How to build a better relationship with food, without the stress of restrictive eating. Nutritionist Stephanie Polson explains. 

Health, wealth, relationships, career etcetera are all pillars of life that are prioritised differently depending on what you value. Wealth may be chased in younger years and it is not until a health problem arises that one better protects their health through various means. 

Nutrition is an essential tool in the health toolkit that is often overlooked, with many thinking they ‘eat pretty well most of the time’ when in fact, the New Zealand Health Survey results suggest otherwise. A challenge lies in building a diet that is actually health promoting, and then maintaining it as part of the modern world we live in. 

Plant foods give our body nearly everything it needs. So, if we simplify it right down – we should be eating plants, then a little bit of animal protein. Let’s get in the real world though, many love animal foods. New Zealand as a nation prides itself on dairy and meat, so for most, meals are planned around an animal protein. 

What if you were to plan your diet around plants? Changing the focus from meat, refined grains and the odd veggie, to a plate pumped up with legumes, wholegrains and veggies with a side of meat, if desired.

Fuelling your body with a plant-rich diet may be the answer to the following questions you’ve been asking yourself: How can you tackle some of your health problems and prevent others? How can you achieve more consistent energy throughout your days? 

To get you started, here are three points on building a health-promoting diet:

1. You have some new friends to get to know, as well as some old friends that you need to get to know in a different way. They are ‘The Crucial 6’ – Legumes, Grains, Fruit, Vegetables, Nuts and Seeds. 

2. There is an unfair advantage that exists as you start to eat a diet richer in plants that you must understand. Raising your plant food intake coincides with an increase in food volume. This is how the stress of restrictive eating that so often coincides with ‘dieting’ can disappear. It would take about 50 cups of broccoli for you to eat your entire daily calories whereas it would take 4.5 cups of beef mince or 1 cup of butter. 

3. A ‘journey’ mindset as you undergo any transition is critical. Setbacks are not setbacks, they are simply part of the journey. Remember, imperfect action is better than zero action.

Transitioning to a diet richer in plants is one of the best things you can do for your health. Like most good things, there is an art to the transition. Don’t be fooled into thinking plant-based food products like vegan mayonnaise and biscuits are the answer. The health you desire and deserve is waiting around the corner for you, it is now all about your transition.•