Fuel. Your. Body.

The flight attendants instruct you to put your oxygen mask on first, before helping others. Why? Because you can’t help others if you can’t breathe yourself!

One of the most common ways we neglect our bodies is through our diet! Eating is one of the core physical components to self-care, because it literally is the fuel our bodies use to survive!

Food affects our performance and energy levels.

If you go long periods of time without eating during your waking hours (i.e. greater than 5-6 hours), your body is unable to function at its' best. You may not be able to think clearly as your brain is starved of glucose (aka, carbohydrates), and may also experience fatigue, low energy levels or headaches. If you were planning on exercising or you have a particularly strenuous day....good luck! Depleting your body of necessary nutrients makes every task significantly more difficult!

Food is what gives your cells the energy they need accomplish their tasks. Include a balance of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats throughout the day to help nourish your cells with what they need to help you perform.

Fuel. Your. Body.

Food can impact our mood.

Food provides important compounds that contribute to the hormones in our body which regulate our mood. In particular, carbohydrates and protein affect our ability to make serotonin (the happy hormone). Both of these macronutrients also contain important vitamins and minerals that affect our neurological system. When our cells and brain are not receiving enough fuel, we can experience irritability or what is commonly referred to as being “hangry”!

On the opposite end of the spectrum, if we are given too much fuel at one time, we may experience lethargy. It is important to practice mindful eating.  Train yourself to listen to your hunger and satiety cues.  Avoid getting to a point of feeling like you are starving, and try to stop eating when you are feeling fully satisfied. Mindful eating is also great for the waistline!

Fuel. Your. Body.

Food provides comfort and satisfaction.

We are given taste buds because food is pleasurable and meant to be enjoyed! Food should taste good. The enjoyment becomes problematic when we turn to food as the primary means to comfort our emotions.

Tune into why and when you eat to identify if you are turning to food as a coping mechanism. If you often find yourself eating to soothe uncomfortable emotions, instead of passing harsh judgement on yourself, approach from an angle of curiosity and self-compassion. Ask yourself what you are really needing in the moment and experiment with alternative activities to address feelings that you may be experiencing.

Fuel. Your. Body.