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Cultivating a Healthy Relationship with Food as an Athlete

Note: This personal student story was written to provide insight as to how a student builds their relationship with nutrition. The methods and resources discussed may not apply to you. For establishing your own best practices around nutrition, please consult a campus nutritionist or dietitian. Schedule an appointment with Nutrition Counseling.

How I Discovered the Power of Nutrition

Becoming a wrestler at a young age made me realize how crucial nutrition is to my body and performance as an athlete. I learned that to perform at my highest level, I have to put the right fuel in my body, just like a luxury sports car requires more refined oil. It has not always been this simple though. As a wrestler, I am required to maintain a specific weight class which can be challenging at times, especially when trying to establish healthy eating habits. Thankfully, with the support of my dad, wrestling coach, and team dietitian, I have been able to cultivate a healthy relationship with food centered around my needs as an athlete. 

Building MY Relationship with Food 

Whenever I have questions about nutrition, I gather as much information on the subject as possible to make the most informed decision. I work closely with my team’s dietitian to answer any nutrition-related concerns I still may have and from there, build a plan that is right for me. Two guidelines for healthy eating that I tend to follow include:

  1. Be cognizant of the food I put in my body. I personally try to prioritize and consume as many organic and non-processed foods as possible, as they provide me with some of the essential nutrients and antioxidants I need. By focusing on whole, unprocessed foods, I also promote sustainable agriculture practices that are better for the environment. This approach not only enhances my physical health but also aligns with my values of environmental stewardship and ethical consumption practices.
  2. Practice mindful eating. Mindful eating is the practice of bringing moment-to-moment awareness and engagement with food and eating. It can be about slowing down, savoring a mindful bite, and understanding my body's internal cues. To practice mindful eating, I will use chopsticks, if accessible, or ditch the screens, such as watching TV or using my phone, to ensure each bite is given the appropriate attention. Taking a mindful approach not only aids in my portion awareness but also aligns my eating habits with my body's natural needs, fostering a healthier and more balanced relationship with food.

Bonus! If I have enough time, I will also journal out my meals for the day in my notes app to make sure I am fueling my body despite my busy schedule. I can plan my meals to ensure I eat before my classes, practice, etc., or have food on the go. I do this to maintain my energy levels throughout the busy day. 

Building YOUR Relationship with Food 

Your relationship with food may look different than mine and that is totally normal! We are all unique and thus have different nutritional needs. Fortunately, Stanford offers various resources to support each student's nutritional journey. Discover how to build your healthy relationship with food today!

Written by: Jaden Abas, Class of 2025

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Resources

Stanford Resources

  • Vaden Health Services: Vaden can provide help with nutritional disorders, disordered eating, and their complications. They can support body image and nutrition-related concerns by offering diagnosis and treatment of an eating disorder, food allergy, nutrition deficiency, and more. Learn more and schedule a Nutrition Services appointment.
  • Nutrition Counseling: Meet with an RD/RDN (Registered dietitian/nutritionist) from Well-Being at Stanford to understand and explore your unique nutritional needs. An appointment can address your nutrition-related concerns such as health management, disordered eating or eating disorders, high blood cholesterol, and digestive problems. Learn how Nutrition Counseling can support you. 
  • Residential and Dining Enterprises: R&DE Stanford Dining is committed to providing an exceptional dining experience for all students, staff, and guests with a wide variety of nutritional needs (e.g. food allergies, medical diets, vegan/vegetarianism, healthy eating). They can provide support for your nutrition-related concerns by offering 1-on-1 nutrition consultations, accommodations, and more. Learn how R&DE can support you.
  • How is Life Tree(ting) You?: Building a Healthy Relationship with Food The Flourish, May 2023: Discover ways to help you prioritize your relationship with food, including mindful eating, normalizing different nutritional needs, and seeking professional help if needed.

Additional Resources

  • Mindful Eating Harvard Health Publishing: This resource provides insights into the practice of mindful eating, offering strategies to help individuals savor their food and make more mindful choices. 
  • National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA): NEDA provides support, resources, and education to those affected by eating disorders, and can be a valuable resource for understanding and improving one’s relationship with food.
  • Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: This site offers evidence-based nutrition information and can help students make informed choices about their diet and understand the nutritional value of different foods.