Heal your relationship with food and rediscover the pleasure of eating!
We all know diets or weight loss programs don’t work; but why? One reason is because they focus on weight loss, mainly through calorie restriction, and we know the human body is programmed to fight against calorie restriction. To actively lose weight, you need to reduce your energy intake by an amount that tips your body into starvation mode. Our bodies are carefully designed to survive famine, once the body goes into starvation (or famine) mode, varies physiological mechanisms kick into place to make this difficult and eventually cause weight loss to plateaux, before eventually the regain occurs. If you find it difficult to lose weight and keep it off through dieting or food restriction, then you are a successful human. You simply can’t force the body into permanent weight loss.
This does not mean you can’t achieve a healthier body, it just means dieting or restricting calories is not the way to go. There is no one solution (silver bullet) to improving your health or feeling good about your body. Most diets, or current popular food trends, focus on a one size fits all model; “Do this and you’ll obtain the body you want”. But you are unique and your body shape and size is different to others, therefore what may work for others, may not be suitable for you. The other key fact to remember, is that while a particular diet might appear to “work” in that people lose weight, nearly everyone of these people will regain the weight within 5 years. This is a well documented fact (research).
People have been dieting in the masses for well over 60 years, yet less than 5% of dieters have managed to keep the weight off long-term and most are now heavier and unhappier. If you are an experienced dieter, this will most likely resonate with you.
When it come to being healthy and contented in our bodies, experience and research has shown us the importance of taking the focus off weight loss, placing less emphasis on appearance and instead, learning how to be less judgemental of our body. With the author’s permission, I have the copied the below paragraph from her wonderful book, Bodies. Bodies is written by Susie Orbach, a British psychotherapist, psychoanalyst and acclaimed writer.
“A good 2,000 to 5,000 times a week, we receive images of bodies enhanced by digital manipulation. These images convey an idea of a body which does not exist in the real world. The photo shoots which produce the raw pictures of the models are carefully lit to exaggerate features prized today and then further perfected by being Photoshopped, airbrushed and stretched.”
If you are fed up with the dieting world or being unhappy with your body, a Non-Diet Approach can offer you relief from the preoccupation with food and your body. Our accredited practising dietitians and nutritionists use the Non-Diet Approach to help you ditch the diet mentality and start to feel better about yourself without focusing on weight loss.
The reason we take the focus off weight loss, is because weight is not a behaviour and you can only directly influence your behaviour. This approach considers what behaviours you may need to address in order to take better care of your body. We show you how to reconnect with your appetite, address any non-hungry or over-eating and how to find enjoyment in eating to not only nourish your body, but also for the simple pleasure of eating.
Our dietitians will help you get more out of life through a healthy enjoyment of all food, healing your relationship with food and your body, and teaching you the skills to do all of this within the context of your busy family, work and social life.
What is a healthy relationship with food?
A healthy relationship with food is one where you don’t constantly worry about what you should or shouldn’t be eating, there is no guilt attached to eating and you allow yourself to eat food that you truly enjoy.
What is a healthy relationship with your body?
Having a healthy relationship with your body means you appreciated and respect your body for all the amazing things it is capable of doing, rather than just being concerned with how it looks. You may have parts of your body that you’re not happy with, which in today’s world is very normal, but you don’t let this over-ride all the other positive aspects of you as a person and what your body can do.
Here are some of the differences between the traditional diet approach, or diet mentality, and the non-diet approach. Table adapted from “Eat what you love, love what you eat” by Michelle May MD.
| Diet Mentality | Non-Diet Approach |
| External rules | Internal cues |
| Rigid | Flexible |
| Deprived | Satisfied |
| Guilt | Pleasure |
| Fear | Trust |
| Preoccupied | Empowered |
| Weight Loss | Nourishment |
| Shame | Compassion |
| Judgment | Acceptance |
| Oppressed | Freedom |
| In Control | In Charge |
Make an appointment today by calling us directly on 0419 585 415 or through the booking page.
In this e-book, Accredited Practising Dietitian & Nutritionist, and co-founder of The Moderation Movement, Zoe Nicholson, explains why diets don’t work, that there are no “bad” foods, and offers practical tips to help you begin your Intuitive Eating journey. Click the banner to purchase your copy today!
Our mission
“To help you stop dieting, help you rediscover the pleasure in eating and to nurture
a healthy relationship with food and your body”
