Eat for energy not weight loss! Em the Nutritionist: food impacts mood
Jan 6, 2025
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Em the Nutritionist, a graduate from King's College London, specializes in fostering positive relationships with food. In this engaging conversation, she discusses how food impacts mood and the importance of viewing nutrition as a source of energy rather than a path to weight loss. Em shares her journey from strict eating habits to enjoying diverse, nutritious meals. She emphasizes self-care, the significance of gut health, and practical tips for sustainable eating habits, while also addressing the emotional challenges surrounding food and the importance of support in overcoming them.
Emphasizing nutrition as a source of energy rather than a tool for weight loss fosters a healthier relationship with food and self-acceptance.
The podcast highlights the crucial link between dietary choices, mental health, and emotional well-being, advocating for personalized nutrition rather than strict diets.
Deep dives
Encouraging Independence in Body Image
The discussion emphasizes the importance of fostering independence in thoughts about personal body image, especially as the new year begins. Recognizing the struggles associated with gut health and wellness, the conversation critiques the overwhelming pressure to completely overhaul one’s diet and lifestyle as January unfolds. Instead of conforming to prevalent trends and unrealistic resolutions, a focus on self-acceptance and kindness toward oneself is encouraged. Emphasizing that everyone is flawed and navigating their own unique journey, the aim is to shift the narrative from guilt and restriction to compassion and self-care.
Navigating Conflicting Nutritional Advice
In the realm of health and wellness, the abundance of conflicting information creates confusion, particularly at the start of the year when many aim to improve their health. The health and wellness space is rife with extreme opinions, which causes individuals to feel overwhelmed when trying to begin their health journey. This leads to a cycle of attempting short-term, restrictive diets that often result in quick burnout and frustration. The discussion stresses that nutrition should be normalized as a part of daily life rather than associated with guilt, fear, or deprivation.
The Impact of Diet on Mood and Mental Health
The conversation highlights the significant connection between nutrition and mental health, advocating for a shift away from diet culture, especially during the January reset period. Rather than focusing solely on weight loss, attention is drawn to how dietary choices affect emotional and hormonal balance, and overall happiness. A specific study, known as the SMILES trial, is mentioned to underline how changes toward a Mediterranean diet positively impacted participants suffering from anxiety and depression. This revelation advocates for prioritizing nourishing foods that not only satisfy but also enhance overall well-being, reinforcing the idea that meals should bring joy and connection.
Individualized Approach to Gut Health
Gut health is presented as a critical consideration for overall wellness, particularly after seasonal indulgences. The discussion advises taking gradual steps to restore gut balance instead of overwhelming the system with sudden changes or excessive new foods. The role of stress management is also underlined, demonstrating the intimate link between mental and digestive health. Recognizing that everyone's gut is unique, a personalized approach to nutrition is encouraged, emphasizing that there is no one-size-fits-all solution, and trial and error is essential in discovering what best supports individual health.
Making better food choices isn’t about changing who you are, but about making you the most energetic, vibrant version of you. Emily English, aka Em the Nutritionist, talks through how food directly impacts mood.
In this chat Fearne and Em both share their experiences of having eating disorders. Was it more about weight and appearance or control and secrecy? They also offer advice for those trying to support a loved one who has a difficult relationship with food.
So, how has Em gone from weighing out spinach leaves to piling plates with delicious nutritious foods? Her mindset is all about adding energising foods and movement into your life rather than restricting or taking away joy!
Plus, Em explains that we’re all allowed to – and should – eat differently to each other (and to that person you follow online!), and they talk through how to build sustainable habits you’re actually going to be able to stick to.
Emily’s recipe book, So Good, is out now.
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