Say goodbye to dieting.

I saw a quote today that got me thinking about my relationship with food and how I encourage my clients feel about their plate. The quote says:

“It’s not a short-term diet. It’s a long-term lifestyle change”.

I really like the message behind this. It is very much aligned with what I teach my clients. I work with my clients to find the way of eating that fits them. Not them trying to fit into a diet.

My Philosophy

As a whole-food nutritionist I spend a lot of time discussing the benefits of eating food that is as close to it’s natural source as possible.

This is a personal choice I make for a number of reasons:

• It just tastes better
• The food you choose is often seasonal, which I like ethically and environmentally
• I enjoy cooking so I like to make things from scratch
• I grew up in a house that eat the whole food way so it feels natural for me
• A whole-food diet makes me feel happier and healthy

There’s that word – HEALTHY. This is a commonly over-used word in wellness circles these days. Food is often discussed as needing to be more nutritious, packed health, brimming with goodness.

It can really be a source of panic for many people these days that their food isn’t “healthy enough”.

So it can be a bit overwhelming for clients to find the balance with their plates.

In my clinic I like to break down the fads and the debunk the myths to help my clients develop of peaceful relationship with food.

How do I discuss ways of eating with my clients?

I see every client as an individual. They have different needs and belief systems from each other and therefore avoiding protocol catch-all approaches to health is the basis of all my treatments.

Firstly I will investigate what is already on their plate.

Most people are already doing their best to eat a nutritious diet, which helps a lot. Some may need a nudge in the right direction. Others may need a complete overhaul – which is why they are made an appointment with me in the first place.

Secondly, I understand how their current way of eating is impacting their health status.

This means understanding the complex relationship between macro-nutrient, vitamins, minerals and how they are absorbed and used by the body. As a clinically trained nutritionist I am qualified to give targeted advice on how people’s diets are impacting their body. I look at what food they are eating that may be hindering their overall wellbeing, or perhaps foods that could improve their health which needs to be added in.

Thirdly, we start adding things in – and maybe removing a few things as well.

There’s a common misconception that when you visit a naturopath you will be taking large groups of food out of your everyday diet or put on a strict elimination diet. I frequently find the opposite is true.

The bottom line is people are not eating enough vegetables – fresh and crunchy or cooked. Many aren’t drinking enough water either. I also think that most of us don’t eat enough healthy fats – omega 3s from nuts, seeds and fish. So including these is a pretty good place for me to start with my clients.

Say goodbye to dieting

Believing it is possible to develop a balanced relationship with food is important. Whatever the health concerns that brings you to a naturopath’s clinic being open to change is important.

Eating a whole-food diet is the one thing I urge all my clients to do. The benefits are enormous!

Perhaps you could start imagining what your plate could look like if you tried to break free from fads, diets and food-regret / food-reward and just lived?

If you need help then feel free to get in touch and discuss it with me at New Leaf in Marrickville.

Hannah is a nutritionist and herbal medicine practitioner in Sydney’s Inner West. She specialises in wholefood eating, mental health, plant-based diets and hormone balancing. Book an appointment with her today to help free yourself from food addition and develop a healthy, balanced approach with your plate.