Paula Norris @Moving Dietitian
I’m Paula Norris, AKA Moving Dietitian and I have been an Accredited Dietitian and Nutritionist for 14 years.
As a teen and in my early 20’s I obsessed over food with thoughts like:
What would my next meal be?
How much would I need to exercise to ‘burn off’ a ‘bad’ snack or meal?
I tried cutting out food groups (bye-bye gluten and dairy). I counted calories and for a while had just steamed vegetables for dinner.
Not ideal.
What my research revealed
Then I studied nutrition and dietetics.
Over this time and shortly after my studies, volume eating kept turning up as the right approach and it aligned with the philosophy that I wanted to take in regards to eating.
Through volume eating, I was able to eat in a way that managed my hunger, without going overboard on calories.
Volume eating also allowed me to consume all of the nutrients I needed.
Because of this, I was freed from excessive thoughts about food. I no longer avoided any foods or whole food groups (a massive relief given my love of pasta and cheese).
And I stopped obsessing over my next meal.
Not only this but exercise changed from being a punishment to being about enjoyment and long term health.
Yes, my approach to eating allows me to enjoy some wine and chocolate.
Volume eating, the approach I still take today
Volume eating is the approach I still take.
It’s also what I discuss most on my Instagram page which currently has a following of 119,000 people.
It is important to find the approach that suits you, your food preferences and your lifestyle but this was and still is mine.
Over time, I created good habits around eating and learned to eat intuitively by really tuning in to my hunger signals. This took time, knowledge and patience but the habits I ingrained created who I am now.
I enjoy living a healthy lifestyle but I also enjoy what I eat and drink without any obsessive or self-critical thoughts. This freedom is regardless of whether I am consuming a hearty salad, a tasty dessert, a steak with veg or a glass of wine. All of it is guilt free.
