Introducing the Food as Medicine Journal, an introspective series on the unique experiences of food as medicine, the guiding philosophy at Provenance Meals. To us, the kitchen is our pharmacy and the most effective way to improve well-being and heal your body without doctors or prescriptions. This is a platform to explore how the traditional dogma of ‘food as medicine’ is being manifested today across cultures in the modern world, featuring guest writers who share their personal interpretations, histories, and practices. Joining us for the inaugural entry is Christina Yannello, skin and body-positivity advocate and owner of Bare Faced Femme. Outside her career in real estate, this New Yorker cultivates an uplifting atmosphere for her online community to help others build self-confidence and foster healthy well-being.
For as long back as I can remember, I have always had a difficult relationship with food. I can clearly remember my first grade classmate telling me that I had “thunder thighs.” I would feel so insecure. Whenever I ate around people all I could think about was how they were judging me. However, as I got older, I have been able to re-define my relationship with food in a healthier manner.
I reformulated my relationship with food by allowing myself to be on a journey. I slowed down, gave myself space to learn to adapt to my new lifestyle changes. I had always “failed” at dieting and I decided I wanted to make a long term commitment to myself, using food as medicine.
Food influences our health: the connection between what we eat and our physical health is apparent. You are what you eat! I use food as a way to nourish my body and my soul. Yet, as much as I try to eat whole, nutritious, clean ingredients, I am also a foodie and love to indulge. I happily eat clean majority of the time because I strike a balance and don’t restrict myself from ordering a burger, or tacos, or that slice of chocolate cake on occasion.
Meanwhile, diet culture is everywhere. The word “diet” has a negative connotation, as it is mostly used to describe a “lifestyle change;” yet, if your lifestyle change entails rigid eating rules, you’re flat out on a diet. Dieting became so psychological to me. I would think of it as restricting me from the majority of the food I love so much, so it would trick me into craving all the sweets and treats I love. This counter-intuitive mindset taught me that in order to find peace on my food journey, it is of the utmost importance to no longer feel guilty about indulging and to allow myself to enjoy all food.
While struggling with severe acne, I researched many ways on how to heal your skin and what causes breakouts — one of which is food. I stayed away from the popular ones like all dairy products: yogurt, milk, and cheese at first. As my skin got worse I discovered that oil could break you out, which resulted in me going on an oil-free diet. I was so desperate I would try anything; when I was breaking out severely, right before going on Accutane, I went vegan. During this time, becoming vegan was difficult for me, therefore it lasted for a whopping ten days. I gave up on Thanksgiving; c’mon, the Turkey and mashed potatoes were so hard to resist.
As I reflect, I now realize that I was in a state so desperate for answers I deprived my body of many essential nutrients. Little did I know that as I was too preoccupied with taking care of my skin, I failed to prioritize taking care of my whole physical health including my hair, my eyes, and my emotional health. In order to function at my peak and feel my best, my body requires essential fatty acids and omegas that come from healthy fats like oils — which I had believed to be the culprit of the physical state of my skin.
As a twenty-two year old, born and raised New Yorker, we are constantly moving and living. In order for me to live fully, eating for nutrition and enjoyment has been my biggest key to feeling my best. When I have the opportunity to model for brands, I make sure to drink lots of water and enjoy a full meal so I can have energy on set, have increased mental alertness, therefore I am able to deliver on shots and take directions the best I can. When I am not creating content, I work in real estate. In this demanding field, it is so important for me to feel energized and ready for anything so I have the energy to accomplish what the day entails. I am prone to “hangry-ness,” so I always make sure to have a snack on me — almonds are always on-hand!
Practicing food as medicine has made such a profound difference in my life. I not only have a more positive outlook, but I have never felt my best in my entire life. If I could tell my 12-year-old self, who was dealing with acne and body insecurities, I would tell her to be patient with your body; our bodies are constantly adapting, take care of it and all will work out as it should.
