Changing our eating habits can be really hard, there’s no denying that.

But have you ever stopped to consider that maybe it’s the beliefs you have about eating healthy that hold you back?

We of course all have different notions regarding what constitutes healthy eating, but what matters the most is whether they elicit positive or negative emotion in us.

Do they propel us forward, or do they keep us stuck?

It’s important to keep in mind that beliefs are just thoughts that we repeatedly think over and over again. They may feel true for us, but they’re not necessarily the ultimate truth.

Because if heaven forbid these excuses are true? Well then yeah, healthy eating is going to feel hard and challenging.

Can you see how disempowering this is?

So today I’m focusing on a few of the excuses that I hear repeatedly when it comes to healthy eating.

You may think they sound innocent enough, but that’s what makes them so insidious.

See if you identify with any of them, and if so, let’s reframe them so that they don’t stand in your way.

Excuse #1

Healthy Eating is…Expensive

Sure, healthy eating can be expensive depending on what you’re spending your money on, but it’s completely possible to eat healthy without breaking the bank.

If you think you need to drop your cash regularly on fresh-pressed green juices, “superfood” smoothies, or $15 salad or grain bowls at the latest and greatest organic eatery, then of course you’re going to equate healthy eating with being expensive.

Likewise, if you’re spending your money on fancy powders, supplements, and expensive packaged goods. Sure these things can add some fun to our diets or spruce up a dish, but make no mistake: the true healing foods are the ones grown from the earth (i.e. fruits and veggies), and not the packaged ones sold at the health food store.

Think about focusing the majority of your diet on whole foods with single, or minimal extra ingredients. Everything else is nice to have, but not absolutely necessary.

And keep in mind that the term “superfood” shouldn’t be equated to exotic ingredients found in far off locales; it might be something you picked up at your local grocer or market (hello, wild blueberries!).

Eating seasonally is another way to save money, and don’t think that you need to eat all organic either. I suggest familiarizing yourself with the Environmental Working Group’s Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen lists to find out where it may be worthwhile opting for organics, and where it’s okay to skimp.

Hit up the bulk section for your whole grains, beans, legumes, nuts, seeds, dried fruit, and for all of your baking needs.

When it comes to foods like eggs, dairy, and other animal products, I suggest buying the best you can afford, or purchase them from a reputable source that you trust. I certainly don’t buy all organic but I do opt for grass-fed sourced options when it’s an option and buy from a source that I trust.

Do a little research if you’re not sure what’s available near you, and keep in mind that if you’re forgoing most of the packaged health foodstuff you’ll likely find that you have a little extra money to buy better quality in this area.

Also, don’t forget canned goods like chickpeas, wild salmon, and sardines – all relatively inexpensive options.

To return to my earlier point about smoothies and juices, definitely consider investing in a good quality blender and/or juicer to save yourself tons of money in the long term.

For example, I’ve had my Vita-Mix Blender for almost 10 years now and still use it almost daily. I also invested in a good quality and relatively inexpensive juicer several years ago, and it’s still serving me well too.

Excuse # 2

Healthy Eating is…No Fun

You’ve surely heard this one before: No Gluten, No Sugar, No Dairy, No Fun! (Or some version of this, anyways)

While I’m not a fan of needless restriction, and I actually prefer when ALL the foods are on the table and you can choose intuitively the best choices for you and your unique body, I understand that a) this isn’t always easy for people (particularly if you have a history of restriction and overeating), and b) sometimes people may need to restrict certain foods as part of a therapeutic or healing protocol, at least in the short-term.

In a circumstance like this, it really comes down to mindset.

For example, let’s say that for whatever reason you need to restrict dairy. Rather than thinking to yourself, “I can never eat ice cream again and my life sucks”, (and complaining to everyone around you), consider reframing the situation by saying, “I can have the ice cream if I really want it but I’m not going to because I feel a lot better when I don’t eat it (read: diarrhea is no fun). This of course is just one tiny example.

I understand that you may have many other reasons for believing this excuse, but again, it truly is a mindset issue.

Oftentimes people believe it has to be one extreme or the other.

Restricting OR eating with reckless abandon.

Kale salads and quinoa OR croissants and French fries.

Socializing and eating out OR isolation and hermitry (lest you slip off your regimen).

But can’t all of these things co-exist…at least on some level?

There’s a dangerous way of thinking that says, if I’m not doing it ALL then I won’t bother doing anything at all (it’s often unconscious).

But what if you could drink the green juice and eat the ice cream? (Minus the diarrhea of course.)

It doesn’t have to be one hundred percent or nothing at all.

Could you accept being somewhere around 50 or 60% if it meant that you were at least moving forward?

I feel like there’s a lot more I could say on this one but I’ll leave it at this: If you really believe eating healthy is boring, let’s have a chat! :)

Excuse #3

Healthy Eating is…Time Consuming (and Complicated!)

Okay, that’s two excuses in one. But in this case they kind of fit together.

Let me explain.

It’s not uncommon for people to get tripped up when they first set out to change their diet because they think they need to spend a ton of time slaving away in the kitchen, or poring over complicated recipes.

This couldn’t be further from the truth!

I consider myself a true foodie who loves indulging her inner gourmand, but let me set the record straight. I keep my day-to-day REALLY simple.

It’s all about getting a little creative with a few basic ingredients.

Remember that the flavour is in the freshness. For example, think about the complex tastes of peppery baby arugula topped with sun-ripened tomatoes and fresh goat’s cheese, or crisp and crunchy cucumber topped with a bit of sea salt, or baked salmon topped with fresh dill and drizzled with lemon juice, or the taste of a ripe juicy peach in the midst of summer.

Keep a well-stocked arsenal of fresh garlic, ginger, herbs, spices, sea salt, EVO, and perhaps some butter. These are the elements that truly make even the most basic dish spring to life with vibrant flavour. Take otherwise “boring” veggies to a whole new level by sautéing them in a little crushed garlic, grated ginger, and butter.

And don’t forget the old adage: Cook once, eat twice.

Take an hour on the weekend (when you’re doing something else, i.e. laundry, vacuuming) to roast some veggies or potatoes, boil some eggs, bake some chicken, or cook a batch of grain to save you time during the week.

Don’t make it more complicated than it needs to be.

In closing, I’ll leave you with one final sentiment, because sadly I see this time and time again.

Don’t wait for a diagnosis to make your health a priority.

Because at that point? You might not have the luxury of excuses.

Then again (and I say this lovingly), for some people the health scare is the best wake-up call they could ever have.

What do you think?

xo Elaine

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