Nutrition and Emotions

Most of us know the basics of what we are "supposed" to be eating--we should eat less sugar, more veggies, healthy protein, fats, and complex carbs, and drink enough water. But it can still be hard to pin down a plan that works and that feels realistic to continue for a lifetime.  And even if we have a really solid, healthy plan, our emotions and stress level can easily derail us. We might eat well for a couple of weeks or until we get stressed about something, and then when life gets hard we turn to sweets or junk food as a way to cope or numb our emotions.  Having a clear, realistic plan, as well as therapy for any emotional eating issues can be life changing!

I use a 2 pronged approach in helping clients meet their wellness goals.  I believe we need to focus on emotions first, and then food-otherwise we are just taking away your favorite coping mechanism (overeating), leaving you without your safety blanket. 

1. Identify and fully heal any underlying emotional connections to food, via talk therapy or EMDR or both. Overeating can temporarily numb emotional pain and can easily become a crutch.  True healing takes place at the root of why we are using food to numb ourselves in the first place.  I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Colorado, and also certified level 2 EMDR. Below are some things we may consider to heal your relationship with food and your body:
  • Learn to tolerate and feel your feelings instead of feeding them
  • Process stuck emotions from the past
  • Healing negative beliefs about yourself, like "I'm not good enough", "I'm not worthy", etc.
  • Processing day to day emotions as they come up
  • Reconnect with yourself instead of disconnecting with food
  • Differentiate between emotional hunger and physical hunger
  • Identify what you are really "hungry" for (rest, joy, fulfillment, a moment of calm, etc.)
  • No longer need something outside of yourself (food) to make you feel OK

2. Develop a realistic lifetime eating plan, taking a problem-solving approach to identify and eliminate your personal obstacles to healthy eating. I am a nutritional consultant and can help you end the diet/binge cycle once and for all. Some things we may consider: 

  • Basics of healthy eating (portions, fiber, water intake, protein, healthy fat, complex carbs, etc.)
  • Including your favorite foods in your plan
  • Developing mindfulness 
  • Unintentional self-sabotage
  • Changing habits
  • Empathy drain
  • Energy slumps
  • Sugar addiction
  • Stressful family dynamics or other life stress
  • Food cravings
  • Identify and refer out for any underlying hormonal or medical issues 


I use a holistic approach to help you feel at peace with food and your body.  I look forward to meeting with you to hear your story and to help you meet your wellness goals!

Tree of Life Wellness Services, LLC

Tristin Mead-Rodrigues
720-675-7419
treeoflifewellness@gmail.com

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