Break Free from Diets This Summer

Summer is seen by some as the season for strict diets, juice cleanses, and chasing the elusive “beach body”. Firstly, we think that all bodies are beach bodies, and secondly we want to challenge summer diets and starvation - and instead see summer as the perfect opportunity to slow down, reset your eating habits, and reconnect with your body in a kinder, more sustainable way.

At Eatiful, we believe in eating mindfully - but not eating ‘perfectly’. And the warm, relaxed, food-filled months of summer offer the ideal conditions to start.

1. Summer is naturally slower so use that to your advantage

Longer days and a more relaxed pace mean we’re already stepping out of our usual routines. That makes it easier to introduce new habits like:

• Taking a moment for self love and appreciation

• Sitting down to eat without distractions

• Eating slowly enough to notice how it makes you feel

• Noticing when you feel satisfied

2. It’s easier to eat fresh, light, and seasonal

Summer food is perfect for mindful eating. Fresh fruit, crunchy salads, juicy tomatoes, grilled veggies  - are foods that naturally invite you to slow down and savour. You don’t need to count calories or restrict yourself; just enjoy what’s in season, and listen to how it makes you feel.

3. Try new foods without the pressure

Summer is a great time to experiment. Farmers markets, holidays, barbecues, and garden gatherings all expose you to new flavours and traditions. Instead of focusing on what you “shouldn’t” eat, explore what you can enjoy:

• Ever tried grilled peaches with yogurt?

• How about a colourful Mediterranean mezze plate?

• Or grilled octopus - like I tried last week in Italy?

4. Let go of diet rules at social events

Social gatherings often trigger panic for dieters: “What will I eat? How will I stay on plan?” But when you stop dieting, the stress melts away. You’re free to enjoy food, and your friends and family without obsessing over carbs or calories.

5. Use summer to build habits that last

You don’t need a “perfect plan.” You need a way of eating that works in real life - and that means learning to:

• Eat when you’re hungry, not just because food is there

• Pause mid-meal to check in with your body

• Stop eating when you’re full, even if there’s food left

These are the habits that helped me lose 85 pounds / 6 stones / 38 kg and keep it off.

A Challenge For You.

Try this for 5 days this summer:

✅ Take a moment to focus on self acceptance and self-love

✅ Eat without distractions (no phones!)

✅ Chew every bite slowly

✅ Try one new food or flavour each day

✅ Check in mid-meal: “Am I still hungry?”

✅ Stop when satisfied