“You live once and life is wonderful, so eat the damn red velvet cupcake!” Emma Stone
Whether your mouth waters at fudgy brownies or your stomach sings when it sees pizza - food can be one of life’s greatest pleasures.
Much more than simply fuel, it can be total, unadulterated joy. A huge part of our lives, cultures and experiences, food can form some of our happiest memories and celebrations.
Unfortunately, though, eating for pleasure isn’t always easy for everyone. In fact, for many, food has become a source of untold stress.
“We've forgotten what a regular body looks like. There are people out there struggling, I’m struggling, and it's okay to come to terms with realising it's going to be a bit of a journey.” Chrissy Teigen
We know that we are not alone in believing that food - and ourselves - should be celebrated.
We also know that it is not always that simple. Not just a case of clicking our fingers, it is hard (and often painful) to erase a lifetime of negativity.
Our diets and bodies have long been entangled in toxic messages, each one a thread that has interwoven food with weight loss. This means that what we eat can sometimes feel overwhelming, particularly if we see the food as “unhealthy” - a common fear that most of us will have experienced before.
After all, lurking beneath the glossy magazines and endless stream of photos we see on social media lies the murky depths of today’s diet culture.
“Comparison is the thief of joy.” Theodore Roosevelt
We are bombarded with uninformed nutrition advice; “what I eat in a day” videos; unintentionally harmful remarks, comments or advice - sometimes from a friend or family member. Even if we do not want to see or hear it, we are surrounded by filtered images that present an impossible standard of beauty.
And the worst of it? This exposure happens all day, every day. 24/7.
You probably don’t need us to tell you that these messages tap into our insecurities, making us obsess over our so-called imperfections. You don’t need us to tell you that these messages hold us back from truly living our best lives.
But, we do need to tell you this: not only are you enough, but you are more than enough. Exactly as you are.
“I am more than my measurements, my body is MY body. I’ll call the shots.” Ashley Graham
This new way of thinking is slowly creeping in and we are so ready for change! Along with many others (such as our favourite influencers, brands, writers and celebrities), Nut Blend believes in eating for satisfaction. In saying a firm and resounding “no” to toxic diet culture. Listening to our own bodies and normalising what makes us feel our best in any given moment.
While we may be a health food product (our nut butters are made with just nuts and natural spices), we will always encourage our customers to eat the cupcake, order the dessert, devour the jar of nut butter - just as they like it.
We are on a mission to spread happiness wherever our Nut Blends go.
That means (hurrah!) no diets, no guilt, no restriction, no cutting out entire food groups. Eating for good energy every day.
HOW DO YOU EAT YOURS?
Whether you like to drizzle Nut Blend over oats, slather it on waffles, pour it over pancakes or simply eat it with a spoon right from the jar - we hold no judgement. All we ask is that we leave you bright and beaming.
Because, when it comes down to it, life is for enjoyment, not restriction. Health is much more than how many vegetables we have eaten, so much more than a number on the scales.
True health - the kind that can light us up from within - is never just about these things. We should never be made to feel bad about our bodies or to feel guilty when it comes to eating what we really enjoy.
“Don’t waste so much time thinking about how much you weigh. There is no more mind-numbing, boring, idiotic, self-destructive diversion from the fun of living.” Meryl Streep
If you don't feel enough just yet, we get it.
Diet culture can affect us all - it leaves no one unscathed. Believe us when we say that you are not alone in feeling like this - we have been there too. In fact, we are still riding this wave.
However strong we may come across, however much we might love ourselves or work on healing our demons, navigating self-love and acceptance can be tricky at times. Our self-esteem can ebb and flow, and sometimes the love for our bodies may feel a little battered and bruised. None of us is perfect when it comes to embracing ourselves.
After a lifetime of toxic messages, it can take time to heal our relationship with food. Some days, we want to pull on our bikinis with pride - and other times, we may want to hide. This is completely normal, we promise you!
Remember When I Asked for Your Opinion? Me neither.
Amid all the negativity, we hope that you (even if it is just a very small part of you!) can recognise that, when it comes to food, the only opinion that matters is yours. The healthiest approach is the one that makes YOU happy. And, take it from our own experience, when you choose to avoid satisfying food cravings, the only one missing out is you. No one else.
So let's aim to put down the guilt and fear. Tune in and listen to our inner voice. Most importantly, let's have fun with food! Recognise that it is okay (in your favour, even) to do what you enjoy - and that doesn't, ever, include sacrificing your favourite foods. If it makes us happy, it doesn't have to make sense to anyone else.
Freeing yourself from the diet industry's strong grip is hard. If you are having a wobble today, please remember that you are not alone however lonely you may feel. We are all on this rollercoaster journey together, one (small) step at a time.
