Are You Practicing Self-Care Eating?
What is self-care eating?
Self-care means taking care of YOU! Eating foods that nourish your body is an important form of self-care.
Self-care is one of the six strategic building blocks for better results on The Unjury® Cares Bariatric Success Pyramid.
Practicing self-care eating means making thoughtful choices about the foods that you put into your body.
The food that you choose should provide energy and the nutrition that you need to manage your weight and stay healthy for the long-term. That includes protein, vitamins, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats.
To practice self-care eating, ask yourself these six questions when you are in the grocery store, planning your meals for the week, or sitting down to eat:
- Am I eating to fuel my body? Food is energy. If you are choosing food for other reasons, try writing in a food journal to better understand those choices.
- Am I including the right amount of protein? Bariatric patients need protein first. 30-30-30; that is 30 grams of protein, 3 times each day to help you maintain muscle and a healthy metabolism.
- Am I including fresh fruits and vegetables? Fruits and vegetables provide important micronutrients, as well as fiber.
- Am I meeting my hydration goals? 64 ounces of sugar-free fluids each day help you maintain regularity, lubricate joints, avoid headaches, and regulate temperature.
- Am I eating at mealtimes? An eating schedule helps you avoid mindless snacking and impulsive or emotional eating, and it helps keep calorie intake in check.
- Am I focused on the meal or distracted by something else? Eat in your eating place. Avoid eating in the car, in front of the TV, or in your relaxing place.
You can practice saying this self-care affirmation when you choose nutritious meals.
“I deserve to eat this healthy food, because I am worth it!”
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