The Center for Student Wellness believes in taking an intuitive eating approach to nutrition. This means giving oneself permission to listen to one’s inner wisdom about food, eat in a flexible and attuned manner, and honor internal hunger cues, satiety, and appetite.
The Center for Student Wellness believes in taking an intuitive eating approach to nutrition. This means giving oneself permission to listen to one’s inner wisdom about food, eat in a flexible and attuned manner, and honor internal hunger cues, satiety, and appetite. We acknowledge that culture influences values, beliefs, and practices related to food, and that some do not have unlimited access to all food choices. We help students navigate “diet culture” and understand how weight and body image intersect with nutrition. By celebrating body diversity we can honor differences in size, age, race, ethnicity, gender, dis/ability, and other human attributes. We support students in making food choices that are in line with what they find satisfying, accessible and fueling for their body, not to change weight.
In the Center for Student Wellness, we believe that positive body image is not a destination you get to, rather, a stop along the journey. Body Image is a construct formed from our behaviors, thoughts, feelings and self- perceptions, and it occurs on a spectrum. Everyone’s body is different and everyone is at a different place along the body image spectrum which may challenge daily. We encourage our students to check-in, listen, and trust their bodies with the ultimate goal of treating their body with respect, even if they feel negatively about it.
Nutrition Key Messages
Give yourself permission to eat foods that are satisfying and fueling for your body.
Who you are isn’t dictated by your body size or shape; celebrate body diversity.
Understand cultural and social influences on food choices; get a variety of foods, ranging from veggies to dessert, each day.
This means on average, 3 meals and 2 snacks per day for most college students, acknowledging this depends on food access.
Body Image Key Messages
Practice body respect by challenging, accepting, and caring for your body by engaging in healthful behaviors.
Our story changes! Cultivate confidence in your body by practicing positive body-talk, and thanking your body daily for how it functions, looks, and serves you.
Seek satisfaction with your body by dressing comfortably, and accepting your body regardless of beauty standards.
Set boundaries with and hold accountable yourself and others around body talk; question norms and share body-respectful messages with friends and family.
Discover
What messages do you receive around caring for your BODY? Listen to a variety of perspectives, from experts and peers, and consider how it relates to your experiences.
Hear from an expert
Confessions of a D Girl: Colorism and Global Standards of Beauty
If you look like me, you’re used to colorism, says Stanford Graduate Business School student Chika Okoro. She calls the phenomenon known as colorism – discrimination against those with a darker skin tone -- “both as sinister and as subtle as racism.” In a world where light skin, light eyes and long “real” hair are sought after features, Okoro tells us how she copes, and what we can do to unlearn this deep rooted, destructive mindset.
More perspectives
Video: Trust Your Hunger & Make Peace with Food
Podcast: The Body Is Not an Apology
Podcast: How Anti-Dieting Works
BC Podcast: Nutrition @ BC
BC Blog: The Art of Eating
Explore
How do you care for your BODY? Engage in these reflective activities to discover what works best for you. To strengthen your relationship with food and your body:
Eat Intuitively
Do you have food rules? Do you find yourself constantly thinking about food and your body? Complete this worksheet to find out if you’re struggling with food rules and if so, where they came from and ways to challenge them. Learn what intuitive eating means here and what is normal eating.
Weight is not Worth
Have you ever caught yourself repeatedly checking the parts of your body with which you feel dissatisfied? Body checking often makes us feel in control, but it erodes our self confidence. If you notice you’re body checking try to state 3 things you’re thankful for regarding your body (i.e ability to walk) or 3 personal characteristics (i.e personality traits). If you choose to write down these positive affirmations of yourself or something you like about your body, post them where you can see them, and reflect on how changing the narrative impacts how you feel about yourself.
Eat Whole and Fun Foods
Give yourself permission to eat all foods and say goodbye to the diet mentality. Notice how you feel. Learn more about balanced eating here.
Get Enough Fuel
Make an effort to eat food from 2-3 food groups every 3-4 hours, using the Balanced Plate and Snacking Handout . Notice how eating nourishes your body, and affects your mood, energy level, movement, concentration, and sleep. We acknowledge it can be challenging to get enough fuel, and adjust to new dining options.
Live
What do you need to do to care for your mind (or body, or soul) and live well? Sign up to meet with a Wellness Coach to reflect on your current wellbeing and set goals that feel achievable to you.
Let's Talk More...
We want to help you find joy in your journey, wherever you’re at. We have many resources within Center for Student Wellness and throughout campus to continue this conversation—we’re here to listen, reflect, and help you set and achieve health goals that feel intuitive, sustainable, and balanced.
Meet with a Peer Wellness Coach
Engage in a conversation about your health and wellness goals related to caring for your body - in the areas of sleep and general health, body image and exercise, and alcohol and other drugs!
Visit bc.edu/wellnesscoach to schedule your Wellness Coaching session and learn about each type of appointment, or use the links below to sign up directly through google calendar.