“All Foods Fit”: Embracing Food Diversity For Whole-Self Wellness – A Q&A With Thrive Wellness Reno Registered Dietitian Jessica Franks, M.A., RDN, RYT

Thrive • Jan 03, 2023

“All foods fit”, a concept that promotes mind-body wellness, supports diverse eating choices without judgment. By accepting all foods as vital nourishment, individuals who adopt the “all foods fit” mindset can feel free to enjoy the experience of eating, knowing they are energizing their bodies with necessary nutrients. Learn more about the “all foods fit” approach and food diversity in the Q&A below with Thrive Wellness Reno registered dietitian Jessica Franks, M.A., RDN, RYT.

What does “all foods fit” mean?

An alternative approach to eating, “all foods fit” encourages healthy relationships with food. Within this way of thinking, all foods can be consumed because they provide the body, brain, and spirit with energy. The concept empowers individuals to drop any unhelpful categorizations of foods, such as those that label food as good or bad, healthy or unhealthy, and right or wrong. In place of judgment around food, the “all foods fit” notion values nutrition, pleasure, satisfaction, and choice in eating. It holds that a person’s overall wellness is most influenced by how a person relates to food, not food properties. By maintaining an “all foods fit” perspective, individuals can find peace and contentment with food, while at the same time reducing any stress and anxiety associated with eating.

Why is diversity in food choices important?

An integral element of the “all foods fit” mentality, food diversity refers to eating from a variety of food groups. Like the “all foods fit” concept, food diversity encompasses physical and mental well-being.

Nutrients provide the body with energy to execute its many important functions including breathing , digestion , temperature regulation, and much more. Consuming different foods helps ensure a person receives all the nutrients necessary for fueling their body. Additionally, by nourishing the body with a variety of nutrients, a person equips their immune system to fight off chronic illnesses .

Not only is food diversity beneficial for the body, but it helps nourish the mind as well. By incorporating variety and choice into their diet, a person can avoid feeling limited and deprived. Instead, they’re more likely to be open to exploring different foods to feed their body.

How do carbohydrates, fats, and proteins help sustain our overall well-being?

Carbohydrates, fats, and proteins fulfill specific, important roles in the brain and body.

Carbohydrates provide the foundation of energy for everyday actions as well as the processes that keep us alive. In other words, carbohydrates allow individuals to do the things they love.
Proteins ensure the bodily structures remain intact while also stimulating chemical reactions to turn food into energy.
Fats shield vital organs, regulate temperature, help absorb essential vitamins, provide energy, and produce hormones that make up the body’s internal communication system.

Although it may be “trendy” to refrain from eating one or more of these substances, doing so is harmful to the body’s overall functioning. However, by affirming an “all foods fit” mindset, a person can feel confident in their choice to effectively nourish themself.

How can individuals enjoy post-holiday meals by adopting the “all foods fit” mentality?

When a person carries out the “all foods fit” approach, they’re able to exist in a state of abundance, rather than restriction . As a result, all of their mind-body systems are positively influenced, and they can trust in their ability to self-regulate around foods. They also are aware that one meal or food doesn’t determine their health.

How can individuals go into the new year with an open mindset regarding food?

Individuals can consider the way they typically approach foods. They may ask themselves the following questions.

Do I frequently feel guilty about my food choices or ways of eating?
Do I cycle in and out of eating “plans” or “programs”?
Do I have thoughts about food or my body upon waking up in the morning and going to bed at night?
Do I feel well in my mind, body, and spirit?
Am I motivated and confident?

Depending on their answers, the new year may be a good opportunity to re-evaluate their approach to eating so they can nurture a sustainable, healthy relationship with food and their body.

NUTRITIONAL SUPPORT AT THRIVE WELLNESS

At Thrive Wellness, our registered dietitians, eating disorder clinicians, and mind-body specialists help individuals nourish their bodies mindfully, intuitively, and confidently while accepting their bodies as they are. To learn more about our nutrition services, eating disorder programs, and additionally mental and behavioral health support, reach out .

About the Contributor

Thrive Wellness Reno Registered Dietitian Jessica Franks, M.A., RDN, RYT

Jessica Franks has a bachelor’s of science in dietetics and management from Western Illinois University and a master’s degree in nutrition from Ball State University, not to mention more than a decade-long career as a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN). Her clinical experience has ranged from geriatric nutrition to nutritional therapy for eating disorder recovery. Jessica has undergone additional training in intuitive eating and microbiome health, and is also a 200-hour registered yoga teacher (RYT).

At Thrive Wellness Reno, Jessica specializes in providing nutritional therapy with an emphasis on intuitive eating. She also integrates mindful movement and breathwork into her treatment approach, as she believes that complete health is not merely the absence of disease – it encompasses physical, mental, and social health for whole well-being.

Being from a small Illinois town with a population of less than 700, Jessica was determined to see the world and experience city life after college. She spent time in Indianapolis, Chicago, San Diego, and San Francisco before finding her way to the “Biggest Little City” of Reno, Nevada, which she feels offers a beautiful balance of small-town feel with city-like offerings. She cherishes all four seasons in northern Nevada and likes to explore the outdoors and the Sierra Nevada mountains in her time outside of work.

The post “All Foods Fit”: Embracing Food Diversity For Whole-Self Wellness – A Q&A With Thrive Wellness Reno Registered Dietitian Jessica Franks, M.A., RDN, RYT first appeared on Thrive Wellness.

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Clean House, Healthy Mind: Spring Cleaning Benefits for Mental Health

By Sage Tippie • 23 Apr, 2024

Spring Cleaning Benefits for Mental Health Spring is a time of new beginnings, change, and transitions, including in our homes. With the warmer weather kicking motivation into high gear, Spring can be a prime time to do a deep clean. Not only is a clean space aesthetically pleasing to the eyes, but it can also help to improve your mental health. Learn about how tidying up your space can also tidy up your thoughts below along with tips for cleaning when you’re struggling with your mental health. 4 Reasons Why Cleaning is Beneficial to Mental health 1.Decreased Stress Not only does an uncluttered space provide a sense of calm, but the physical act of cleaning can release feel-good endorphins, reducing feelings of stress and anxiety. As you cross tasks off your checklist, your body also releases Dopamine. Also known as the “happy hormone”, Dopamine provides a sense of accomplishment and pride that can promote motivation in other areas of our lives. 2. Improved Focus Studies have shown that an uncluttered space can also lead to an uncluttered mind. Your focus can be drawn away from important tasks by a chaotic, messy space. Research has also shown a connection between procrastination and clutter, as an unwillingness to tackle larger chores like cleaning can translate over into various areas of our lives. By keeping your space tidy, it can inspire you to stay on top of other major tasks like work and school assignments. 3. Regulated Emotions According to this 2015 study , cleaning can function as a practice in mindfulness, providing an increased sense of calm and inspiration. Slowing down while cleaning gives you room to relax and free your mind of burdens, stressors, and irritants that can affect your mental health. Cleaning can even be considered a practice of self-care as the action helps you to connect with yourself and the outcome allows you to better enjoy your own space. 4. Sense of Order and Control When experiencing mental health struggles, people may feel a lack of control over their lives and emotions. Cleaning even small areas of the home can provide an increased sense of order and control as you cross tasks off your to-do list. Through realizing your own power by simply completing minor tasks like cleaning, it can reaffirm your ability to do more. 10 Tips for Cleaning When Struggling with Mental Health Mental health struggles and disorders commonly create barriers to one’s ability to clean and properly practice personal hygiene. Although these behaviors are normal side effects of mental health disorders, we want to work to aid our clients in cleaning to the best of their ability even in difficult times. Below, Thrive Wellness occupational therapist Meadow Deason shares some helpful tips she gives to clients when they struggle with cleaning due to mental health conditions: 1.Ask For Help Having support to clean can make a huge difference. Do the cleaning with the person helping you and have them hold you accountable. 2. Don't Wait for Motivation Motivation might not come before action, but it can build as you begin to see the results of your efforts. 3. Start Small Start with one area or one task and go from there. For example, concentrate on your bedroom first and then move on to the living room and bathroom. 4. Do Something Daily Even if you do only one small cleaning task a day, doing that one task creates momentum and prevents small tasks from building up and becoming overwhelming. 5. Use Sensory Modulation Change your environment by playing music, adjusting the lighting, or using aromatherapy. This can help to put you in a new headspace for cleaning. 6. Start with "High Impact" Tasks Start with more intensive or all-over cleaning tasks such as picking up clutter or doing the dishes. The visual "noise" of some tasks makes a large impact on the entire space, building motivation to continue cleaning. 7. Make a To-Do List Write a detailed to-do list of tasks and cross them off as you go. Physically marking down what you’ve accomplished can promote increased motivation. 8. Reward Yourself Set up a reward system where you reward yourself with a favorite activity or item when you complete a task as an incentive to clean. 9. Use the Rocket Method Don't think about it, just choose a task, countdown from five or ten and then start. This can help you to avoid potential anxiety and dread that can prevent you from cleaning. 10. Gamify Tasks Make up a game for your tasks or time yourself to promote increased engagement in cleaning. Your ability to complete tasks can be affected by a multitude of different factors and conditions including OCD , anxiety, depression , ADHD , and more. If you are struggling with motivation due to your mental health, help is here at Thrive Wellness.

child getting bandaid from doctor while mother smiles

The Importance of Whole Family Primary Care: A Q&A with Dr. Stephanie Wright

26 Mar, 2024

By serving the whole family, physicians are able to have a better understanding of family dynamics, family health care goals, and history of disease in the family.