CityGirl Guide…..Food Rules For The Busy CityGirl

Posted by Grace in Uncategorized | 10 comments

“When diet is wrong medicine is of no use. When diet is correct medicine is of no need.” Ayurvedic Proverb

I’m more of an over eater than an under eater, it’s not hard to be living amongst the worlds greatest pasta, pizza and cuisine here in Italy.

For me eating and diet have been a life long interest, and a challenge at times, having experienced the extremes of eating dis-orders.

I now embrace food and enjoy it for:

1. Pleasure
2. Connection
3. Vitality

Interestingly , since doing so my previous anxieties and weight have stabilised. Food as a friend is so much nicer than as my once shameful enemy.

I’ve realised now, having worked with many women (and men) on weight issues and body image, that food represents a different experience for everyone, so I don’t expect you to resonate with all that is here.

I’ve also learned that the best diet to follow, is a simple one,  it shouldn’t be some complex methodology that involves hours of preparation and mathematical calculations!

In any case I hope these are helpful techniques for all you busy women out there who struggle with weight and/or food issues.

I’d love to have your thoughts and comments as I continue on this inspiring  journey.

Food Rules for the busy CityGirl

1: Drop the labels, drop the weight. Food is your friend until you label it otherwise; so don’t put anything in your mouth you label as  “bad” , your feelings are powerful and  dictate how your body assimilates and/or eliminates the food!

2: Diet comes from the Latin,  Deit meaning Good or God, hence your diet should be “god-like” .  God is to be celebrated, embraced, and enjoyed , so in my view your diet and eating habits should reflect the same.

3: FAT: Is really Fear And Threat. How can you possibly combat fear and threat through your diet? Sure you might lose some weight but if you don’t deal with the underlying fear/threat you perceive, then your results will be minimum and short lived. (I offer consults on this , also see The CityGirl Detox too).

4:   Food should be mainly from the land So learn to eat real food, not manufactured crap. “Eat Food, mostly plants, not too much” is a good moto. See Michael Pollan’s book “Food Rules” (image below) here http://bit.ly/rNEF67

5: ”French Women Don’t Get Fat”…Well actually some do!  I have worked with a few personally but they don’t have the epidemic of weight gain we do because they embrace food as a pleasureful not a shameful experience, plus they use a variety of dishes as opposed to one big plate, this leads to greater sensory satisfaction and less overeating. See more here: http://bit.ly/dzqogJ

6: Eating Disorders are simply that, dis-order, if you want to to bring your relationship with food back into order, you will have to re-order your relationship with yourself first. All relationships are a reflection of self.

7: Intuitive eating is your greatest gift to perfect weight.  No one knows your body like you do, that’s why diets don’t work long term. Slow down and tune in before you eat !

8:   Always Leave Some Space Within When You Eat. In doing so you experience greater alertness, vitality and (my favorite) you can look forward to eating something a few hours later! Little but often, yepiee!

9:  Mindful Eating is best for the CityGirl . As a busy woman learn to make your eating busy-less! Eat slowly instead of on the go.

10: You can’t live on bread alone! Proteins are very satisfying,  add some form of protein to each meal. Snack on protein to balance blood sugars and reducing cravings later on.

11: Practice Aperitivo, Italian Style: Have a little starter like we do here in Italy before dinner. A glass of vino accompanied always by some nibbles, it curbs the hunger that might later lead you to scoffing all your food in seconds!…. Where is the pleasure in that?

12: Have something greater to do in your life than EAT. When we are fulfilled on the inside, we don’t need to fill up on stuff from the outside!  What inspiring work or service really full-fills you? Go out and do it! Your relationship with food will change forever, I promise you!

I’d love to have your thoughts as well as understand sue of your own food rules, we all have them Ladies, are yours a little too harsh or too easy at times?

Get in touch if you’d love an exclusive copy of The Body Bliss Booklet- A Guide to greater Health and Wealth for the busy professional!

Grace