A letter in support of supporting you, each and every day!
We know from research that nurturing oneself and experiencing love with another reduces stress and prevents health issues.
We also know from research that balancing blood sugar levels by feedings ourselves every 2 to 4 hours throughout the day reduces symptoms (fatigue, anxiety, headaches, and more) as well as major health conditions (diabetes, cancer, and heart disease.
So why don’t we do it?
When I posted in Facebook asking “what stops you from feeding yourself every 2 to 4 hours” this is what I heard:
- Busy working
- Not having food with me
- Running out of time
- Traveling
- So many things to do
What can we do to change that?
I’m hoping this might be helpful. Here are three questions that a patient asked me as she works on the goal of feeding herself – gluten and dairy free foods – every 2 to 4 hours, plus my responses.
“I’ve noticed that the weekends are the worst for me, especially when I am out all day doing errands, or at an outing. Any recommendations? I don’t know if carrying a huge tote of food would be appealing for me. LOL.”
Make a plan to stop during the day at a place to eat that you know has food you can choose – Ella and I like to go to Whole Foods for dinner. PF Changs has a GF menu too. Make it a chance to try out GF places. : ) Also always have a few snacks with you. When I come to Manhattan, I bring a small bag with things I can eat – I have a turkey sausage within an hour leaving, then have smaller snacks while seeing patients (nuts, protein bar, kale chips) and after seeing patients I have a salad with chicken (for example). For more tips on where to eat on the go, click here.
“I am doing well on the diet, but have had a few slip ups. Going to get back on track tomorrow. PMS is honestly the worst killer for straying from the diet. Any recommendations for that?”
That is great that you are learning about when you need more support. Let’s support you with PMS, which will help with the food cravings. It can also help to anticipate needing to have “treats” available that are gluten and dairy free. I like the new WINK vegan ice treat – can find at Whole Foods – and if you crave salty, try a few salted sunflower seeds. : ) For my favorite chocolates, click here.
“I’d like to keep some grab and go protein snacks in my car and in my desk at work for those times when I am in a pinch and need a quick grab and go snack. What is your opinion on the following snacks…… dried beans, such as garbanzo beans, edamame and seeds such as pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, flax, chia, hemp??”
Love those ideas. For some people beans aggravate digestive issues, so be careful. Other possible snacks are kale chips, almonds/cashews with dried cranberries, a few olives, or a piece of turkey bacon that you cooked earlier. Melissa in my office likes to dip GF crackers in a travel-size hummus container. Celeste, my physical therapist, dips almonds in travel-size peanut butter. Here is a list of some of my favorite grab and go foods.
There are many ways to nurture yourself.
One favorite is with food! And somehow that option has gotten a negative view. I’d like to change that perspective – with your help!
Please do share what has helped you to view food and eating as nurturing, and to make sure you have food available every 2 to 4 hours.
Wellness to you!
Dr. Doni
DONIELLE WILSON, ND is a natural health expert and Naturopathic Doctor with a private practice in New York City, Port Jefferson, NY, and Connecticut. She specializes in showing women, men and children how to achieve their wellness goals by finally getting the answers they’ve been looking for to their most perplexing health challenges. To learn more about Dr. Doni and her unique approach to achieving health naturally, please visit Dr. Doni today.