How To Get Your Fill Of Food And Move On

"Take it all! It’s FREE!"

Shouted the former ‘restrictive eater’ voice when I realized blackberries were growing wild, ripe and abundantly along my street and at the park I walk to every morning.

And when 3oz of it cost $4.99 in the grocery store, the knee jerk reaction is to listen to that voice and load up as much I can.

Problem is it would take all day or several days, and unless I intended to cut down every single bush or take the berries to market to sell, I could NOT in fact collect it all.

Eating until I was stuffed would not only make me uncomfortable but also take away from the experience of picking wild blackberries, enjoying the beautiful weather and engaging with my dog as we walked.

The solution?

Acknowledging that though blackberry season was here for a short time, it was still available anytime I wanted, unless someone decided to chop them down or they suddenly dried up.

So, for the last 2 months of summer, I walked with a ziploc bag most mornings just in case.

The outcome of giving yourself this kind of full permission to explore food is such that:

Somedays I filled the bag with just enough to fit in my fanny pack without being squished.

Sometimes I didn't even bother taking out the bag. I walked, picked (and scattered food so my dog could sniff while I did so) and ate until I'd had enough.

Other days I filled the bag all the way up.

And some days I walked on right by without picking or eating.

All of which gave nourishment in a way going ham (hard as a motherf*****) would not have.

Unless you are facing real food insecurity, the foods you want or desire are always available to you.

Allowing yourself to choose (say yes or no) because you truly desire/dislike foods vs being fearful you won't be able to have them again, makes the difference between eating experiences that leave you satisfied and ones that don't.

Contrary to what diet culture has drilled into you, there really are no rules preventing you from having foods you want/like/desire AND you can trust yourself to have your fill and move on.

But it requires practice and patience.

A few places to start:

• Give yourself permission to explore a wider variety of foods - it gives you more options and reduces boredom.

• Challenge the food rules and the food police when they pop up preventing you from curiously experimenting/trying varied foods. Ask “where did I learn that?”

• Check whether you’re present when eating your food or distracted. Are you savoring food tuning in to taste, texture etc or are you rushing through eating tasting nothing?

• Note whether you’re capable of noticing your hunger and fullness. Are you sensing the subtle signs or do you only notice when you're extremely ravenous or overstuffed?

Yes, making food choices that honor your health is your right. However food as a tool, is more than just nutrients, just as your health is more than just the food you eat.

There's a whole YOU to nourish.

So what better way to honor and nourish ALL OF YOU than trusting (or learning to trust) yourself with food.