Nutrition is Self-Care

Food often gets a bad rap. Weight loss in America is a billion dollar industry, and it thrives off of our insecurities more than it does evidence-based health. Sadly, lost in much of this messaging is the simple fact that every single body deserves food. Food is necessary fuel for health, wealth, and life.

Anyone who has spent more than an hour with me knows that I love food. I enjoy food so much that it is how over 20 years of my career, a specialty in obesity medicine, was born. Most people who know me well also know that I should never be left hungry. A hungry Dr. Amy is a hangry, cranky, grouch, with no energy! It makes perfect sense–how can I expect my body and my brain to operate correctly when it is not getting the fuel it needs to do all the things? If we would not expect a car to run without gas, we cannot expect our much more finely-tuned body systems to run without food.

Dr. Amy speaking to a group of behavioral health advocates in the Missouri Capitol.

From the advocacy perspective, knowledge and information, including lived experience, are fuel for those endeavors.  We cannot speak out on behalf of ourselves, our loved ones, and our community without it.  A common hesitation when contemplating becoming active in the advocacy or political realm is feeling uninformed or that no one asked you or cares what you have to say.  We live in a society that has overwhelmingly easy access to information.  In fact, we have so much information that we must be discerning in where our knowledge comes from.  And, as constituents in a democracy, your voice matters simply because it exists, and it is your right to use them as you see fit.  

So, to stay fueled and ready across the board, make sure to consistently eat regularly throughout each day.  One meal a day is not enough.  If you are pressed for time, keep a readily accessible option on hand, such as a prepackaged protein shake.  A good piece of fundamental advocacy knowledge to have is how our government works.  This video is about the federal legislative process, and the majority of states work similarly.  Lastly, each state’s legislature has its own website full of helpful information

Remember, prioritizing yourself is a revolutionary act, and small steps can have a profound impact. Let’s commit to thriving unapologetically—individually and together. Stay tuned for more tips and inspiration in the months ahead!

In solidarity,

Dr. Amy

This is part of Dr. Amy's Self Care Is Political Warfare series. Read the entire series here!