I have been fascinated with the art and science of wellness for as long as I can remember. Growing up, my dad routinely infused nutrition and movement into our daily lives – no small feat as a single dad on a tight budget. Dinner was often a home-cooked meal; fast food was a rare treat. We rode our bikes everywhere possible, danced around the living room, and walked each evening after dinner. Sleep was prioritized, along with open communication and daily inspirational readings. We didn’t call it self-care back then, but that was the environment my dad created for the two of us.
As a registered dietitian and nutrition journalist for the past twenty-plus years, I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to support the wellness journey of so many others. I’m especially grateful to and Avenue and my colleague and friend, Melanie Warner Spencer, for creating this Wellness column – and thankful that they are trusting me to take it from here.
Through my work with thousands of clients over the years, I’ve learned what motivates us, what drives us – and what can threaten to pull us off track in spite of our best efforts and intentions.
I’ve also learned that this concept of ‘wellbeing’ looks different for everyone. My mission is to guide and support each of you in living your strongest, healthiest life possible – whatever that may look like for you.
To me, wellness is that beautiful space where we consciously – and subconsciously – choose behaviors that support our physical health, while also nourishing our emotional, spiritual, social and environmental wellbeing.”
Living a life centered on wellness is an ever-evolving process, one that is supported by science, with fascinating research and data emerging practically daily. There’s always so much intriguing stuff that I’m learning and immersing in, and each month I’ll share a snapshot, summing up the latest research and what it means for you.
We have such a limited amount of time and energy, it’s essential that we dedicate our focus to what’s truly worth exploring more deeply. There’s a lot to learn, and so many resources available – which also means it can be easy to feel overwhelmed by the 24/7 information flow.
I’m also aware that there’s a hefty bit of fear mongering out there – sometimes from well-meaning credentialed experts, but more often from non-credentialed lay people looking to capitalize on our insecurities and vulnerabilities.
It’s easy to fall into an all-or-nothing mindset, driven by what we think we ‘should’ do and what we ‘should’ avoid, whether it’s carbs, sugars, foods with more than three ingredients – the list goes on. Problem is, it’s hard to stick with such a rigid regimen, and too often, our pendulum swings to the other side, setting us up for a roller coaster lifestyle of on-again, off-again wellness.
I find that it’s especially hard to stay motivated if the consequences seem so far removed from where we are right now. The allure of decadent dessert, savory pizza or pasta, just one more cocktail – or whatever your temptation du jour might be – can feel just so compelling, so much more powerful than our desire to drop those extra pounds, or to offset our odds of developing heart disease, high blood pressure or insulin resistance.
If you’ve been using fear – or even simply avoidance of a negative consequence – as a motivator, consider shifting your mindset. Instead, focus on how you’re choosing to nourish your body. Pay attention to how these choices impact your energy, cravings – even mood – almost immediately.
Processed carbs and/or added sugars, for example, hit our pleasure centers instantly, sparking a rush that’s often followed by a crash, leaving us exhausted, anxious, and craving a nap – or at least more carbs.
Thinking of nutrition in terms of how we’ll feel – right now – can make it easier to pass over the waffles with syrup and opt for the omelet with whole grain toast instead, have a square of very-dark chocolate instead of a rich brownie or cake, or feel satisfied with a splash of cream in your coffee versus a sugary sweet coffee shop concoction.
There will always be the occasion when we choose something not because it’s the nutritious option, but because it is psychologically or emotionally satisfying, or unique to a specific holiday or event. It’s about making a conscious choice when we do want to indulge, instead of an autopilot reaction just because it’s there.
And when we do make this conscious choice, it’s with no judgment, no sense of regret or guilt that we ‘should’ have made another choice.
Ultimately, as part of our mindset shift, I encourage you to focus on positivity – positivity in terms of how we choose to spend our time, fill our minds, and fuel our bodies. And using this drive for positivity to inspire and motivate us to make wellness-centered choices a regular and consistent part of our lives.
It’s one of the few things that’s completely free and largely within our control, with so much potential benefit, and so little risk.
About Molly
Molly Kimball is a registered dietitian, board certified as a specialist in sports dietetics by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. She is the Director of Lifestyle Nutrition at Ochsner Health and the founder of Eat Fit nonprofit initiative, where she and her team of dietitians work with restaurants and foodservice outlets across the state to develop & identify nutritious items on menus.
Molly is often quoted in national media outlets, including Vogue, The New York Times, Newsweek, and CNN.com. She’s the nutrition expert for New Orleans’ ABC affiliate WGNO, with weekly TV segments on WGNO’s Good Morning New Orleans. And you can catch her podcast, FUELED wellness + nutrition, where she dives deeper into the science and the stories to educate and inspire.
She has authored two books, “The Eat Fit Cookbook: Chef Inspired Recipes for the Home” (River Road Press, 2019), and “Craft: The Eat Fit Guide to Zero Proof Cocktails” (Pelican Publishing, 2022).
In the coming months we’ll be covering a wide range of topics, from the true impact of ultra-processed foods on our mental health to the whole-body benefits of going alcohol-free for a while. I also want to get to know you and understand your challenges. Always know that you can reach out with questions, requests, ideas, and anything related to wellness
and nutrition that you want to know more about by emailing me at wellness@myneworleans.com.
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