I used to get really upset when I heard people saying that because it sounded like curvy people choose to be in a situation where they are not living up to the expectations of a ‘perfect’ body.
Critics should think twice before they speak – as in truth it’s not all that simple – and the curvy individuals amongst us shouldn’t mirror themselves too much with the women in fashion magazines. These women look skinny indeed but nobody tells you what they have to do and sacrifice to get that body… and what techniques are used to get that perfect image/picture. The only thing you need to do to become the perfect you is to find a balance in what you eat on a daily basis.
So how to become the best version of yourself – the one where you are still able to actually eat?
What works for me is lowering the amount of carbs to once a day or occasionally twice a day.
Intermittent fasting (e.g. eating in a timeframe of 8 hours so your body has 16 hours to digest & rest)
Buy more fresh ingredients and lower the consumption of ultra-processed foods.
The Harvard University says that for optimal health you should follow a plant-based diet, every day as often as possible. To my opinion that sounds much better than becoming a full time vegan because there are things like a tender piece of château briand or steamed mussels I just like too much!
According to many researches the following foods are good for you – for many different reasons:
Whole grains – berries – cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, kale, cauliflower) – fatty fish – microgreens
leafy greens (salad, spinach) – yoghurt – some types of nuts (almond, walnut) – olive oil – beans
If you adhere to this list of ingredients as much as you can, it’s ok to add certain things which are less healthy like red meat or food high in fat, salt and/or sugar so now and then.
I’m not an expert so I’m not going to much into details about vitamins, minerals, fibers, antioxidants folate & phytochemicals – most important is that you have an idea of what to put on your plate.
Besides what you eat it’s also good to understand how you eat it… ever heard about mindful eating?
Mindful eating means honoring the food, engaging all your senses, taking small bites & eating slowly.
Changing your eating pattern will be a bit tough in the beginning but if you stick to it for a couple of weeks, it will become a habit… after a couple of months it will become a lifestyle.
When people feel down they tend to eat unhealthy because it makes them feel better. It’s the fat and sugar giving the body an extra boost of endorphins – think of how you feel after eating a piece of chocolate – but unfortunately ‘that happy feeling’ only lasts for a little while and then you need more of it. That’s how you end up in a vicious circle: your mental health has an effect on what you eat BUT also what you eat has an effect on your mental health.
Our body is extremely complex and relies on nutritious food to keep the cells, organs, brain, nervous system and other body systems healthy. So you shouldn’t eat healthier because other people don’t like the way you look… you should do it because your body systems will benefit from it and YOU will ‘feel’ better mentally and physically.
Now I’m older and wiser 🙂 I understand that what we eat plays a role in who we are but there is much more to it what meets the eye. I definitely agree that eating healthier makes me happier and I feel more confident in my clothes! I accept that I will never have the ‘perfect’ body but to my opinion… having a bit of curves is perfectly ok!
Important:
This article is to make you more conscious about the benefits of eating healthy. In no way is this information meant to be taken as medical advise.
Before starting any kind of special diet, it’s best to contact your doctor or a dietitian.
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