Links + Thoughts
Another edition of things I've read and thoughts I've had that you might enjoy reading about, too
Links:
I’ve read pieces coming from multiple angles on the “commenting on famous women’s bodies” debate and I find myself stuck in the middle. Yes, comments of any kind on any person’s body are unkind and unhelpful. I also feel like ignoring the reality that we glorify thinness to a degree that is unhealthy for most people needs to be called out for people’s wellbeing. I felt like this piece did a good job of calling out fatphobia without making assumptions about the people they’re discussing.
Can we all agree that love letters to food are good for the soul?
I know I’m a broken record when it comes to our obsession with living forever, but the thing I want to point out in this (older) article is that we really don’t talk about environment enough. Yes, we have some control over our health outcomes, and they list those behaviors that can be helpful (not drinking too much alcohol, exercising regularly, eating enough food, having variety in food intake, etc). They also acknowledge that even with the best choices, our genetics are going to do their thing. They even put environment in there but almost made that seem like a choice we make instead of a factor that isn’t changeable for everyone. The reality is that being discriminated against, not having access to well-stocked grocery stores, unsafe parks or sidewalks, and more all can make a huge difference in our health status long-term. I consider these things more along the line of genetics than choices - many of us don’t choose where we grow up and might stay close to family and friends rather than move away. Our jobs can impact where we have to live. Basically, it really irks me when we don’t acknowledge the deep and profound impacts of the social determinants of health.
As we endure a cultural fight to take us backward, I find writing like this helpful in knowing and appreciating my power as a woman. We’ve been here since the beginning and not just to look pretty and procreate.
A really cool opportunity to do a workout AND make the world a better place from
!!Content Warning for specific eating disorder behaviors and numbers, but I wanted to share this perspective on one person’s journey in recovery. These are the types of stories I hear often, but I want to point out a couple things in case there are people reading this who feel similarly to this writer.
If someone declares you “in recovery” because your weight is doing what they want it to do, run. ESPECIALLY if that weight is based on something arbitrary like an 18.5 BMI or a similar non-individualized approach. Weight is an important physical symptom of the behaviors, but it is not the only (or best) measure of recovery.
I do fully, truly believe that recovery is possible. We will all sadly continue to live under the rule of diet culture which can bring up some disordered thoughts in our heads or bring a moment of glamorizing the possibility of losing “just a couple pounds”, but if you are still using exercise to cope or prevent body changes, are rigid in food choices, can’t look in the mirror, or feel the need to measure your food I really want you to consider staying in treatment. Find a dietitian and therapist who don’t subtly normalize disordered thoughts, feelings, and actions.
There’s never a point where it is “too late” for full recovery. Staying in a place of mostly recovered or partly recovered doesn’t have to be enough. You deserve the real deal - it takes time and it’s really difficult, but I believe in you!
If you are seeing these things in a person you care about, here is a guide on being a support person.
Thoughts:
Currently loving an easy lunch/dinner of “dim sum” at home - an array of bao, dumplings, gyoza, fried tofu with some yummy dips on the side. (I’ve been on an Asian kick recently?? Like it’s all I want to eat/make? I can’t explain it, but it’s been fun!)
Siracha mayo is obviously super easy, but a hack I love is using the old siracha container to add my desired ratio of mayo once I’ve used a good bit of the siracha. Then you just shake it up and have a perfect Siracha Mayo bottle. I haven’t gone to the effort of comparing prices, but I really doubt it is the better financial choice to buy pre-mixed siracha mayo. And I was raised to use as few bowls as humanly possible - I got in trouble if I used a colander to drain pasta (hey mom!)
Gyoza/dumpling sauce: 1 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tsp rice vinegar, 2 tsp chili crisp, 1/2 tsp sugar, 1 tsp fish sauce (or you can find vegan fish sauce alternatives at some Asian grocers!)
My dog, Barry, turned 8 on Friday!! We always celebrate the dogs’ birthdays with a special meal and an activity. Barry was celebrated with some polenta, chicken, and veggies for dinner and a local hike over the weekend. Here’s some pictures of the sweet boy for your enjoyment.
I want to share a little bit about why I’m so excited to start offering meal support via my Substack in April.
Meal support and groups were two aspects of my early work as a dietitian in treatment centers - and I LOVED doing both, but particularly meals. There is something really special about coming together, eating food, and unlearning the crappy things we grew up believing about ourselves and food. Talking about it without food is great too but sharing food with others while actively challenging our negative food beliefs is pretty freaking cool.
I really want this space to feel like a community and an opportunity to be supported and challenged. There are so many of us who can’t afford or maybe don’t even need 1:1 support but desire a place to be seen and heard as we work through this difficult journey of learning to love ourselves and food. It makes me really happy to be able to offer one of the more affordable ways to get support for disordered eating/quitting the dieting cycle or an eating disorder.
This is a space for us to go deeper into some of the concepts I write about here on The Full Life. As much as I love writing, I think we can find more nuance and individuality in the message when it is through conversation. I want to have an opportunity to clarify recommendations and answer questions that might come up when you’re reading.
A reminder to send me your questions that you’d like addressed in the first "Getting Full” session on April 9th at 9am CT. You can send them to my email at gretchen@full-lifenutrition.com or via this link.
Happy Monday, everyone! Take care of yourselves. Eat yummy food. You deserve all the good things.
Gretchen
Thank you, Gretchen! Happy birthday, Barry!! 😍😍😍😍