Lost in Labels
Have you noticed we live in a world of labels? And I'm not just talking about the labels on our food; I'm talking about the labels we give OURSELVES.
Dairy free, keto, sugar-free, vegan, gluten-free, low carb, paleo, intermittent fasting, soy free, grain free... The list goes on!
Labels are everywhere. It's almost like we as humans feel like if we're not labelling our diet as 'something', we're failing. We feel like if we're not jumping on the band wagon of the latest 'fad diet' or health trend, we're not in fact 'healthy'. But how wrong this is!
Disclaimer: don't get me wrong, I get sometimes labels have a place when it comes to health conditions and food intolerances etc. But I'm talking about labels we give ourselves because its 'trendy' or because we see others on social media using this label; its not 100% necessary for our health. I'm not talking about when your celiac, for example, and have to label yourself 'Gluten Free' because that is for a serious medical reason and 100% necessary.
You don't need a label in order to live a healthy, happy life. These diet 'labels' only create more stress than anything. Because once we label ourselves as 'sugar-free', for example, and then if we break that label by eating a piece of delicious chocolate cake at a birthday party, we automatically feel like a failure, we beat ourselves up over it and things like binging or restricting result. Its a vicious cycle that serves you no good whatsoever.
But what if I told you there was another way? You don't have to live by labels; you can eat what you want, when you want and still live a happy, healthy and balanced life. Doesn't that sounds amazing?
Well you can! Instead of falling into the trap of labelling yourself as a specific diet and placing so much unnecessary stress on your body and mind, just do what is right for you. It's as simple as this; tune into your body, listen to its signals and do what is right for you in each unique moment. Our bodies are so incredibly smart and know exactly what they need. Its all about being sensible, moderation & balance, and just eating real food that nourishes the body.
Some days you might choose to be dairy free or when you go out to a restaurant you might choose to be gluten free - because this style of eating at that point in time makes you feel good! I know when I eat out majority of the time I'll choose the dairy & gluten free option because that doesn't leave me feeling sick and sluggish the next day. Other days you might choose to intermittent fast for the morning because you ate a bit too much the night before, and again, that is okay! Because your listening to your body and doing what is right for it in that moment.
When we get caught up in diet labels, we lose the ability to be flexible and do what is right for our bodies in that moment. We might force something upon it that it really doesn't want & that is not doing your healthy any favours.
For years I forced myself to eat low-carb and low-fat because that is the diet labels that were trendy. Did it make me lose weight? Yes. But, did it make me healthy? No, not in the slightest. I was lethargic, fatigued and deprived of essential nutrients my body needed to function all because I was labelling myself as something that was so not right for my unique body. I thrive off fat and carbs, and I know that now because I've given up labels and just eat how & what feels right in the moment. And I am so much happier & healthier for it.
So, make the commitment to your health and happiness to give up labels. To be flexible with your approach to eating. To eat real, wholesome and nutrient dense food. And to trust and listen to your body. And see how much better you feel for it.