BODY IMAGE: WHAT EXACTLY IS IT AND HOW TO NAVIGATE WHAT IS NOT A “YOU” PROBLEM

Posted on by Laura Geraty – By

To be human is to experience body image. Body image is the thoughts and feelings we have about our bodies. Although it can sometimes feel like it, we aren’t born with these thoughts and feelings. They are taught to us in both subtle and overt ways overtime. In an image-obsessed, fat-fearing culture, struggling with negative body image is the norm. When negative body image drives behavior, it can get in the way of us responding to what our actual bodies need and result in both psychical and psychological suffering.

In this post, I’ll discuss the origins of our body images, the universality of body image challenges, and strategies for self-care in a world that has taught us to fear, and oftentimes even hate, our bodies.

Ultimately, what I want you to walk away knowing is that body image is not a “you” problem. That means you alone may not be able to “fix” it. Until we tear down our current culture and replace it with one that celebrates body diversity, the best we can do is understand why we struggle with body image, hold ourselves softly when negative thoughts arise, and then actively choose to care for ourselves based on what our actual bodies need. This form of embodiment is a salve rather than a solution but practicing it is a form of resistance that can feel revolutionary.

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THE RESTRICT-BINGE CYCLE

Posted on by Laura Geraty – By

Let’s talk about the restrict-binge cycle.

If there was one nutrition concept that I wish all people understood, it would be…

Restriction leads to binging.

If that doesn’t resonate, try any of these on for size…

  • Dieting leads to loss of control eating.
  • The more we ignore our hunger, the greater the chances we’ll eat past the point of comfort later on.
  • The more rules we place around what, when and how much we are going to eat, the more likely we’ll break those rules.
  • When we don’t eat enough, our bodies drives us towards food.

These are all variations of the restrict-binge cycle.

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EAT CARBS FOR GOODNESS SAKES

Posted on by Laura Geraty – By

Are carbs healthy? What foods have them? How can I eat carbs in a way that makes me feel good?

Eat Carbs_Photo 1

If there is one common denominator between nearly every new client I work with, it is a fear of carbohydrates. Most people are trying their best to minimize this macronutrient in their diet, either by cutting it out entirely, limiting it to specific meals, or downplaying it to the greatest extent possible throughout the day. When they do eat carbs, they express guilt explicitly or implicitly.

This is understandable given our cultural narrative which has demonized carbs for the last two decades. This narrative has been fuels by countless diets like Atkins, Paleo, and Keto.

So, what’s the deal? Should we be concerned about carbohydrates? When measured alongside its buddies, fat and protein, is it the least essential macronutrient?

Let me answer right up front that my response is an emphatic NO. All three macronutrients – carbohydrates, fat and protein – are equally essential. When we prioritize one (or two) over the others, our nutrition begins to get…funky.

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HEALTH AS CULTURAL CAPITAL KEEPS US SMALL

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women banning together to explode concept of health as cultural capital

Get ready…this dietitian is a (proud) feminist. We need to explode the idea of “health” having cultural capital. Let me elaborate.

In my work I know acutely that challenging feelings about one’s body are not the exclusive experience of any gender identity. And yet, impossible societal standards for women’s bodies are especially suffocating. 

Explicitly and implicitly, our culture teaches women that beauty is our commodity. In the 21st century “health” has become a code word for beauty and both are defined by thinness. Beauty sounds superficial; “health” does not.

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JUNE 15 VIRTUAL COOKING CLASS

Posted on by Laura Geraty – By

My next Zoom cooking class will be Wednesday, June 15 from 4-5pm ET. Cooks of all skill levels are welcome and our menu is vegetarian-friendly (though this time not vegan). $40 per Zoomer. 

The class will be short and sweet but leave you with a delicious dinner to enjoy with family or friends that night *and* an extra meal to stick in your freezer for the coming weeks/months. 

*MENU*

Now or Later Turkey (or Lentil) Meatballs

Roasted Tomato and Corn Pasta with Arugula and Ricotta

Pasta and meatballs…. what’s not to love? 

This is one of those menus that I find myself making on repeat. It comes together quickly, tastes as good room temperature (or cold from the fridge) as it does hot, is enjoyed by toddlers and adults alike, and leaves me with plenty of lunchbox leftovers and even a second meal in the freezer.

The Roasted Tomato and Corn Pasta with Arugula and Ricotta is summer in a bowl. It is made with the pasta:veg ratio I love, which is about 50:50. That way it serves double duty as the meal’s “salad.” You can toss the noodles with the ricotta so they are all equally coated with the milky cheese or leave it like I do with big, billowy pockets. The dish is so hearty that I oftentimes serve it as dinner all on its own. 

But I want to make meatballs with you, so let’s do that! In my opinion, meatballs are an essential recipe that everyone should have memorized. If you have a basic template (which I of course will be giving you) you can make endless variations to suit your tastes. The turkey (or lentil) meatballs we’re making are a basic Italian-style ball flavored with garlic, more ricotta, salty parmesan cheese and tomato paste. We’ll prepare some to serve with the pasta and freeze leftovers in your favorite jarred sauce. In my opinion, meatball recipes should always be doubled. It’s far less than twice the work, they freeze like a dream and it feels so good knowing you have them on hand when you could use the short cut later on.

Register for the class here. I will approve your registration, and send you an invoice and more information about the class including a grocery list, our recipes and answers to common questions. If you can’t make it live, the recording will be made available to all registrants after the class. If you miss this entirely or catch this post after the fact, send me a message directly and I’ll get everything to you.

HOPE I SEE YOU THERE!

xx