Hi all,

When I say the word ‘food’, how do you feel? Excited? Overwhelmed? Worried? Stressed? Happy?

Food has become a word that evokes so much emotion from us all. There was a time when food was the unfortunate catalyst with regards my mental health but now I see it as a very important part of my being, my source of life, nourishment and delight! I adore it!

But don’t get me wrong, sometimes it can still be a stress too. Will this fuel me for my training tomorrow? Should I really have another glass of wine? Why didn’t that meal fill me up? What if this restaurant doesn’t have any gluten free options…?

So rather than letting it bring up negative emotions/ feelings or stresses, we can instead focus on a few tips that will encourage a positive mindset with regards food, eating and our diet.

This weeks ‘5 Top Tips on a Tuesday’ will focus on 5 different factors to help promote a positive mindset around food!

1. View food as nourishment

We all need to eat. Food is our fuel source, it nourishes our bodies with the nutrients we need to function. Fill it with premium fuel and it will reward you for it – more energy, less disease, stronger bones, brighter skin. Let yourself gravitate towards the food you know will help your body grow and stay strong. But food also feeds our soul too – which brings me on to tip number 2…

2. Eat only what you enjoy

Yes you heard me, only eat what you enjoy. Don’t like salads? Don’t eat them. Not a big avocado fan even though it’s ‘full of healthy fats and the whole world is eating avo on toast’? Don’t eat them. Focus on what makes you feel good rather than what you think you should eat. Never feel guilty about not eating a ‘superfood’ or ‘the newest food that will help you live to 100’ if you don’t enjoy it. Everything you eat should bring a smile to your face.

3. Do not use food as a reward

This is a biggy that will help you a lot. Yes have treats, occasion foods even that special something you have every day but don’t view it as a ‘reward’. Have a hard day at work? Enjoy a chunk of dark chocolate because you want it, not because you ‘deserve’ it. Food is not payment for a job well done.

4. Listen to your body

Some people find this easy, others very difficult. When it comes to food, your body knows what feels right and what doesn’t. Your body knows …