Why I don’t promote “Clean Eating” as a Naturopath
The term "clean eating" has gained significant popularity in recent years, with many individuals adopting it as a means to improve their health and achieve an idealized body. However, beneath its seemingly positive facade, "clean eating" is nothing more than recycled rhetoric from diet culture and a marketing ploy that is perpetuating a disordered relationship with food.
The concept of "clean eating" implies that certain foods are inherently virtuous and should be consumed, while others are deemed impure and should be avoided. This dichotomy reinforces a moralistic approach to food, promoting feelings of guilt and shame when deviating from the prescribed eating plan. By assigning labels of "clean" and "dirty" to foods, individuals may develop an unhealthy preoccupation with their choices, leading to anxiety, obsession, and even the development of disordered eating patterns.
The diet industry has capitalized on our society's self-hatred and dissatisfaction with our bodies. By marketing "clean eating" as a solution to weight loss and improved well-being, they profit from our insecurities. This perpetuates a cycle where individuals are constantly seeking the next diet trend or "clean eating" plan, investing their time, money, and emotional energy into an unattainable ideal.
It is important to recognize that health is not synonymous with restriction or elimination of food groups. True well-being involves nourishing our bodies with a balanced and varied diet that includes foods we enjoy, without guilt or shame. By rejecting the rhetoric of "clean eating" and embracing a more compassionate and intuitive approach to food, we can break free from the clutches of diet culture and foster a healthier, more sustainable relationship with our bodies and nourishment. Through the process of re-sensitizing ourselves to what is in service of our highest health, we are able to better listen to the body and make choices that nourish us holistically most of the time.
When we rebuild our health from the ground up - our needs and tastes gradually shift and we start to understand that whole real foods are necessary most of the time in order to keep our bodies running at peak performance. This can be a natural gradual and gentle process, and doesn’t require us to shame ourselves for still wanting to enjoy life. I also have clients whose health is in sure a dire state that we do make the decision together to eliminate certain foods entirely. Sometimes for a time, and sometimes permanently. There is room for lots of nuance. Each situation is unique and should be treated as such. This is a partnership between client and practitioner where the client takes an active role in their healing.
As a naturopathic practitioner, I wholeheartedly embrace the principles of intuitive eating in my practice. I believe that each person possesses a unique bio individuality, and their relationship with food should reflect that. By honoring their body's cues, preferences, and nutritional needs, individuals can develop a harmonious and joyful connection with food. Intuitive eating empowers individuals to reject the restrictive rules of "clean eating" and instead prioritize self-love and self-care. I encourage my clients to view food preparation as a radical act of self-love, where they can mindfully select ingredients, experiment with flavors, and nourish their bodies with wholesome and delicious meals. By cultivating a positive and loving relatioship with food, we can reclaim our autonomy, embrace our bodies, and rediscover the true pleasure and joy that comes from nourishing ourselves.
