​Take The Fight Out Of Food This #NutritionMonth

Both parents and individuals contact me when they are feeling frustrated by food and nutrition. Having kids who are selective eaters, getting them to eat veggies, feeling that you can or can’t eat certain foods- or that you should or shouldn’t, feeling that family mealtimes have become mayhem. These are all examples of “food fights” – they represent times when you struggle with yourself or others about what to eat.
 
A big part of my job as a dietitian is to coach people to calm these food fights, so I was super excited that the Nutrition Month 2017 theme is “Take the Fight out of Food” – it’s exactly what I do every day!
 
Nutrition Month 2017’s campaign from Dietitians of Canada guides people through a three-step approach to improve their relationship with food, no matter what the struggle. I personally love using this 3-step approach, as it can be very empowering to the individual or the family.
 

1. Spot the problem. Identify or define the specific nutrition problem that needs to be solved, since it’s causing a fight with food.
2. Get the facts. Decide what needs to be done to solve the problem using reliable and credible sources.
3. Seek support. Put the plan into action with support from family, friends, a dietitian and other members of the health care team.

 
Over the few weeks, I will go into how to take the fight out of food. You can take action right now by committing to Take the Fight out of Food at www.nutritionmonth2017.ca.
 
Have a food fight you want support with? Contact Jill, Nurture The Future’s Registered Dietitian at nf.nutrition@gmail.com.
 
 
References: Adapted from the Dietitians of Canada’s Nutrition Month campaign materials. Find more information about Nutrition Month at: www.nutritionmonth2017.ca.