The Best Health Lesson I Learned From My Dad

When it comes to health and wellness, I’ve learned so much from my dad over the years. But it turns out, one great health lesson was hiding amongst all other lessons he’s always taught: be yourself and do you!

Father’s Day is a comin’… (HINT HINT… it’s Sunday!), so there’s no better time to chat about the papa bears in our lives!

My dad gives my mom all the credit for raising my two brothers and me, but I’d be remiss not to mention the immense influence my dad has had in my life… especially when it comes to my perspective on health.

The best parents, I think, lead by example. Maybe I think this because my parents are incredible and the best examples I have for when I one day (not too soon, don’t rush me, Mom!) become a parent myself. It’s not always in the outright lessons that we’re taught, but in the subtle day-to-day cues we’re given.

For as long as I can remember, and in all the stories I hear from when he was a teenager onward, my dad has been fiercely independent. He’s always marched to the beat of his own drum. So, when it comes to his health (and diet), it’s no surprise that he’s always done his own thing too.

But it wasn’t until about 6 years ago when I saw a drastic shift in the way my dad approached his health. In efforts to help me, my heavily carnivorous dad adopted a plant-based, vegan diet. We watched Forks Over Knives and he couldn’t believe the environmental impact meat consumption has on our planet. As a “tree hugger” (as we like to call him) from day 1, this obviously struck a chord.

(You can check out my experience as a vegan here!)

In addition to the health benefits – lower risk of cancer, heart disease, etc. – my dad was hooked. Six years later, he’s still a vegan.

Staying committed to a plant-based lifestyle, however, isn’t the lesson I’ve learned from my dad. Sure, I want everyone to eat more plants to feel their best, but by now, you probably realize that I have a strong “all foods fit” mentality when it comes to food and nutrition. I think you can have your burger AND lentil salad too!

The biggest health lesson I learned from my dad…

HOWEVER, what I learned from my dad’s vegan “experiment” (as we called it for so long) is that when it comes to your health and diet, you have to do what’s best for YOU.

My parents always encouraged me to “be yourself…” If someone else didn’t like it, well, that’s on them, as long as I was kind and well-mannered. Well, Dad, you’ve exemplified that through food… my favorite language!  

When it comes to what we eat, we have to make the best choices for ourselves. Although my dad’s a vegan and wears the title proudly, he didn’t make anyone else in the family feel bad for not eating that way. In fact, he still grills ribs at our family barbecues and makes me grilled salmon every time I’m home because he knows it’s one of my favorites!

He respects my dietary choices and allows me to “do me,” just as much as I encourage him to “do him.”

When our diets are influenced by the latest fad or “coolest thing” around us, we don’t always make the best choices for ourselves. That’s one of the reasons I really don’t care for diet labels. Aside from food allergies, who cares that you’re a vegan or vegetarian or whatever else? Boxing yourself into a little box can feel restrictive.

Then what happens when you have a craving for something else?

When it comes to what you eat, DO YOU. You don’t need to answer to anyone else.

I share my What I Ate Wednesdays every week on Instagram just to show you how I make healthy eating fun. Not because I’m telling you that YOU need to eat exactly what I do. Maybe I eat too much for you, or too little. Maybe I don’t eat enough protein for what YOUR body needs… but I am definitely eating right for ME.

Taking the time to focus on how your body reacts to food, what makes you feel your best – physically, emotionally, mentally, creatively – are all important when deciding what to feed yourself. It doesn’t matter what or when those around you are eating. YOU are the only one who has to live with how your body feels when you eat a certain way.

But I get it… it can be hard to be fiercely independent in your food choices. That’s why study after study shows that our eating behavior is influenced by those around us. Sure, part of it has to do with mindfulness around food, but a large part of it also has to do with peer pressure, in a way.

So the next time you’re thinking about adopting a new dietary lifestyle because your coworkers are doing it, or your parents started something new, I want you to take a step back before smacking on that label. We don’t need a “Hi my name is… VEGAN” label. Just be yourself and do you.

If you’re unsure what is best for you, I encourage you to seek help from a qualified professional who values individuality in diet, wellness, and lifestyle. I’d love to work with you – schedule your free initial consultation today!