5 "Fun Food" Facts:

You’re not “good” for skipping dessert or “bad” for going back for seconds. You’re a grown-ass woman — and you get to eat like one. But if you’ve ever found yourself elbow-deep in a bag of chips, or with sticky fingers from one too many peanut butter cups…this blog post is for you. Because whether it’s a special occasion, or an average Wednesday, these 5 “Fun Food” facts always ring true:

1. Just because it's in front of you doesn't mean you need to eat it.

   You can absolutely enjoy your favorite foods mindfully while still making progress and feeling fantastic, but can't expect the same if you indulge on every holiday and special occasion. Identify what brings you the most joy and pass on the rest.

2. Just because you started eating it doesn't mean you need to finish it.

   You can start eating something and decide it's not for you - or that you've reached a comfortable level of fullness - and leave the rest behind. It's just as "wasteful" to eat something you don't need (and maybe don't even enjoy) as it is to throw it away.

3. No one who loves you will be upset if you pass on something they made.

   Even if they made it "just for you" and/or everybody else is eating it, you don't have to. If you want it and will enjoy it, carry on! But if you're simply eating it out of obligation or people pleasing - DON'T. People who truly love you won't give a shit.

4. Enjoying a fun food (or two) isn't the same as saying "f-it" and eating until you feel uncomfortable.

   There's a lotttt of space between abstaining from fun foods completely and "falling off the wagon". Eat the things that mean the most to you, in a quantity that feels good, and move the fuck on.

5. Choosing not to enjoy any fun foods doesn't mean you're being "too strict" and choosing to enjoy several fun foods doesn't mean you're "out of control".

   Nutrition is NUANCED! And how you eat on a single occasion says very little about your health, progress, and relationship with food overall. Make the choice(s) that feel right for you based on your goals and preferences, and forget the rest.

Let’s make this the year you enjoy your favorite foods (or not) with unapologetic satisfaction and none of the shame - Apply for 1:1 Nutrition Coaching!

What does it mean to have a healthy relationship with food?

If you ask 10 people this question, you might get 10 different answers, but here’s what we mean @nutritionwithnicole when we say that we help our clients create healthy, confident relationships with food:

We teach them how to create long-term behavior change 

Anyone can demonstrate compliance without understanding only for old habits to resurface once the diet ends. Building a healthy relationship with food teaches understanding, addresses the root causes of eating patterns, and allows our clients to make mindful and informed choices moving forward. 

We help them address their emotional patterns 

We all eat in response to stress, boredom, and emotions rather than physical hunger sometimes. Learning to understand the emotional triggers behind those choices creates awareness that allows us to build healthier coping mechanisms moving forward.

We teach them how to irradicate food morality 

Labelling foods as "good" or "bad" creates guilt and shame around eating, which leads to a cycle of restriction and overeating. A healthy relationship with food, on the other hand, allows for balance, where all foods can fit in moderation, and reduces the likelihood of overindulging in “forbidden” foods.

We help them improve their quality of life 

Rather than being a source of stress (as is often the case with dieting), food becomes a source of nourishment and pleasure, contributing to a life without food noise, as well as improved mental and physical wellbeing. 

We help them create autonomy 

Creating a healthy relationship with food equips individuals with the tools to make choices that align with their needs and values, fostering habits that are healthier, more enjoyable, and sustainable over the long term.

Having a healthy relationship with food DOES look like eating a balance of nutrient-dense foods most of the time in a quantity that allows you to look, feel, and perform your best, but it’s also so much more than that.

If you want to address the deeper issues contributing to your current eating habits and lack of results, fill out a 1:1 Nutrition Coaching application and let us help you create true, lasting change in your diet, your body, and your relationship with food.