A holistic approach to food involves considering the impact of your food choices on not just your physical health, but also your emotional and environmental well-being. Some ways to take a holistic approach to food include:
- Eating a variety of whole, unprocessed foods that provide a balance of essential nutrients.
- Being mindful of where your food comes from and choosing options that are sustainably grown or raised.
- Avoiding foods that disagree with you or you know cause you negative health effects.
- Listening to your body and eating when you are hungry, stopping when you are full.
- Avoiding restrictive diets and instead focusing on a balanced eating pattern.
- Incorporating food as a source of pleasure and social connection in your life.
- Educating yourself about nutrition and health, so you can make informed choices about what you eat.
- Enjoy your treats.
- No guilt or negative reproach about what you eat.
Overall, a holistic approach to food involves treating food not just as fuel for your body, but also as a way to support your overall well-being. This includes considering the impact of your food choices on your physical health, mental health, and the environment.
Physical health:
- Eating a variety of whole, unprocessed foods that provide a balance of essential nutrients. This means limiting, but not restricting, processed foods, added sugars and unhealthy fats, and focusing on eating nutrient-dense foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats for most of the time.
Mental health:
- Being mindful of how different foods make you feel. Some foods can cause inflammation, which can lead to negative effects on your mood, while others can improve your mood and make you feel more energised.
Environmental health:
- Being conscious of where your food comes from and choosing options that are sustainably grown or raised where possible.
In terms of listening to your body and eating when you are hungry, stopping when you are full. This means being aware of your body’s hunger and fullness cues, and eating accordingly, rather than following a strict diet or eating schedule.
Avoiding restrictive diets and instead focusing on a balanced eating pattern. This means not eliminating entire food groups or drastically cutting calories, but instead eating a variety of foods in moderate amounts, and being flexible and realistic in your approach to food.
Overall, a holistic approach to food emphasises the importance of nourishing your body, mind, and spirit, and recognising the interconnectedness of these different aspects of well-being.
