How & Why I Stopped Labeling Foods as "GOOD" and "BAD"

I commonly receive questions on Instagram about the foods I consume. The questions often ask about determining whether a food is "good or bad" - i.e. how to decide and what the adequate ratios are for good versus bad foods one should eat. This is always a tricky one to approach because of all the controversial resources our there, BUT I'm here to provide you with my best answer possible based upon my background and experience with ditching the food labelling. 

I constantly hear through media, friends, and even trained dietitians/nutritionists, the terms "healthy" and "unhealthy" used when categorizing food. I would LOVE to sit down and ask these people what truly deems a food "healthy"... Is it a certain calorie limit?... a restriction on trans/saturated fat?... a limit on the amount that it's "processed"? (NOT necessarily a bad thing - many foods are processed to increase their safety & nutritional value!!) 

I don't think any of the people putting these labels out there would have a concise answer for me. There is simply no way to separate good and bad foods, and this realization has introduced me to much greater food freedom and decreased anxiety when choosing what to consume.

Based on the ideas I've heard circulating out there, I'm sure we all have perceptions of the foods that are "good" and "bad" for us. But would a sweet potato still be considered "healthy" if I were eating 8 of them a day? Kale is supposedly a "superfood", but is eating just steamed kale for dinner in my best interest? Walnuts and almonds are chock-full of healthy unsaturated fats, does this mean I can have a cup full after each meal? THERE IS MUCH MORE TO "HEALTHY EATING" THAN LABELLING FOOD AND STICKING ONLY TO THOSE CONSIDERED "GOOD". I'm trying to emphasize here that even foods commonly considered as "healthy" can be consumed in a less beneficial manner. For this reason, I have completely wiped this foolish labelling system out of my head. I believe in balancing of whole foods with some of the less nutritious ones I'm craving. I now rationally know that my fitness goals will not be disrupted if I moderate portions and balance my intake. Having pizza? AWESOME. Have your few slices, acknowledge your feelings of satiety, and stop when you're satisfied. Craving a salad for dinner? GREAT. Create a salad containing a mix of protein/carb/fats to fulfill your macronutrient needs and your cravings. This mindset is the basis of "flexible dieting" that so many fitness gurus rave about... and I will gladly make another post following up on this in the future if people are interested. Essentially, a flexible dieting lifestyle allows one to consume what they please - as long as they are achieving a balance of macro and micronutrients and within their goal calorie range **(disclaimer: counting calories is not necessary to achieve a healthy balance, but I've spoken to many people that insist it helps with their personal goals).  

Before I attained this mindset, it was nearly impossible to indulge in any type of food I considered "bad" without absolutely BINGING on it. I remember being with friends at a restaurant offering specialty desserts... and I went absolutely wild. I not only finished my 3-scoop deluxe ice cream brownie sundae BUT dove into the leftovers of my friends when they were full from theirs. The spoon was shaking in my hand, my mind was racing, and I was fixated on consuming such rich foods that I had restricted myself from for so long. Even if not to this extent, I fully believe that preventing yourself from having that snack that's more "processed" or getting that ice cream with friends, or consuming those crackers because they're made with enriched flour and oil (GOD FORBID)... will only set you up for failure in the long run. Restricting yourself from anything in life for too long will only skyrocket your cravings for them - causing a serious binge or just plain unhappiness. 

NO👏. FOODS👏. ARE👏. BAD👏. So go ahead and erase those silly food labels your mind has created. Despite what other sources may be telling you, I fully support that all the food one craves can be healthfully incorporated into a balanced diet. Are some food options lower-calorie than others? Yes. Are some meals more nutrient-dense than others? YES. However, this doesn't mean foods should be automatically separated into an untouchable, off limits "bad" category. Craving that donut? GO FOR IT. It doesn't mean you need to binge on 12 because it's your only opportunity for the month and conversely, does NOT mean you must restrict calorie intake for the rest of the day. Your body is an amazing thing that will inform you when it's full and let you know what it's craving. Listen to it.

Eat what you love and what makes you feel best, both mentally and physically. 😌👍💕I wish so desperately that someone had ingrained this in my brain YEARS ago, and I would hate for anyone to think the same. Thus, my goal here is help anyone in a similar situation struggling with a stubborn distinction of "good vs. bad" food options.
Please feel free to leave any feedback below or via Instagram. I do my best to respond to all questions/comments! Thanks so much for reading.
XOXO - Coco