For lasting weight loss, embrace the stress of healthy eating and turn it to your advantage, says nutritionist
Four ways to approach the challenge of changing your lifestyle positively and make the stress of it work for you
I’ve accepted that many people don’t want to meet a dietitian. It’s assumed that we’re going to suggest eating bland, healthy, nutritious food, and avoiding all the tasty treats. Quite frankly, sometimes a version of that is true, causing a vicious cycle to occur.
Clients are annoyed that they must give up the fun foods, and every follow-up appointment is a discussion about how they feel deprived and can’t imagine another day without their drinks, sweets and fries.
This pattern leads to stress. People judge food as “good” and “bad”, are overwhelmed about food choices, feel frustrated that they can’t eat treats and sweets and guilty when they eat something they’re not “supposed” to. Everything about food, nutrition and health becomes stressful and unpleasant.
It’s a tricky situation, because dietitians truly don’t want people to excessively eat sweets, fried foods and other goodies or drink too much alcohol or sweetened beverages. We want to support individuals in creating long-term behaviour change and enjoying the experience. Typically, if people think they’re on a diet, it rarely sticks for the long term.
To achieve the goal of nutrition, behaviour change requires a shift in perspective.
Psychologist Kelly McGonigal’s TED talk, “How to make stress your friend”, sheds light on how one’s perception of stress can be a game changer in creating sustainable behaviour change.