Why label your diet?

Lately, I’ve been asked a lot about my style of eating. Because I post a lot of plant-based dishes on social media, I am often asked if I am a vegan, or assumed that I am. I prefer to post plant-based options because of the health and environmental benefits of eating a diet based on plant foods. These are foods that I enjoy cooking and eating at home, and while I do eat these foods often, I do not like to label myself in this way. Not because I don’t agree with what veganism stands for (compassion for animals, concern for the environment, etc), but because labeling how I eat can add a sense of restriction or deprivation to my food choices. I have labeled my eating in the past- vegetarian, pescatarian, vegan, etc. But these days I choose not to, because why should it really matter?

Putting labels on how I choose to eat can make it feel like a set of rules. And a set of rules around eating is….yep, a DIET! If I labeled myself as a vegan, I may feel guilty for wanting to eat cheese or meat and not allow myself to eat what I really want, therefore adding unnecessary stress around food. Without labels, I don’t feel guilty enjoying the foods I want or for choosing which foods I don’t want to eat.

Bottom line is: Eat what tastes good and makes you feel good and don’t feel the need to put a label on it if it doesn’t feel right to you.

Dianna