Self-Care: Eating Healthy Without the Stress

At the beginning of 2024 when I began my journey into the ultimate self-care process, I did a complete overhaul of my organs and blood system with a total body cleanse that included eating clean and vegan for 3 weeks. It was my first time eating straight vegan and I have to say, I didn’t hesitate. I just ended it and I feel BEYOND. So good! I was 5 months sober when I started it but I wanted to really get rid of all the toxins that might be lingering in my body that were or could have been left over and bringing me down. And I think there were plenty, to be honest. In eating clean and the foods they had me on during this process, it changed not only my intake, but my mindset of how I viewed food.

For 30 years, I have struggled with eating disorders. Both Anorexia and Bulimia. I am not ashamed of these as they are part of me, and who I am and how I view myself and how I fit into the world. I struggle still, because I didn’t truly get the help I needed. I still face this demon from time to time but now know how to deal with her (I have named her Anna). However, through this pathway of self-care and eating clean, I have the power in my own hands on how I can find my world healthier and more beneficial to me, where I feel better than ever. *I will write a mental health blog geared toward eating disorders and my experience at a later date and open up much more about this.

Eating clean and healthy is a huge benefit to your health. Even in just a few short weeks, the difference I have noticed how much lighter I feel (and I don’t just mean literally, I also mean mentally and figuratively), I feel cleaner, I feel more ready, and I feel like I am getting more meaningful sleep and casual rest. Now, does “eating clean” mean going Vegan if you have eaten meat your entire life? No. Eating clean means eating a more balanced diet, and what is called the Rainbow Plate. A full array of colors on your plate for a well balanced meal. So let’s look at options for healthy eating and why that’s considered self-care.

First, here are 8 tips for healthy eating.*
1. Base your meals on higher fiber starchy carbs
2. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables
3. Eat more fish, including a portion of oily fish
4. Cut down on saturated fats and sugar
5. Eat no more than 6g of salt a day (as an adult)
6. Get active and be a healthy weight (for your height and age)
7. Do not get thirsty
8. Do not skip breakfast

There is LOTS on the internet to back this up as well as information you can get that you can compile to your own needs and health concerns. I just found out I am personally allergic to eggs. I had been eating eggs and egg-based products my whole life, and although I know my body changes and my allergies and food sensitivities change over time, I had slowly been hurting myself by continuously eating things that were hurting me.

When we talk about self-care and nutrition, there are 5 things we can guide ourselves to and think about when it comes to our health, our food intake, and our mindset about our meals and snacks.

1. Listen to what your body needs and wants. Intuitive eating is finding your way back to crave (in a natural way) healthier foods – IF you are in tune and know what to feel and look for within yourself. Self-care through nutrition is giving your body both what it wants and needs.
2. Choose a variety of foods. This goes back to the Rainbow Plate of which I mentioned above. Bring diversity to your meals, snacks and even drinks (smoothies and water). Flavors, textures, nutrients and colors are all beneficial to your gut health, skin and hair health, and so much more. Eating a rainbow has lots of vitamins and nutrients you won’t find in pre-packaged foods. Be sure to add a color palette to your plates and drinks to incorporate those much needed vitamins and minerals in a beautiful way!
3. Eat regularly. What this helps is keeping your metabolism going and maintaining a healthy blood sugar level so you don’t experience any crashes throughout the day. Personally, I like to bring several snack baggies with me when I go into the office, mainly with my favorite apple slices, some protein cereal and perhaps some dried mangoes or mushrooms. That way I don’t fill up on a big lunch and feel “regretful” (that’s just something I personally experience, I am not saying you need to). Snacking on small healthy snacks helps me get through my day.
4. Add healthy fats. What are ‘healthy fats’? Specifically we are talking about polyunsaturated fats, omega-3 fatty acids. Say what? Yes. Salmon, tuna, olives, avocado, nuts are just a few to name. These are all easy to snack on throughout the day and are delicious and healthy. These also provide a huge benefit of vitamins, and have been seen to reduce blood pressure, depression and anxiety – among other health benefits.
5. Last, drink water. Our body is made up of mostly water, so this needs not be said, drink water. If you are thirsty, that means you are already dehydrated. One of my new favorite purchases (I’m probably late to the party) is my 64oz measured and timed water bottle. Ya know, the one that ‘encourages’ you by the little phrases on the side with each passing 2 hour marker? I love this thing. Anyway, water is hugely important and I feel like I can write a blog strictly dedicated to water. Water helps regulate our body temperature, rids our body of toxins, aids in digestion, helps with appetite regulation and boosts our overall mood. There are foods you can eat that are mostly water that can help with your water intake as well, such as watermelon, celery and an orange.

So let’s say you start eating healthy or clean, or simply follow a new plan that works for you and your lifestyle. That’s awesome! What does it mean for you in the long run? Great question. First, it will take some getting used to. Nothing worth doing right is easy. But stick to it for 7 days, no matter what, and it will become much easier after the first week. It’s a mindset. Meal prepping is a helpful way to start also! Get yourself a water bottle to help you drink more. Put fruit of your choice in to make it taste better. Switch it up each day!
What you will get out of it is a lower blood sugar count. Probable weight loss. Reduction of stress and anxiety as you begin to manage your diet and your drink/alcohol intake. I didn’t mention this but don’t forget: alcohol, specifically wine and beer have a lot of sugar, calories, and can lead to more weight gain than you realize. I’m not saying cut it completely out if you are NOT sober, but think about your lifestyle choices if you partake on the daily but want to experience that change. Alcohol plays a big part in weight gain, stress, depression and other health problems.
A healthy eating plan can also lower your risk for heart disease and other health conditions. It will also increase your energy level so you will feel more apt to exercising and moving/getting your body more active to increase your muscle mass and reduce your body fat.
Eating clean and healthy has a huge impact on your mental well being. For me when I started my own cleanse and path on this healthy eating journey, I had no idea that besides cleaning my organs and my inner body from toxins, I would get so much more. My mind feels free, I think because I feel better about myself. The stress of not feeling good about myself has lifted and I can work on keeping what I have achieved now. This is where I want to be and stay. I am happy. (I said that out loud the other day and I nearly fell out of my chair.)

I – AM – HAPPY.

Those three words have never been spoken out of my mouth before in a serious and meaningful manner. But I meant them. It had to do with my clear mindset and where I am and where I am going. It started with my intake and what I am putting out in the world now. So yeah, eating healthy and clean can do a lot.

The goal of these blogs is to set intentions and to manifest a beautiful and purposeful life! To find beauty in the ugliest of places and to find light in the darkest.
Come with me on this journey as we discover a pathway to healing, health, purpose and joy!
And remember: Don’t take life too seriously, no one gets out alive!