The Definition of "Normal" Eating
Many people worry about food choices. They are influenced by one fad diet
or another or a media message, or what their mother always said. (If you
are Diabetic, or have another food-related illness, some of this may not
apply to you perfectly, but it can in spirit.) So here is a description of
what normal eating really looks like.
Maybe your mother was right!
1. "Normal" eating is eating when you are hungry, and stopping when you are full (most of the time).
2. It is eating regular meals, or not. Some people like to "graze" through the day.
3. It is eating what you want when you want. That means cereal for dinner or pizza for breakfast sometimes.
4. Normal is to eat chocolate, or popcorn, or another salt or sweet.
5. Normal is to go with a craving. Often this is your body telling you that you are in need of a specific nutrient.
6. It is eating too little sometimes or too much at other times.
7. Normal is paying attention to healthful food choices much of the time, and not worrying about junk food now and then.
8. Normal is paying close attention to food choices and hydration for a while, and then stopping for a while.
9. Sometimes normal is eating when you aren't hungry because it is a celebration, or even in response to stress.
10. It is not always being perfect!
Rachael Martin, M.S., R.D. is the owner of Eating and Body Image Solutions, a nutritional therapy and consulting business. She also works as a freelance writer and speaker on nutritional topics. Her specialties include mental health nutrition, eating disorders, weight management, longevity nutrition and PCOS. She can be reached at 235.1568 or at ebis-rd@earthlink.net
© 2008 Good News Tucson™
