Nutrition

Nutrition, especially HAES Nutrition, is one of the essential building blocks to health.

The Focus of HAES: Health, Not Weight

Unlike traditional diet culture, which often emphasizes weight loss as the ultimate goal, HAES focuses on long-term health improvements. The goal is to make lifestyle changes that benefit your overall well-being. HAES encourages you to:

• Learn about your body: Understand how your body works and what foods support your personal health goals.
• Move with joy: Find physical activities that bring you joy, like dancing, walking, swimming, or anything else that feels fun—rather than forcing yourself to do something you dislike because it’s “good for you.”
• Listen to your intuition: Pay attention to how food affects your energy and mood instead of relying on generic nutrition facts that may not apply to your unique body.

HAES also advocates for non-shaming interventions, focusing on kindness and compassion as you work toward your health goals. It’s about treating your body with respect and learning how to nourish it in a way that feels right for you.

Breaking Emotional Blocks to Health

One key aspect of HAES is removing the emotional blocks to health, especially when it comes to food. For many people, emotional eating can be a significant barrier to making lasting health changes. HAES teaches you to explore the underlying reasons behind compulsive eating and to find comfort from sources other than food.

For example, you might realize that eating a bowl of ice cream may bring temporary relief, but the guilt that follows can lead to a cycle of emotional eating. HAES helps you break this cycle and develop healthier coping strategies.

Supporting Health Goals Without Dieting

If your doctor is concerned about your weight due to conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, or other health issues, a HAES nutritionist can help you make lifestyle changes that support your health goals. The emphasis is on sustainable changes rather than temporary diets that focus solely on weight loss. The HAES approach provides guidance on making long-term, healthy choices without the emotional and physical stress of traditional dieting.