Life works best for me when I’m intentional. One of my favorite quotes is “Be sure to taste your words before you spit them out.” (unknown)
There’s a corollary that I regularly fail to heed which is tasting the food as it goes into my mouth. I often eat on the run and without much thought of what I’m eating except that it’s readily available.
In her book, This is Your Body on Trauma, Meg writes, “Food is never just about food; it’s often a reflection of a deeper need for safety, stability, and ventral regulation.” After walking us through the model and research to understand how nutrition, our choices, impacts our central nervous Meg describes the importance of building two toolkits – one to deploy when we’re in survival mode and a second to use when we’re regulated. On an even keel.
This was a huge a-ha for me. I finally saw how my food choices are often responses to stress. Meg’s approach encourages clarity – more care and less judgment. Exactly what I needed to step back and consider some of my default choices, without shame, with wellness – whole body wellness in mind.
Takeaways
Safety is the most important nutrient for the nervous system.
How you eat is as important as what you eat.
Understanding your nervous system state can influence food choices.
Food is often a reflection of deeper needs for safety and stability.
Nutrition requires a personal and nuanced approach.
Creating a safe eating environment can enhance well-being.
The FIGS protocol helps assess individual nutritional needs.
Storytelling and emotional state impact our relationship with food.
Removing shame from food choices is crucial for healing.
Self-care should focus on centering individual needs.
Heads up! This is an episode that has already aired on the How to Share podcast so you may have already listened to it.
Here’s Meg’s fascinating perspective on how food is often a reflection of our deeper needs:
Looking for a compelling author interview and a great newpsychological thriller to add to your reading list? In this episode of Sharing the Heart of the Matter, P. J. Gudka joins us to discuss her debut novel, Perfect, a psychological domestic thriller centered on family secrets, generationaltrauma, perfectionism, and moral complexity. We talk about her transition from poetry to fiction, how she built layered and relatable characters, and why empathy matters so much in storytelling. P. J. also shares insights into the writing process, self-publishing, the power of the writing community, and what she’s working on next.If you enjoy book podcasts, author interviews, psychological thrillers, and conversations about creativity, this episode isone you won’t want to miss.Links for this episode:Transcript: Episode 134: Perfect with P.J. Gudka transcriptPurchase "Perfect": Amazon.com: Perfect eBook : Gudka, P. J. : Kindle StorePooja's Blog: Lifesfinewhine – The Life & Ramblings Of A ZillennialFrom the hosts:Vicki’s new book – a ghost story, Slivers. Her book about resilience and love: Surviving Sue; Blog: https://victoriaponders.com/Wynne's blog: Surprised by Joy and podcast: The Life of Try
13 thoughts on “Episode 128: “This is Your Body on Trauma” with Author Meg Bowman”
Such a powerful book and an important conversation. I’ve referenced Meg’s book several times since we talked with her. Supportive, informative…so good! ❤️❤️❤️
Interesting conversation. Food really is a reflection of deeper needs. You write about eating on thee we run but I know for me food really is a substitute for other things: needing to slow down, safety, just being. Good stuff Wynne!
When Meg pointed out that many things she taught ten years ago were now debunked, I immediately thought of the Food Pyramid that became outdated due to flawed science. Good luck to you, Meg. Straighten those scientists out! Great interview Vickie and Wynne. 🙂
This was a great interview. A long time ago, I was told to always take 3 deep breaths before you start eating to tune into yourself and the food you’re consuming. Of course, I often forget this advice. So much of what Meg says makes sense, like safety being the most important nutrient for the nervous system….
Wow – 3 deep breaths seems like such a good idea, Rose. I’m going to try to remember that. I agree that what she says just makes sense! Thanks for tuning in!
The lines below resonate, Wynne and Vicki, and this is another conversation I look forward to listening to.
“This was a huge a-ha for me. I finally saw how my food choices are often responses to stress. Meg’s approach encourages clarity – more care and less judgment.”
I use more care now, but the past would say otherwise. 🙂 Thanks to you all! ❤️
Lovely and insightful conversation, Wynne and Vicki. So important to draw the connections between nutrition and lifestyle with our health – and how stress plays a vital role in it. It’s definitely work to find that right formula and balance but it’s so worth it. I enjoyed this conversation on my first workout in a few weeks – definitely been stress and busy filled – and you inspired me to change my post workout lunch to a healthier option. 🤣
I’m a fan of the word self care – but also understand it’s not for everyone – and listening to this episode was a nice moment of self care. So thank you!
The Heart of the Matter 
Such a powerful book and an important conversation. I’ve referenced Meg’s book several times since we talked with her. Supportive, informative…so good! ❤️❤️❤️
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I look forward to this conversation and have worked most of my adult life to be cognizant of mindful eating with mixed results
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Mixed results — I hear you on that, Beth! I hope you enjoy this conversation. Meg is brilliant!
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Interesting conversation. Food really is a reflection of deeper needs. You write about eating on thee we run but I know for me food really is a substitute for other things: needing to slow down, safety, just being. Good stuff Wynne!
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What a thoughtful comment, Brian. Well said!
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Oh I’m winging it Wynne. If my comments are thoughtful in any way, it’s by pure coincidence! A special kind of tgiving miracle!🫣🤦🏼♂️🤭🤭🤭😎
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When Meg pointed out that many things she taught ten years ago were now debunked, I immediately thought of the Food Pyramid that became outdated due to flawed science. Good luck to you, Meg. Straighten those scientists out! Great interview Vickie and Wynne. 🙂
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What an incredible example, Nancy! Exactly. I love the way you listen so deeply. Thank you for the great comment!
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This was a great interview. A long time ago, I was told to always take 3 deep breaths before you start eating to tune into yourself and the food you’re consuming. Of course, I often forget this advice. So much of what Meg says makes sense, like safety being the most important nutrient for the nervous system….
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow – 3 deep breaths seems like such a good idea, Rose. I’m going to try to remember that. I agree that what she says just makes sense! Thanks for tuning in!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The lines below resonate, Wynne and Vicki, and this is another conversation I look forward to listening to.
“This was a huge a-ha for me. I finally saw how my food choices are often responses to stress. Meg’s approach encourages clarity – more care and less judgment.”
I use more care now, but the past would say otherwise. 🙂 Thanks to you all! ❤️
LikeLike
Lovely and insightful conversation, Wynne and Vicki. So important to draw the connections between nutrition and lifestyle with our health – and how stress plays a vital role in it. It’s definitely work to find that right formula and balance but it’s so worth it. I enjoyed this conversation on my first workout in a few weeks – definitely been stress and busy filled – and you inspired me to change my post workout lunch to a healthier option. 🤣
I’m a fan of the word self care – but also understand it’s not for everyone – and listening to this episode was a nice moment of self care. So thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love this topic- great episode!
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