The Real Reason You Might Struggle with Nutrition

Howdy friend!

Ever wondered why so many people fail to stick to healthy eating habits? 

It’s not about knowing which foods are “good” or “bad” (foods don’t inherently have moral value, by the way). It’s not about lacking the desire to get healthier. The real issue often lies in having the wrong nutrition mindset.

People start with good intentions but give up after a week or two because it’s tough.

Sound familiar? 

Here’s why mindset is crucial in nutrition.

Sticking to a healthy habit is hard if you lack the skill of resilience. Your mind gives up when healthy eating becomes inconvenient or requires effort. 

Picture this: after a long day at work, you’re exhausted and hungry. Instead of cooking the healthy meal you planned, you toss a frozen pizza in the oven. Then comes the guilt and shame as you down each savory, yet sweet bite of your Hawaiian pizza, leading you to think you’re bad at change and can’t stick with any healthy habits.

This all-or-nothing thinking is a common roadblock that I see in the folks I support through nutrition and mental wellness coaching here at The Fulfilled Fork. 

I want you to know that messing up once doesn’t mean it’s game over, but believing that it does shows you where your nutrition mindset is fixed. 

Wanting to lose the weight you gained from years of chronic stress and emotional eating also isn’t enough to kickstart healthier habits. True commitment to yourself and your health means finding ways to make healthy choices even when it's hard. Maybe it's adding veggies to that pizza or mindfully deciding to eat it without guilt (yes, eating frozen pizza isn’t “bad”).

This is resilience in action.

It’s the mindset and intention behind the action of eating the pizza that matters most.

Often, the problem is not being aware of your habits and thoughts. And, this very lack of awareness fuels your feelings of shame and guilt.

A fixed mindset clings to old habits and beliefs because "that’s how it’s always been." This mindset prevents you from developing resilience and truly committing to healthy eating.

A growth mindset, open to new ways of thinking and living, is essential for resilience and commitment. Without it, you’ll remain stuck while others grow and adopt new habits with ease.