What do we do when we find ourselves hating what we see when we look in the mirror? What about when we find ourselves obsessed with food and food rules our entire lives and thoughts? Well, as Ali Bonar (also known as The AvoKween) and I talk about in this episode of The SociEATy Podcast, it is important to remember that nutrition is about more than just what's on your plate! We have to trust our bodies when they try to tell us what they want. This is what it means to eat intuitively!

Ali, the founder of Kween and host of the Kweencast podcast, shares with us her history of struggling with how she perceived her body and how obsessed with food that she was. Like members of The SociEATy, Ali worked toward conquering these problems by beginning a journey toward intuitive eating, and she and I chat about the positive changes that she has enjoyed as a result!

She also provides helpful tips for those of you who might be in the early stages of your intuitive eating journeys and aren't sure how to proceed. She touches upon the concept of body neutrality, and she stresses how important that it is to be in touch with our feelings and to not be afraid of them, even when they are unpleasant. Acknowledging our feelings and allowing ourselves to feel them paves the way toward seeking help when we need it, and there is absolutely no shame in seeking professional help, as Ali did on her journey.

In addition, Ali discusses her granola butter company, Kween, sharing with us how she got the inspiration for it and how her vision for it became a reality. Trust me, it's absolutely delicious, and you're going to want to head over to Kween's online store to grab yourself a jar! You'll thank me later! Also be sure to check Ali out on Instagram and hit us up to share your own stories and ideas! We would love to hear from you!

 

Time Stamps

[1:07] - Colleen introduces this episode's guest, Ali the AvoKween.

[1:46] – Ali thanks Colleen and provides us with some background information about herself such as when her struggles with food began.

[4:12] – Colleen introduces the episode's topic, how to have fun with food again.

[5:24] – Ali delves deeper into how her obsession with food started and the kind of negative effect that social media has on youth today.

[10:56] – We learn how Ali's obsession with food and her eating disorder led to her feeling isolated and depressed.

[15:03] – Colleen reflects on the importance of recognizing what else is going on in our lives, since food is often used to distract us from things that we aren't dealing with.

[16:38] – Ali elaborates on how her mindset and her behavior have changed ever since starting to eat intuitively.

[19:37] – Ali explains why it was initially difficult for her to talk about her negative feelings but eventually did, reaching out to health coach Molly Alliman.

[26:11] – Colleen offers the insight that some food nourishes our souls while other food nourishes our bodies.

[27:19] – We discover how Ali's granola butter company, Kween, was born and how she got the idea for it.

[36:16] – Ali talks about how learning to eat intuitively is about unlearning what society has taught you, and Colleen agrees enthusiastically.

[37:21] – Ali offers a couple of helpful tips to those of us journeying toward intuitive eating, such as viewing your body neutrally and seeking help from a professional.

 

Links and Resources

Colleen Christensen Nutrition – Website

The SociEATy – Website

Colleen's Instagram Page

The SociEATy's Instagram Page

Ali's Instagram Page

Kween's Instagram Page

Kweencast's Instagram Page

Kween - Website

Molly Alliman's Instagram Page