookie or a hamburger occasionally. You will find that worrying less about what you’re eating, and more about how those foods make your body feel is a huge life changer.
When it comes down to it, having a healthy relationship with food means you view food as an asset to your survival, and an enjoyable thing that you get to experience every day. Worrying that you’re eating too much or settling for things that don’t subdue your cravings is not the healthiest way to live. Take a step back and really look at your eating habits to determine whether or not you are on good terms with food. If not, then maybe it’s time to start showing some love!