Why the “Boring Basics” Might Be the Most Spiritual Thing You Do for Your Food Freedom Journey

Ever find yourself praying desperately for a breakthrough… when all you really needed was breakfast?
Yeah. Same, friend. 😅

Here’s the truth that no one warned us about in adulthood:
Most of the transformation you’re praying for doesn’t come from a mountaintop moment. It comes from mastering the gloriously unsexy basics.

In a recent episode of the Faith-Filled Food Freedom Podcast, we dove headfirst into the surprising power of doing the “boring basics”—and why they matter so much more than you think.

So grab your coffee (I know it’s reheated; mine too), get cozy, and let’s talk about the simple, steady habits that help you care for your body, support your mindset, and grow spiritually… even on the days when you’re running on fumes and Jesus take the wheel is your full personality.

What Are the “Boring Basics” in Food Freedom?

Let’s define it upfront, because you and I both know “basics” can mean wildly different things depending on the season you’re in.

The “boring basics” are the simple, consistent habits that—when done regularly—support your:

• Physical well-being
  
  
• Mental and emotional steadiness
  
  
• Spiritual health
  
  
• Food freedom progress
  
  

They’re the chores of recovery and the maintenance work of nourishment. The things that don’t feel monumental, magical, or inspirational… but keep your foundation from cracking under the pressure of life, stress, perfectionism, and diet culture.

These are the habits you might roll your eyes at because they seem too simple… but they’re also the habits your nervous system is begging you to return to.

A Few Examples of “The Basics”

• Eating every 3–4 hours
  
  
• Drinking enough water
  
  
• Going to bed at a reasonable time
  
  
• Moving your body without punishment or pressure
  
  
• Pausing to pray when you feel overwhelmed
  
  
• Giving your brain a break instead of doom-scrolling
  
  
• Challenging a food rule even when it feels small
  
  
• Actually eating breakfast (yes, even if you don’t feel hungry yet)
  
  
• Creating a rough plan for meals so your brain doesn’t spiral
  
  

Not glamorous. But deeply grounding.

These basics create safety for your body, stability for your mind, and space for the Holy Spirit to work.

Why We Resist Doing the Basics (Even Though They Help Us the Most)

If you’re like most of the women I work with, you may be thinking:

“But Brittany, I do NOT have time to stop and make myself a snack when I’m trying to get the kids ready, answer emails, and figure out why the dog is eating Legos.”

And you’re right—life is full.

But if we peel back the layers, the resistance usually comes from a deeper place.

1. We Think Success Should Feel More… Dramatic

We want spiritual fireworks.
We want the big reveal moment.
We want the testimony that starts with, “And then God just removed my struggle!”

But here’s the good news no one tells you:

God often works through the ordinary long before He works through the extraordinary.

Yes, He parts seas.
But He also teaches His people how to gather manna… every. single. morning.

2. We’ve Been Conditioned to Believe Harder = Better

Diet culture told you:

• Sweat more
  
  
• Eat less
  
  
• Push harder
  
  
• Hustle constantly
  
  
• Restrict everything that remotely tastes like joy
  
  

So naturally, when recovery or healing feels simple, it can feel wrong. Like you must be missing something.

Spoiler:
Doing what supports your body isn’t “easy”—it’s wise.

3. The Basics Require Consistency (and That Feels Boring)

Consistency doesn’t give you a dopamine spike.
It doesn't come with applause.
And it definitely doesn’t show up as before-and-after photos.

But consistency does give your body and brain what they need to feel safe enough to heal.

4. We Underestimate Their Impact

You wouldn’t delete the foundations of your house because they “aren’t exciting.”
But many women try to build an entire relationship with food without ever solidifying the basics.

The basics aren’t optional—they’re the infrastructure.

The Science + Spirituality of Boring Basics (Why They Actually Work)

When we strip away the drama and perfectionism, doing the basics helps us heal in 3 huge ways:

1. They Regulate Your Nervous System

Skipping meals, running on caffeine, ignoring hunger cues, and pushing yourself nonstop?
Your nervous system sees that as stress—even if you think you’re “fine.”

Basic, consistent nourishment tells your body:
“You’re safe. I’ll take care of you.”

Safety is what allows your thinking brain to come back online.
Which is what helps reduce:

• Food obsession
  
  
• Body anxiety
  
  
• Urges to restrict or binge
  
  
• Compulsive exercise urges
  
  
• Emotional overwhelm
  
  

2. They Create Predictability Your Body Can Trust

You know those mornings when you look up at 2pm and realize you haven’t eaten anything besides 3 crackers and your toddler’s leftover waffle bite?

Yeah. Your body remembers days like that.

The boring basics give your brain a sense of predictability, which:

• Lowers stress
  
  
• Reduces impulsive food choices
  
  
• Improves decision-making
  
  
• Helps balance hunger/fullness cues
  
  
• Supports hormone regulation
  
  

Predictability = peace.

3. They Make Space for Spiritual Discernment

It’s hard to feel close to God when your body is running on empty.

Sometimes what feels like a spiritual struggle is actually a physiological one:

• You can’t focus in prayer because you’re underfed.
  
  
• You feel disconnected because you’re exhausted.
  
  
• You feel ashamed because your brain is foggy.
  
  

Feeding your body well is not unspiritual—it’s obedient stewardship.

Before Jesus preached, He ate with people.
Before He healed, He rested.
Before He sacrificed everything, He slept in a boat.

God cares about your basic needs.
You’re allowed to care about them too.

How the Basics Played Out in My Own Story (A Real-Life Example)

One morning recently, I was juggling:

• client calls,
  
  
• mom duties,
  
  
• an inbox that felt like it was breeding in the night,
  
  
• and a toddler meltdown that deserved an Oscar.
  
  

And there I was… trying to figure out why I felt anxious, irritable, and spiritually foggy.

Cue the Holy Spirit whispering:
“Girl. You haven’t eaten.”

Whaaaat?!
Not me. The Registered Dietitian. Forgetting to eat.
(Insert laughter from heaven here.)

But just like you, I’m human.
And I have days when the basics take a back seat.

So I made myself a snack.
I drank water.
I took 90 seconds to breathe and pray.

And you know what happened?

The fog cleared.
Peace returned.
I felt like myself again.

That moment wasn’t glamorous.
It didn’t end up on Instagram.
But it changed the entire trajectory of the day.

That’s the power of the basics.

How to Start Doing Your Own “Boring Basics” (Without Overthinking It)

I know you want a plan.
So let’s break this down in a way that feels doable even on your busiest, wildest, “my house looks like a toddler tornado hit it” kind of days.

Step 1: Choose JUST ONE Basic to Focus On

Some examples:

• Eat a real breakfast
  
  
• Set a reminder to drink water
  
  
• Pack a simple snack for work
  
  
• Go to bed 20 minutes earlier
  
  
• Pray as soon as you feel overwhelmed
  
  
• Take a 5-minute walk for mental clarity
  
  
• Sit down to eat instead of multitasking
  
  

Pick one.
Write it down.
Make it your priority for 3–5 days.

Step 2: Make It Stupidly Simple

If it requires:

• 14 steps
  
  
• a color-coded checklist
  
  
• or a full personality transplant
  
  

…it’s not a basic.

Make it so easy you could do it half-asleep.

Examples:

• “Eat breakfast” → yogurt + granola + fruit
  
  
• “Stay hydrated” → fill one big water bottle and finish it by lunch
  
  
• “Move your body” → stretch while your coffee brews
  
  

Step 3: Attach It to Something You Already Do

This is called habit stacking, and it works like magic.

• While coffee brews → eat something small
  
  
• While kids get ready → drink water
  
  
• After lunch → go outside for 3 minutes
  
  
• When you sit in the car → take a deep breath with Jesus
  
  

Step 4: Celebrate the Tiny Wins

I don’t mean throw a parade.

But did you eat lunch?
Girl, PRAISE THE LORD.

Did you drink water before your third coffee?
HALLELUJAH, WE LOVE TO SEE IT.

Did you challenge a food rule?
HIGH FIVE THROUGH THE SCREEN.

Celebrating reinforces consistency.

How the Boring Basics Lead to Big Breakthroughs

When you stick with the basics long enough, something incredible happens:

You start to:

• Trust your body more
  
  
• Feel safer around food
  
  
• Have fewer obsessive thoughts
  
  
• Feel less controlled by cravings or urges
  
  
• Respond to stress instead of reacting to it
  
  
• Hear God more clearly
  
  
• Experience peace in your relationship with food
  
  

The basics build resilience.

They build confidence.

They build trust—both in yourself and with God.

And over time?
They pave the way for real freedom.

Want to Go Deeper? Here’s Your Next Step.

If this message hit you right in the rib cage (in the best possible way), here are three ways to keep the momentum going:

1. 🎧 Listen to the Full Podcast Episode

If you haven’t listened yet, this blog barely scratches the surface.
Search Faith-Filled Food Freedom wherever you podcast.

2. 📥 Grab My Free “Food Freedom Starter Guide”

If you need help figuring out what YOUR personal “boring basics” should be, this guide will walk you through the exact foundational habits to build first.

3. 👭 Join the Faith-Filled Food Freedom Community

If you want support from other Christian women who get it, come hang out with us in the free Facebook group. You don’t have to do this alone.

Final Encouragement (And a Little Sassy Truth 😉)

You do not need a more complicated plan.
You do not need more willpower.
You do not need to “fix yourself” before God will help you.

What you do need?

A simple, steady return to the basics.

Because freedom doesn’t just show up.
It’s built—breakfast by breakfast, prayer by prayer, moment by moment.

And you, my friend, are absolutely capable of building it.

I’m cheering for you, praying for you, and walking this journey with you every step of the way.

Let’s get back to the basics… together. 💛

 

Here’s to small steps, steady growth, and a whole lot of grace.

Until next time,

Brittany Braswell RD