I’m a dietitian.

I learned about macronutrients, micronutrients, vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients, and adaptogens.

I know fluid needs, energy expenditures, body mass indexes, and ideal body weights. I know effective weight loss strategies, each and every diet, and how needs change over time.

I’ve written articles for wellness site after site, explaining just how to manipulate your food to get what you want out of life.

But here is the thing:

I’m over that bull-og-na. And I’m sorry to you—so sorry—that I was part of the system touting that culture in the first place.

Slippery slopes are a thing, eh?

Here’s what I need to say—a karmic cleanse of sorts:

Food manipulation does not equal life manipulation.

Eating differently won’t make you happy. It won’t bring love. It won’t bring accomplishment, or pride, or esteem, or approval. Eating differently will not create zest for, and appreciation of, the gift of life. In fact, it’s the exact opposite.

Don’t get me wrong—I love being a dietitian. I love being a dietitian because sometimes you need to know enough to know how to let it all go.

And so, here I am, a dietitian pleading with you:

Please—let it all go.

Let go of the assignments of what you should and should not eat.

Let go of the cabinets of supplements and powdered super nutrients.

Let go of the “start tomorrows” and “will work it off later todays.”

Let go of the “I deserve this” and also the “I shouldn’t have.”

Let go of the part of your life energy spent on manipulating food

The life energy that, if not funneled here, would go—where?

To re-recreating your zest for life.

Maybe you’d plant a garden, to grow your own vibrant food from seed.

Maybe you’d plan a meal for yourself and loved ones, to feel what it’s like to feed yourself and others food that makes your mouth water.

Maybe you’d find better sleep, to help yourself require less caffeine and sugar.

Maybe you take a walk, because it feels so good to move, and breathe real air.

Maybe you’d stretch for the sheer joy of it, and not even call it yoga.

Maybe you’d nibble chocolate when that feels like love, and salad greens when that feels like life, and maybe those really are both exactly perfect.

The point is not to binge on junk food—the point is to be so in love with your life, the experience of living, that you want to feed yourself what nourishes you.

So focus on this—the loving life part. Magnetism toward living life fully will create magnetism for healthy nourishment, and I don’t mean bird food. Not all people can subsist on this, and that is not what all people need to be healthy. Just life-giving food. If you’re feeling connected to life and her energy, you’ll know what’s life-giving and what’s not. Usually something seasonal, wholesome, unrefined-ish. Feed yourself that. But only once you’ve refound your fervor.

Focus on your zest for life, and intuition about how and where and when to eat will come naturally to you.

It just will.

Trust, and ignore all the other BS out there.

Love,

Arguably the worst dietitian this side of the Rockies.

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