Jessica

As a registered dietitian who moonlights as a writer and podcast host, I constantly come across people’s ideas of what healthy eating is and is not. These “definitions” are usually rigid and don’t leave much room for exploring the complexities of food. Never have pasta. Be a kale-eating machine. Always drink the same amount of water every day (make sure it’s a ton, or else). And so on. Such strict interpretations of healthy eating don’t take into account individual circumstances and preferences. They oversimplify food as something that’s purely nutritional. And they neglect how important pure joy can be when it comes to the way we eat.

Food can be an incredible way to not only create joy, but also cultivate joyful connections with other people. What are some of your greatest memories while enjoying a good meal? Who did you share these moments with? As I’m writing this, I’m thinking about a special meal I had with a close friend a few years back while exploring this tiny cobblestone street in Madrid in the wee hours of the night. We started off with olives and goat cheese, local wine, and then progressed into a truffle cheese ravioli, the best arugula salad (ever), and grilled whole fish. I can still remember our table at the very front of the narrow restaurant, right across from the bar; the dim lights; my friend’s face filled with laughter as we cracked jokes about how incredibly romantic this entire setup was, and how lucky we were to be sharing it with one another. At one point, the chef came out to check on us, and that added another sprinkle of special to the whole night. These are the moments I live for and that bring me the most joy. And although it may seem counterintuitive, these moments are also part of healthy eating. Joy and connection to others are both great for our health

Unfortunately, so many things can sap joy from how we experience food. Through counseling hundreds of people, I’ve seen firsthand the way food-related stress can rob us of the excitement, gratitude, fulfillment, and spirit of curiosity the act of eating can otherwise provide. I’ve worked with families that place an enormous amount of pressure on children during mealtimes in the form of “eat this,” “eat more,” “eat less,” or “eat now,” all of which can create a pattern of disordered eating that can take years to work through. I’ve seen a lot of adults, especially adults with larger bodies or who have recently gained weight, receive constant food policing and questioning from others and often from themselves. These types of dynamics are such a shame because tapping into joy during mealtime can help us feed not just our bodies, but our hearts as well.

You may be thinking, Okay, this sounds good, but what does joyful connection actually look like during mealtimes? Great question.

Head on over to SELF to read the full article! Joyful Connection Is Part of Healthy Eating Too

During the holiday season, it seems like conversations about weight, body image, and food happen more than ever. You have your cousin talking about her latest diet or your brother commenting on how much quarantine weight he’s gained. In the past, I’ve been at family gatherings where all conversations revolve around diet talk. It gets tricky because it’s one thing if someone is commenting on your body or food choices—that can be rude and invasive, even when it’s well-meaning, and there are ways to deal. But what do you do when a loved one’s comments about their own eating or body are triggering you?

Diet talk includes any conversation around restricting certain foods or exercising to lose weight and/or change your body shape. It can take the form of discussions about actual diet programs, like Whole30, keto, paleo, and more, but it can also be more subtle, like someone saying they were “so bad” for eating pizza earlier. If you’re like me and find these conversations super annoying and upsetting (but don’t want to flip out at the dinner table) here are some tactics that may help. 

Head on over to SELF to read the full article! 5 Ways to Deal If Other People’s Food and Body Talk Triggers You

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by ALDI. Thank you for supporting the work we’re doing at Food Heaven!

Raise your hand if the holidays are looking different in your household this year? *Hand goes up*

I’ve actually been pretty bummed that I’m not going to be able to celebrate with most of my family in person. Just last year, I was having a Michael Jackson dance off with my 13-old-nephew. Now, Ihaven’t seen my family in person for MONTHS.

Since this is the first time we’ve been physically apart for the holidays, we’re going to have to get creative. The good news is, that while the holidays may be different this year, that doesn’t mean that
the season can’t be festive.

Last week I filmed a TV segment with ALDI showcasing how they have all of the holiday essentials you love, including gourmet cheeses, seasonal beverages and tasty treats. Plus, you’ll be able to stretch your budget and shop safely at ALDI (either online, in person, or with their newly expanded curbside pickup)

Looking for festive DIY gifting ideas, here are a few:

• Wine with a wow factor: Purchase a bottle of ALDI-exclusive wine, wrap it in cellophane and tie with festive red ribbon.
• Cookie platter: Purchase a variety of seasonal and core cookies to create a festive platter. OR host a holiday cookie decorating party on zoom (BRILLIANT)
• Hot cocoa cups: Create a gift basket with all the necessary ingredients to make homemade hot chocolate 
• Date night in: Gather all ingredients you need to make your favorite at-home feast and gift it to a friend. 
• Homemade dog treats: Use pantry and seasonal ingredients to create dog treats for your furry friends

I’m curious, will you be spending the holidays with your extended family and/or friends this year? Or are you limiting it to your household? If you are limiting your holidays to your household, let us know how you plan to make it festive. 

Whatever you decide, try ALDI and share your experience using the hashtag #ALDIove. Locate the ALDI store closest to you here.