The Positive Nutrition Philosophy
Laura Cipullo’s Lifestyle approach, Positive Nutrition, is based on five pillars described in the best selling book, Women’s Health Body Clock Diet (Rodale, 2015).
Eating is not about deprivation; rather eating all foods consistent with the needs of your mind, body and spirit. Laura’s approach redefines the word ‘diet’ to its original meaning found in Webster’s Dictionary, “habitual nourishment.” These “Five Pillars to Positive Nutrition” are meant to support you on your journey to ‘wholistic’ health and improved self-esteem.
The 5 Pillars Of Positive Nutrition
Change your “Fooditude” towards food and body
01
Pillar 01
Adopt an "all foods fit" philosophy
The All Foods Fit philosophy is your escape from the dieting roller coaster. Food science is constantly contradicting itself. Eat lots of different foods in moderation and be mindful of the types of food that keeps you satiated and satisfied. All Foods Fit means no crazy restrictions on deliciousness as long as you’re eating mindfully.
02
Pillar 02
Use Neutral food language
Clean eating is the latest trend, but I have a problem with the phrase. If you ask me, food isn’t clean or dirty — and really, isn’t clean or dirty just another way to say good or bad? Once you label food as bad it leads to guilt. Remember food is just food and doesn’t deserve value judgments. It all nourishes us one way or the other. Change your language around food, and you’ll change your relationship with it, to one that’s far more positive.
03
Pillar 03
Be an honorable eater
Did you have a “bad” food day? Did you binge on something you consider a forbidden food? Stop feeling guilty about it. Stop telling yourself you are bad because of it. Your worth is not based on calories eaten or a random number on a scale. You are beautiful and worthy right now, as is. Instead of focusing on how you “cheated,” let the idea of honoring your body inform your eating.
What this means: pay attention to when you are hungry and when you are full, and respect your body’s signals telling you that you are satiated and satisfied. Use mindful eating to honor the need for more or less food.learn how to get more food and or leave food on the plate. Staying mindful during meals can help you achieve this goal. It may sound something like this: “Today I listened to my body—I ate when I was hungry and stopped when I was full, even if there was food still left on my plate.”
04
Pillar 04
Don't "treat" yourself like a dog
Say it with me: dogs get treats, humans eat snacks. That’s right—going forward, I want you to stop thinking of tasty tidbits of food as a reward or treat for “good” behavior. Food is food. It is eaten for fuel and other reasons, but we don’t place certain food types on a pedestal to be worshiped as special and craved. If you want to celebrate yourself, splurge on shoe shopping, painting or a getting a massage.
05
Pillar 05
Love Fat. it's not your foe
Stop thinking of fat as something negative. Whether it’s fat on your body or in your food, it’s natural, healthy, and necessary; not bad, ugly or evil. We need it in our bodies and in our food. Fat in your food is an essential macronutrient. Don’t be afraid to eat it; it definitely has a place in a well-balanced diet.
You can be healthy with fat on your body. You can also be unhealthy with no fat on your body. Don’t judge a book by its cover. Talking negatively about yourself will only lessen your self-esteem and make this journey so much harder. And learn to love your body, even your fat.
