Nature AND Nurture - How To Eat AND Love it!

Being a health coach, I have a vast knowledge of nutrition. I know which foods are empowering my body and which ones make it weaker. I know the benefits of certain foods and I know which ones to avoid. And yet a few days ago, I found myself second-guessing my own food choices. Intellectually, I knew I was eating the right things, but I wasn't feeling right.

I decided to talk to a friend of mine who is also a health coach to get an outside opinion. After chatting for a few minutes, my friend asked me two unexpected questions - am I eating food that my body wants or food my mind wants and most importantly, am I nurturing my body with my food choices?

After considering her questions and truly listening to my gut, I realized that I wasn't giving my body enough of the healthy fats that it needed. With so much going on in my life, I didn't even acknowledge the weather changes which affected my nutritional needs. Just like I help my clients with my health coaching services, I also needed a coach to remind me to slow down and listen to myself.

As seasons change, so do the needs of our bodies. I do love my fruits, but I find that seasonal and local foods love my body more. When the weather cools down, I need foods that are higher in protein, such as beans, bean sprouts, grains and even a little bit of organic, wild-caught fish and local farm eggs from humanely-raised chickens. That's what really nurtures me and I am sticking to that. 

Just like with fashion, sometimes you feel like wearing a bright red dress while other days you may lean towards muted colors. Life is always in motion and always changing, and so we must follow. But one rule always stays the same - keep nurturing your body! It deserves to be radiant and energetic. 

I urge you to listen to your gut and learn which foods nurture you. If your meal gives you energy that lasts for hours without making you crash or crave sugar or coffee, then that's the right food for you. If food makes you tired, then you are either eating the wrong food or the wrong portion. Keep playing with it until you find your own perfect balance. But beware; your perfect meal today may not be perfect for you in a few months or even days. Let yourself blossom!