Body and health: Our Registered Dietitian Explains Her Definition of Healthy

srijeda, 8. siječnja 2020.

Our Registered Dietitian Explains Her Definition of Healthy

Healthy 2020 Visions: Challenging Your Definition of Healthy

Rachel Berman, RD, General Manager Verywell

As a registered dietitian, people always think my diet must be "perfect." They think I judge them for the choices they make for dinner and that what I feed myself and my 18-month-old son must always be extremely healthy. While everyone's definition is different, to many people "healthy" means lots of veggies and no sweets.

But the truth is, my definition of healthy absolutely includes sweets. It includes enjoying all types of food and not feeling guilty about it. And of course, being realistic with what a toddler boy will eat (which involves a lot of crackers and French fries).

Especially this time of year, being so extreme with your definition of healthy can backfire. It can cause you to set unrealistic goals that are not achievable, setting up a cycle of feelings of failure, and "giving up."

So focus on making progress, not on an idea of "perfection," whatever that means. Acknowledge the smaller steps you take, whenever you feel prepared to take them (not just early January). And if you give yourself permission to take a break, you will never fully fail. You can just reassess and move forward in a brand new way.

Here are a few of my personal goals keeping the above in mind:

	1.	Stop saying "sorry" so much. Instead, say "thank you" to others for helping out with things like child care.
	2.	Meditate for five minutes every day—either in the morning or night.
	3.	Stop eating lunch at my desk every day. Instead, go out or eat in the common area of the office at least once per week.