We envision a future where a desire to learn how to nourish our bodies better outweighs the goal of simply aiming to lose weight. “Gentle nutrition” brings a new approach that honors what it truly means to nourish our whole selves.
In chapter 10 of the “Intuitive Eating Workbook,” by Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch, the following quote summarizes the core of gentle nutrition:
“Make food choices that honor your health and taste buds while making you feel well. Remember that you don’t have to eat a perfect diet to be healthy. You will not suddenly get nutrient deficiencies or gain weight from one snack, one meal, or one day of eating. It is what you eat consistently over time that matters. Progress, not perfection, is what counts.”
This quote encapsulates the essence of gentle nutrition, urging us to abandon rigid food rules and weight-centric nutrition in favor of listening to our bodies, honoring our desires, and fostering a nourishing relationship with food.
What is Gentle Nutrition?
Gentle Nutrition is a personalized and compassionate approach to nourishing your body, mind, and soul. There’s no one-size-fits-all method, and that’s its beauty.
This approach focuses on what works best for you, considering your individual preferences, cultural and religious practices, social interactions, emotional comfort, exploration and adventure, health and wellness, and nurturing and care. Unlike strict diets or rigid meal plans, gentle nutrition embraces flexibility, mindfulness, and self-compassion in your food choices. It encourages balance, variety, and moderation, avoiding strict rules and restrictions.
The goal is to enjoy a diverse range of foods that provide essential nutrients while honoring your taste preferences and cultural traditions. Rather than obsessing over calorie counting or macronutrient ratios, gentle nutrition emphasizes tuning into your body’s hunger and fullness cues and understanding your emotional and psychological relationship with food. It celebrates the joy and satisfaction of eating, moving away from seeing food merely as fuel or a means to achieve a specific body size.
The purpose of gentle nutrition is to support your health and well-being without promoting dieting behaviors or food-related guilt and shame. It empowers you to make sustainable, long-term changes to your eating habits that benefit both your physical and emotional health.
Principles of Gentle Nutrition:
The principles of gentle nutrition, as outlined in the intuitive eating books, provide guidance while emphasizing that you and your body are always in control of how to nourish yourself. Some principles to consider are:
- Eat enough, but not too little
- Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables
- Include enough grains, preferably with a focus on whole grains (as these foods, generally, will keep you full longer and your blood sugars more balanced)
- Drink sufficient water and fluids
- Unprocessed foods are more nutritionally dense, as they usually contain less added sodium and sugar
Examples of Gentle Nutrition in Practice
Gentle nutrition is highly individualized. Here are a few examples of how it can be applied:
- Regular, Balanced Meals: If an individual struggles with erratic eating patterns and reports low energy and poor concentration, they might experiment with having regular, balanced meals throughout the day. This approach can lead to improvements in satisfaction, energy levels, and overall well-being.
- Addressing Digestive Discomfort: Someone experiencing digestive discomfort after lunch might find relief by planning and preparing their own meals. This allows them to choose foods that agree with their digestive system and avoid those that cause discomfort.
- Combating Fatigue: An individual who notices fatigue after eating may benefit from incorporating more vegetables and protein into their meals. This adjustment can help improve their energy levels, and promote better metabolic flexibility.
By customizing gentle nutrition strategies to address specific concerns, needs, and preferences, individuals can find greater satisfaction and balance in their relationship with food, their bodies, and their health. Further exploration and experimentation can unlock a wealth of possibilities for nourishing the body with kindness and compassion.
A Compassionate Sustainable Approach
Gentle nutrition offers a compassionate and sustainable approach to nourishing the body while honoring individual needs and preferences. By embracing intuitive eating principles and prioritizing self-care, individuals can cultivate a healthier and more positive relationship with food, free from the constraints of diet culture.
If you’re ready to break free from restrictive eating patterns and embrace a more nurturing approach to nutrition, the team at Rooted Path Nutrition is here to support you on your journey to feeling your best.
Contributed by Emina Suta MS, RDN, IFNCP – schedule an appointment with Emina here »