When I am writing or preparing a talk, I often take the time to look up words. Sometimes I look up some of the most basic words just to remind myself of their actual meaning and origin.

Take the ubiquitous word “diet,” for example. People talk about this diet, that diet, dietary interventions, poor diet, healthy diet, being “on” a diet. In the health world, we use this word all of the time but what does it really mean?

According to Merriam Webster, one of the definitions of the word diet is: “habitual nourishment.”

Wow.

Now, when I hear or use this pervasive word, I think of it totally differently. It has made my lectures more meaningful and my work as a health practitioner more effective.

Now, when am talking to someone about his or her diet, I can refer to this definition and ask, “As a habit, how do you nourish yourself?”

In some cases I have had to ask if people actually feel worthy of being nourished. Many times that answer is no, which is the cause of their inability to comply with or adhere to some vital recommendations for their health.

That is where you need to start. Next time you come across the word diet, do yourself a favor and insert the idea of nourishment.

See if this translation makes a difference in caring for yourself.