Tell Me What to Eat

Everyday I am told by patients: 'tell me what to eat and what not to eat'.  If only eating healthy were that easy.  I'd love to tell all of my patients what to eat.  However, this honestly isn't in the best interest of my patients or me.  (plus, most people wouldn't love the foods that I tell them to eat). 

Why?  For one, the more people are told what to do, the more they push back and don't do it.  I've found that even if I succomb and give someone a 'meal plan', they usually can't follow it.  It's not because it's not specific enough, but usually it's because there are other driving forces behind the foods we choose. 

The way that I work is by coaching patients to find the answers themself.  By asking questions about their motivation level and confidence, I can choose the best way to help them. 

I don't see my job as having to tell people what to do.  This doesn't mean that I don't have to educate people about healthy eating...that's all part of this.  However, my job is to help motivate people to change their eating habits and find out what's beneath their food choices.

Eating healthy takes lots of work.  Little changes at a time will go a long way to a healthy life.