Did you really eat it if you didn't post it on Instagram?

Vegan. Paleo. Raw. Gluten-free. Keto. For a moment, think about all of the words we throw around with food on a daily basis. Have you ever shared your food via social media to the world, tagging the healthy ingredients or products used? Chances are you don’t as often publicly document your ‘slip-ups’ or not so healthy meals, right? Is it just me or is it strange that we feel the need to document and share everything, including our food choices online to the world? As the millennial saying goes, “did it really happen if you didn’t post about it on Instagram?”

Depression, anxiety, and body image issues are running high in our society and I am not surprised - we are all busy trying to keep up, worrying about how we measure up to our peers and counterparts. We have anxiety about feeling the need to share what we do at all times - but only if it matches what society wants from us - and so we overshare about ourselves, our hobbies, and the foods we eat.

I too fall into the category of wanting to share food online. If I am being honest, I don’t share my food as often simply because I am THE WORST food photographer! And sometimes a girl is hungry so I would rather eat right away than patiently plate my food beautifully. Also, now that we are on the topic, who decided whether or not our food was ‘Instagram worthy’? If it tastes good why does it always have to be on display! Social media has played an extremely large role in people’s confusion with nutrition and eating today. If we aren’t following the no diary, no gluten, whatever seems trendy food rules, we feel out of place. One day I actually wanted to share the pancakes I made with the Instagram world to remind us that it is okay to eat foods without putting a tag or name to it. My pancakes had white flour and sugar simply because I ran out of my other ingredients. I survived and they tasted amazing! 

I have taken a few nutrition courses myself but I am by no means an expert in this field either. However, I like to compare nutrition to fitness, something I know a little more about. Think of an individual training. No two people will ever find that the exact same formula of training programs and workouts gives the same results. Every person has an individualized program to give them the results they want to live their best life.

The same should go for food! It is all about listening to your body. Become aware of the foods that make you feel great physically and emotionally and take note of those that don’t. Your food consumption may end up being a sometimes vegan/paleo/gluten-free/ALL the gluten/meatless/MEATLOVERS/dairy-free formula. We are all going to find a different combination that works for us.

My best advice? Do you! You will learn what fuel makes you feel and function at your best. Follow that regardless of what others are consuming or trying. Take all the food photos you want or just eat your damn meal with your own internal satisfaction without having to share it with the world. Keep it a secret with yourself. Listen to your body - you are the person who knows what is best for you.

Yours in self-discovery,

Rachel

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