Embarking on the journey of altering our dietary habits, we don’t arrive “empty-handed” at the door of a nutrition professional. Instead, we carry a backpack filled with preconceived ideas, learned behaviors, concerns, and beliefs. This backpack, cultivated since childhood through familial habits, social relationships, and media influence, shapes our expectations about the changes we’re about to embark upon.
Beyond these expectations, a visit to a Dietitian-Nutritionist also brings along an element of uncertainty born out of our lack of knowledge. The unknown is alluring; it piques our curiosity and captures our attention. Hence, when contemplating a shift in dietary habits, we often anticipate an innovative discourse—one that we haven’t heard before, something that surprises and captivates us. Sometimes, we entertain thoughts of a miraculous food that will cure all our ills, or vitamins and supplements that will aid our journey. Other times, we believe we may have to eliminate certain foods deemed “bad” from our diets or learn to eat in alternative and unconventional ways.
However, reality often differs, and the proposed changes and guidelines aren’t as alluring, distinct, or extraordinary as we initially thought. Contrary to our expectations, we don’t need to embark on grand adventures, purchase peculiar ingredients, or eat upside down. It’s much simpler than all of that, and perhaps, at times, that’s precisely the challenge.
There’s nothing mysterious or magical about adopting healthy habits. Sometimes, we get the impression that unless we undertake extravagant endeavors that overturn our daily lives, we’re not making a significant change. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Lasting changes must align with our lifestyle and way of functioning to be effective.
To further illustrate what we mean by this article, let’s consider a comparison. Imagine a couple that hasn’t been in their best shape for a while, experiencing frequent arguments and feeling their bond is wavering. In an attempt to salvage the relationship, they decide to go on a two-week vacation to Thailand. They believe that in a different and appealing environment, disconnecting from their daily routine, things might improve. Yes, those two weeks are different, special, and enjoyable. However, when it’s time to return and resume their daily lives, home, work, and cohabitation, within a few weeks of coming back from vacation, the problems resurface.
The same can happen with our health. If we haven’t been feeling well for a while, aren’t comfortable with our bodies, or know we aren’t eating balanced meals, we might be drawn to innovative, quick, and attractive solutions. Miracle diets serve as an example. But what happens? Just like the trip to Thailand is a kind of illusion in the relationship, the magical solution will also be for our health. We can’t stay and live in Thailand, just as we can’t spend our entire lives eating only artichokes (to exaggerate a bit). Eventually, we’ll have to return to reality, back from Thailand to our city, and from the trendy diet to the eating habits we had before starting it. Unfortunately, we won’t have learned anything, and the problems will persist.
Placing all our hopes on an exotic trip or “fat-burning” pills essentially shifts the responsibility for change to factors beyond our control. We aren’t addressing the root problem. It can be challenging to bear the entire responsibility of change, but it is also the healthiest and most comforting way to care for ourselves. If the change stems from our learning and is adapted to our preferences and routines, it will be much easier to incorporate it permanently into our lives.
Thus, perhaps the best strategy is to confront relationship issues rather than escape, or in the case of dietary habits, be realistic and acknowledge that when we want to change habits, we should aim to do so permanently. When we aspire to maintain a way of caring for ourselves that will accompany us for many years, it should be as comfortable, natural, straightforward, and simple as possible.
