Even in tough times, it’s important to continue to fuel your body.
Don’t forget to eat some fruits and vegetables and whole grains. Make sure you’re getting protein and including some healthy fats.
But also, allow for bread and chocolate and wine and cheese.
I’m posting this blog on a week in which my dinners included homemade macaroni and cheese, stuffed butternut squash, and mashed potatoes and gravy – comforting all around.
Of course, food should not be our only mode of self-soothing, but c’mon, sometimes it just works, and that is okay!
What? The dietitian isn’t telling me to put down the ice cream spoon and back away from the carton?
No.
We actually need to comfort ourselves sometimes. Yes, we could also:
and I encourage you to do ALL of these things, but if a serving of mac & cheese will give you a little bit of serenity in a tough time, it’s okay, it’s not going to hurt you.
Not that you need permission from a dietitian to eat anything you want, but if it can help you to let go of the GUILT or SHAME of following a pretty natural instinct, consider yourself absolved. Topping tough times with feeling bad about yourself for eating isn’t beneficial to anyone.
A relationship with food, just like a relationship with a person, can take many forms. Sometimes food is simply fuel and sometimes it provides pleasure. Sometimes we need it to heal physically, but it can be an emotional balm as well from time to time. And though we shouldn’t expect food to solve problems – it can’t do that – it’s okay if sometimes it provides a moment of peace or joy in a cruel, cruel world.
That said, there are certainly COMFORT FOODS that are also nutritious – warm, cozy, well-seasoned, but also full of fiber and other valuable nutrients.
So, I wanted to share a few ideas with you that can nourish both body and soul:
1. Soups and stews – warm, hearty, and soothing. Try lentil soup for tons of fiber and flavor – here’s our household’s version on YouTube.
2. Noodle soups are also very comforting – nothing wrong with a good chicken noodle, or for something a bit different, check out this variation on Instagram.
3. Chili – mine is always vegetarian, but also always hits the spot, especially this time of year.
4. Mashed potatoes and gravy – I like to go the extra nutritious mile by leaving on the skins and sometimes adding some cauliflower in the mash.
5. Rice and beans – simple, but satisfying.
6. Pasta dishes can be really cozy – try matching your volume of pasta with an equal quantity of a cooked vegetable (ie: add broccoli to the mac and cheese).
7. Even something simple like oatmeal, cooked to the perfect consistency and topped with all your favorites, can really hit the spot.
8. Desserts and sweets. Sure, you can make your brownies with beans or sub ice cream for frozen banana, but sometimes it’s worth going for “the real thing”. Let yourself savor and enjoy it. Mindful eating can slow us down and feel like self-care.
Hope you’ve been eating well lately, but if you find yourself struggling, don’t hesitate to reach out. I am accepting Illinois-based clients for nutrition counselling and am currently able to take Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance – PPO and Blue Choice plans.
Here’s a link to schedule a free consult if you are interested.
