This Q&A series explores personal perspectives and experiences related to weight, nutrition, and overall health. Through candid conversations, we seek to understand individuals’ motivations for managing their weight, the evolution of their thoughts over time, and the overall impact that their weight-related journey has on all aspects of their lives.
Erin Palinski-Wade is a four-time author, registered dietitian, certified diabetes educator, certified personal trainer, and widely respected diabetes and nutrition media expert. But that’s not all! Erin is also a busy mom of three who believes in progress, not perfection. and scientific advisor to MyFitnessPal.
After years of struggling with body image and the scale, Palinski-Wade is taking a stand and choosing health over perfection. In our chat, Palinski-Wade shares this transformational journey and how saying goodbye to guilt and hello to optimal nutrition changed her life. Plus, she shares some of her favorite recipes that make her feel good from the inside out.
Q&A with Erin Palinski-Wade-RD
Why should you care about your weight? What made you want to manage it?
I try not to focus on specific numbers, but more on my best form, energy and strength. Not only does this help my long-term health, but it also allows me to be the best version of myself for my family.
What are your current nutrition and/or weight related goals?
My main goal is to stay as healthy and active as possible for my family. My goal is to create a positive relationship with food for my children and emphasize nutrient-dense foods and physical activity.
How have your views on weight changed over the years? What triggered these changes?
My mindset has shifted from focusing on numbers to understanding the importance of body composition and nutrition. The change was triggered by studying nutrition at university and experiencing pregnancy.
Have you had to overcome any body image expectations or unhelpful mindsets?
Yes, it took time and a lot of inner work for me to trust my body and improve my relationship with it, moving from a “thin at all costs” mentality to “healthy, strong, and feeling like the best version of myself.”
What have you learned and/or discovered about yourself during your weight-related journey?
There is a link between perfectionistic traits and weight gain. People need to make space for failure and move from an “all or nothing” mentality to seeing failure as a teaching moment.
What improvements did you notice before reaching your weight goal?
Once I started focusing more on how I felt rather than my perfect weight, everything improved. My energy levels, mood, and stress levels improved, and my relationship with food became healthier.
How do you balance a positive body attitude with working towards your weight-related goals?
I focus not just on one number, but on multiple measures of overall health, including body composition, waist circumference, energy levels, blood pressure, cholesterol, stress levels, strength and fitness.
What are your current eating habits?
I don’t follow a set “diet” and instead focus on eating nutrient-dense foods that I enjoy, with an emphasis on fiber and protein.
What small changes or techniques in your daily routine can make it easier to maintain healthy habits?
My daily focus is to drink enough water, eat enough fiber, and get enough protein. This simplifies my diet and allows me to achieve all of my health/nutrition goals.
Have you discovered any cool recipes or foods that help you feel good from the inside out?
Yes, I love finding ways to make desserts more nutritious. Some of my favorites are High Protein Cake Pops, Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies, and Keto Peanut Brittle.
Interesting facts: You can search and save over 2,000 recipes in the MyFitnessPal app.
How do you cope with difficult times when you feel like you’re not making progress toward your weight goals?
When times like these come, I shift my goals to areas such as body image, energy levels, nutrition, and health. Small adjustments in these areas often result in weight improvements as well.
How do you handle it when you make a less-than-healthy choice or break a routine?
Instead of blaming myself, I tried to understand why this happened and learn from it.
What’s your nutritional status like throughout the day?
My days vary, but I usually eat 3 meals and 2-3 snacks. I start the day with a protein-rich breakfast and plan to include fruits or vegetables and lean protein at each meal.
Learn more about Palinski-Wade by visiting her website or following her on Instagram.
