Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

 Download your free e-book "8 ways to kickstart your food freedom now"

Ready to leave
food rules behind?

It's time to come home to you.

Ditch Diet Culture

Grab your free ebook Download! 
 

Schedule Your Free Consultation

Learn about Coaching Services

MIND-BODY EATING COACH, REGISTERED NURSE, AND YOGA TEACHER. I'M HERE TO HELP YOU FIND FOOD FREEDOM AND HEAL YOUR MINDSET AROUND HEALTH SO YOU CAN LIVE YOUR BEST LIFE!

I offer a free, 45 minute consultation for people ready to overcome challenges related to chronic dieting, body image, and weight. Schedule a call to see if my coaching services are right for you to reach your goals.

What is Food Freedom?

Laura Guilmain Food Freedom

The phrase Food Freedom is getting a lot of attention.

I am thrilled more people are taking a closer look at their relationship with food and body image. If that’s you (yay!), you’ll likely come across the word food freedom in the process. You’ll also see a variety of definitions for this phrase. Dig deeper, and you’ll see members of the health community and leaders of this movement getting into disagreements over what this term means.

 

Let it be.

Really!

 

I, for one, think it’s fantastic that people are finding a unique relationship to this phrase that’s meaningful for them. I mean, if we can’t have liberties with the definition of our personal relationship with food and how it relates to freedom, then we all need to relax a bit. Which we probably need to do anyway.

 

Before I further encourage you to explore your food ideology, I’ll share my food freedom definition.

 

Food freedom is an individualized, holistic experience where you are operating from conscious awareness on what types of foods and eating styles do to your physical and emotional bodies. From that place, you choose your experience, loving your reason why.

For example, sometimes you’ll choose to overeat or have a sugary dessert because you want the experience with loved ones. Or you’re traveling and won’t have access to the gelato in Italy again, etc. Here’s another example: speaking of gelato, I have an allergy to cow’s milk protein. Even though I have (non-life threatening) side effects for days after consuming milk, you better believe I chose to eat gelato in Italy! I ate it with my senses turned on and tuned in and enjoyed every.single.bite.

 

My definition of food freedom centers upon feeling in control of food instead of controlled by food.

 

You may see a red flag with the word control. Hold up. I see your gears turning.

Let me elaborate.

 

The control I am speaking of is not overly restrictive or punishing. The orientation is in self-love, self-care, confidence, and consciousness.

 

Let me be clear: you can have anything you want when you want it. And there’s no need for guilt and shame on this journey. It’s time to take the morality out of food.

Even as a practitioner who supports body autonomy and a holistic approach to weight loss after healing your relationship to food and body image, I still don’t think any foods are off-limit.

 

 

 

The intention with food freedom is to stay connected to a few questions:

  1. Did I plan this ahead of time, or am I emotionally reacting rather than processing an uncomfortable feeling?
  2. Do I want it (regardless of the answer to #1)?
  3. Do I love my reason why?
  4. Can I decide ahead of time to be kind to myself on the other side of this meal/snack, fully knowing no single decision or day has the power to keep me from my goals for food freedom and wellbeing? In other words, can I commit to myself that this action will not “knock me off the wagon” headed towards my goals?

Based on your grounded, honest answers to those questions, I encourage you to adjust your food plan in whatever way you feel serves your highest good. Food is holistic- offering pleasure, connection, and nourishment. But a lot of things nourish besides food.

 

REAL TALK: If you’re not really hungry for food and you’re actually looking for another type of nourishment (i.e., sleep, having a difficult conversation, getting the task done, etc.), no amount of food will satisfy you.

 

Asking yourself the 4 questions above will help you stay connected to your food freedom.

I’d encourage you to take some time reflecting on your beliefs about food and nourishment to create your definition of food freedom. It may look something like connecting with a sustainable way of eating based on what you know makes you feel your best and is in service of your goals and values.

It’s common to eat a certain way because of someone’s advice or recommendation. It’s beneficial to learn from others- it’s how we thrive and evolve- but when doing so, apply your critical thinking and expert knowledge of yourself to this information. Otherwise, you’re assigning expert status to someone outside of you. Trust yourself to do a deep dive to audit your views about food and reflect on how you feel best- physically, emotionally, and energetically.

 

In my book, nothing is off-limits, but I don’t eat it all, all the time. If I did, I wouldn’t be feeling my best or honoring my best. That’s my food freedom.

 

REAL TALK: If you’re honest and slow down to tune in, you know certain foods aren’t worth it, and when you take a moment to pause and check-in, you can recognize when you want to buffer with food.

 

I’m not saying it’s easy to stop buffering. Still, it becomes more accessible and very doable with support, which I offer to my clients in my comprehensive 1:1 and group coaching programs to heal their relationships with food and body image.

 

Together, I support you in learning about you.

 

It’s a process of uncovering the belief systems you run off (that affect much more than just your choices around food and body) and how to be deliberate in your decisions. From this place, you can take conscious actions to honor what you want from a place of clarity and integrity. Sometimes that’s no ice cream; other times, it’s a small bowl of ice cream. And guess what? It could also look like a big bowl of ice cream.

 

The key to food freedom is to decide ahead of time to honor you, which is a holistic choice. One that takes your emotional, physical, and spiritual needs into account.

It can seem like a lot to unravel, but I lead clients through a systematic, compassionate, and supportive approach that works. For good.

Reach out to chat if you need support- I offer complimentary consultations to see if your goals and my offering are in support of one another.

 

I’d love to offer you an exercise to help you uncover your food freedom.

 

It takes into account that you’ve been assigning meaning to stimuli (smell, touch, sound, taste, intuition) all of your life, which has led to the formation of your belief system. While these beliefs are yours, meaning they exist in your brain, many of your beliefs from early life are formed passively.

 

Let me explain: We form belief systems through our interactions in the world, including our communities, friends, family members, teachers, coaches, and so on. What you come to think defines your view of what’s possible, as well as your goals and actions.

 

Even more so, your belief system will seek to block out any possibility, thought, or action that goes against your beliefs. In the event one makes it through, you’ll notice a guilt or shame response pop up.

 

That’s all okay. It’s part of being a human being with a human brain.

 

The good news?

You can uncover the system you currently follow, sift it through the lens of where you want to go, and determine if those thoughts need shifting to create a new way of thinking that honors you.

 

Use the worksheet below to take a look at your food rules and what you currently think. I talk about how to break those rules. If you are finding that awareness of the unhelpful rules is not enough to change your actions, let’s connect. I have a systematic process for rewriting beliefs in a way that’s honest, compassionate, and doable for your brain!

 

Click here to download your Food Rules Worksheet

Food Freedom-2-Laura Guilmain

 

If this exercise brings to light that you are following a way of thinking that is unsupportive of your goals, let’s connect.

It is my joy to support this conscious awakening where people are learning how to connect with food authentically in a way that honors their highest good. Get clear on your thoughts, make adjustments to be in alignment, and let food be food.

 

You’ll see that this is food freedom at its finest- when you stop thinking about food so much and act from a place of trust and self-respect.

 

Let food be food. Let your aliveness come from a connection within.

To your health!

Laura

 

If you found this post and worksheet helpful, you check out these resources to support your health and healing:

How to End Your Food Obsession for Good: a Simple Overeating Solution

 

How to Stop Overeating: a Step That Actually Works

Kate

"Laura is extremely knowledgeable in many areas. Her natural talent to communicate with people helps them be the best version of themselves. Although her site states she focuses on food, nutrition, and people’s relationships with these things, which she is extremely talented at Laura has much more to offer. I have worked with many people in the past and Laura has been the first one to help me make this much change in my life! She's a business mentor and consultant, a communication specialist, and is helping me to be a better person overall. She's helped me face some very traumatic parts of my past, along with many other obstacles that have held me back, allowing me to finally become the person I have always wanted to be! Laura continues to believe in me and see my successes, even when I initially can’t. She patiently provides me the guidance to continue making progress and finding new beliefs in a solid but compassionate, nonjudgmental, supportive way. I don’t think there is anyone who wouldn't benefit from working with her!"

"Some people were born to help others and to create a better world, Laura is one of those people!"

Client success

Adrienne

"I began working with Laura after frustration with a health condition inspired me to make lifestyle changes around food, exercise, and mindset. I was looking for the answer to my problem and became overwhelmed by all the information out there. I struggled with taking action and accountability. From the first coaching session, I was comfortable telling Laura about my struggles and fears. She listened and reassured me that I could find freedom and live a happy and healthy life based off of my choices. Then she showed me the way. I found so much power within me from working with her. I learned how to create goals I could reach and each success led me to take the next step. Today, I am healthy and happy. There are a lot of paths to healthy living, but I know my success and excitement for the future would not have happened without working with Laura!"

"She listened and reassured me that I could find freedom..." 

Client success

Joy

"Laura has been an incredible source of compassion and guidance. I started working with her during a difficult time- I was feeling overcome with guilt around my choices and how they were effecting my health. I felt an instant connection with Laura. She created a safe and caring environment so I felt at ease honestly sharing personal details of my life. Laura was empathetic and offered practical support on how to address different health situations step-by-step. She provided many tools that I continue to use each and every day. Laura taught me the path to healing myself by facing my fears and being intentional with my choices."

"She created a safe and caring environment so I felt at ease honestly sharing personal details of my life."

Client success

Michelle

"Choices can be frustrating and confusing- and now I know they can also be rewarding. Laura taught me how to choose differently. To become aware of my thoughts, how to choose them intentionally, and learn how my thoughts create my feelings. I used to feel so powerless- now I understand myself and my actions so much better. I am grateful I chose to invest in myself by working with Laura. It has changed every aspect of my life for the better. I figured out practical, daily self-love, even when the opposite used to come more naturally. I know the power of my yes and no and I finally choose what I want for my life rather than staying in fear of change." 

"Working with Laura showed me the strength of my choices."

Client success

Christine

"Coaching with Laura was like finally taking a complete exhale. I was so wound up- scared and confused about my chronic health conditions and how to make lifestyle changes, as well as anxious about an upcoming surgery. Now I tell everyone about how beneficial our sessions were. Laura helped me see what was possible. From there, I settled in and learned how to believe in myself. I made changes that are doable to this day without feeling deprived. Are there days I don't want to follow through? Sure, but with the skills Laura taught me, I know how to work through discomfort and move forward in support of my goals. Discovering my strong why is a huge motivator. Laura changed my life by helping me create a lifestyle I enjoy. I feel great." 

"Laura helped me see what was possible."

Client success

Heather

"In the past year, my body has changed so much-both in form and function- thanks to this life-changing, life-extending med for cystic fibrosis...As a result, I've struggled hard with body image...But I don't want to be someone who chooses appearance over health. And I know that every ounce of work I put into challenging self-defeating thoughts is only going to help me age gracefully. I want to move joyfully as long as my body will allow. And I'm lucky enough to know this amazing woman...If you want guidance on how to reframe your thoughts and develop love and understanding exactly as you are, Laura is a resource. I don't think there's anything more worth paying love and attention to than our continued health. I eat well and exercise. It's time for that to be enough." 

"If you want guidance on how to reframe your thoughts and develop love and understanding exactly as you are, Laura is a resource."

Client success

Melissa

"From the moment I learned how Laura works with people to improve self-image, compassion, health, & joy of life,  I was so open to the process- embracing it all. It was energizing, comforting, & freeing. Despite years of therapy & my healthcare profession, I never heard wellbeing & the process of generating desired results explained & offered in a way that was compassionate & approachable. It just made sense. I was put at ease even though I knew it would be deep work. She brings levity & possibility to the sessions. I trust we are going deep, & during that process, she'll hold non-judgmental space for everything that comes up. Since she shows you how to release judgement & shame, I'm encouraged to move forward to take action. Working with Laura is a process filled with hope & results." 

"Nothing has touched my heart like this."

Client success

Jamie

"Laura has helped me completely change the way I show up to social situations. I no longer see them as roadblocks to my healthy lifestyle- they are a part of a healthy lifestyle. She taught me to have my own back every single time so I make choices that are consistent with what matters most to me.

She helped me celebrate trial and error- learning along the way- and seeing all the things I loved about connecting with others besides the food and drinks. Her mindset and breathwork techniques helped transform my social anxiety. Now, I enjoy socializing more and feel stronger with every social situation I have. What used to be triggers are now opportunities for me to practice new skills. And I'm getting better every time. Life always seems easier after calls with Laura! And I'm strengthening my own inner voice to offer that same support."

"Life always seems easier after calls with Laura!"

Client success

When customizing your design, paste the embed code for your one-of-a-kind Interact quiz here!

What is your bridal style?

Quiz

© 2021 Laura Guilmain. All Rights Reserved. Showit Template by With Grace and Gold. Photography by Carrie Cox and Annie Senechal

Terms & conditions

privacy

|