Eat Smart, Not Less: My Healthy Eating Journey

This isn’t a punishment but a nourishment 

I was 14 when someone first said it to my face.

“You would be so pretty if you just lost a little weight”

“That sentence stayed with me for years — not because it helped, but because it haunted me.

So I stopped eating. I punished my body for being human, for craving, for being “too much.” But eventually, I learned something powerful:

“You don’t have to eat less to glow .you just have to eat better”

This is what that journey looked like for me.

⚠️ 

Disclaimer:

This blog is based on personal experience. I’m not a dietitian, doctor, or nutritionist — just someone who’s learned through real-life mistakes. Please seek professional guidance if you struggle with disordered eating or health concerns.

Healing on a plate .Simple .Whole.Enough 

From Food Shame to Food Freedom

For years, I thought food was the enemy. If I ate less, I’d lose weight. If I skipped meals, I’d look “disciplined.”

But in reality?

• I felt dizzy and drained.
• My skin broke out.
• I lost muscle — not fat.
• And emotionally, I felt worse than ever.

Eventually, I realized: the way I was eating wasn’t healthy — even if I looked smaller.

How I Started Eating “Better” (Without Going Broke)

I didn’t go vegan, keto, or extreme. I just started eating with care — not fear.

Here are the small changes that made a big difference:

✅ 1. 

I Ate More, Not Less — But Smarter

• Swapped white bread for brown or seeded
• Added protein to my meals: eggs, beans, tuna
• Focused on real food, not just calories

✅ 2. 

I Let Go of “Perfect”

Some days I still eat slap chips. I don’t punish myself.

It’s about balance, not obsession.

✅ 3. 

I Listen to My Body Now

If I’m hungry, I eat.

If I’m full, I stop.

No app or calorie tracker knows me better than I do.

💛 

The Glow-Up Was More Than Skin Deep

What changed for me?

• My skin became more stable (less stress, more nutrients)
• My energy came back
• I wasn’t bloated or moody 24/7
• I started respecting my body — not fighting it

👉 Here’s what I eat now when I’m stressed — and still want to glow

👉 From Bunny Chow to Smoothie Bowls — My South African food story

💬 Your Turn:

Did you grow up being told to eat less?

Have you also had to unlearn toxic food habits to feel healthy again?

I’d love to hear your story — or just how you’re nourishing yourself lately. Drop a comment 💭👇