This time of year, it’s very common for clients to tell me that, after returning from vacation, they were “off the wagon” food-wise for a while.
I have to admit, that phrase always bothers me a little.
Part of me wants to ask, “What, did you stop eating?”
Of course, I know what people mean. I just don’t love the idea that we’re either eating “right” or eating “wrong,” with a very clear line separating the two.
Having recently returned from vacation myself (my husband and I spent a week in Iceland), I can attest to the fact that I ate differently than I do at home. The foods available were different, my schedule was different, and I didn’t have access to my usual kitchen set-up.
But I never felt like I was “off the wagon.” Even on the day when lunch consisted of half an energy bar, half a cinnamon roll, and a latte.
Because I ate something.
Because not every meal looked like that.
Because I felt satisfied in the moment.
And because I was still thinking about nutrition while we traveled. I ate fruits and vegetables every day. We actually cooked in our vacation rental kitchenette more often than we ate out… partly to save money, but also because it allowed us to prepare familiar, balanced meals.
At the same time, I didn’t turn down foods I wanted to try.
Because sometimes food is simply fuel, and you eat the packed PB&J on the bus tour because the real purpose of the day is to see waterfalls, glaciers, and geysers (oh my!).
Sometimes food is about enjoyment, and you try local specialties that you can’t find anywhere else.
Sometimes we plan, prepare, and stick to a routine.
And sometimes we simply make do in the moment.
Honestly, our bodies can handle some fluctuation and uncertainty, so long as (1) they’re being fed when hungry and (2) given a sufficient balance of nutrients over time.
I think the real challenge for many people is TRUST.
Trust that your body can handle eating a little more from time to time.
Trust that you’ll be able to stop when you’re satisfied, even when something tastes delicious.
Trust that you won’t be filled with eternal regret if you don’t sample every available treat.
Trust that you’ll naturally choose nourishing foods like fruits and vegetables some of the time.
Trust that you won’t starve if a meal happens later than planned.
Trust that you won’t suddenly forget how to cook after a week away from home.
The way we eat is meant to be a pattern, not a solid color.
If we zoom out just a bit, vacations, holidays, birthdays, and celebrations simply become part of that pattern.
But if healthy eating feels like a rigid set of rules you’re supposed to follow (and vacations become your chance to break those rules), it can be very difficult to make peace with the natural ebb and flow of life.
Life is messy. Schedules change. Plans fall apart. Meals don’t always look the way we imagined they would.
So if you believe that strict order is the only way to be healthy…
I respectfully disagree.
STRICTNESS creates tension and is rarely sustainable.
TRUST creates freedom and flexibility. It allows us to return to the habits that support us… not because we should, but because they genuinely help us feel our best.
If learning to trust yourself around food feels difficult, you’re not alone.
Many of us have spent years following food rules, dieting, or trying to control our eating, so rebuilding trust can take time. If you feel you could benefit from one-on-one nutrition counseling to help you do so, and you live in IL, I am taking new clients. Sign up for a FREE CONSULT.
