THE ONTARIO LAWYERS’ ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

The Importance of Good Eating

By Leota Embleton, Program Manager Ontario Lawyers' Assistance Program

Lawyers lead very busy lifestyles that often contribute to less than optimal eating habits.  The long hours, the pressure to produce, the catered functions, the business lunches, the rush to balance personal and family needs and bad eating habits make it difficult for lawyers to give attention to their health.

Two major reasons to choose a healthy diet

• To function optimally (physically, mentally and emotionally) our bodies need the right nutrients
• There is growing evidence of the roles of specific food components in prevention of diseases such as heart disease, cancers and stress related disorders

Although most people recognize that it is important to maintain a healthy diet, it is often difficult to follow through with good intentions. This can be especially challenging for women lawyers.

• Organizing and balancing time and personal priorities
• Society’s ideal of thinness
• The use of food to cope with stress

The key is to create healthier habits that contribute to healthier eating and consider the following steps. 

• Assess what you are doing now.  Take a few minutes to reflect on your eating patterns and what is good and what needs some change.
• Make any changes gradually—sudden changes in patterns seldom work.
• Plan ahead and experiment with new foods.  There is a wide range of foods available but we are sometimes reluctant to try different foods.  Get out of the same food rut.
• Take time to enjoy what you eat.  Eating in a rush takes away from the enjoyment one should experience.
• Take a few seconds before eating to think about the food you are going to eat.  Notice the texture, smell, origin and be thankful.  Think about why you chose that particular selection.
• Be aware of your body and listen when it tells you to eat and also when you have had enough.  Often people eat more than necessary just because it is there. 
• Take a look at Canada’s Food Guide from time to time.  This will help you be aware of what you need for healthy eating.

Think about it—it will help you and your practice!

This information is taken in part from a presentation at the OBAP Women’s Wellness and Balance Group Luncheon January 16, 2003 by Patricia Kelly.  Patricia Kelly is a psychotherapist and dietitian and director of New Realities Eating Disorders Recovery Centre.  For more information contact www.newrealitiescan.com

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