Ylenia is a psychonutritionist and the creator of “If the problem isn’t hunger, food isn’t the solution”, a podcast designed to discuss, frankly and as responsibly as possible, why, when the problem isn’t hunger, food is not – and never will be – the solution.
Through her work, she helps people understand what lies behind their relationship with food, focusing on the emotions, thoughts and patterns that influence how we relate to ourselves and those around us.
We live surrounded by conversations about healthy habits, productivity, wellbeing, and self-improvement. At what point does taking care of ourselves stop being a form of wellbeing and become yet another demand?
“I think it happens when we feel that we have to ‘tick all the boxes’ without truly connecting with how we feel, with our needs, with the root of the problem, and with where we want to go. For me, self-care should never start solely from a list of things we are supposedly meant to do in order to feel well. Eating a certain way, exercising, resting, having routines, or being productive can all be wonderful tools, but they lose their meaning when we do them out of pressure rather than self-awareness. Through my work as a psychonutritionist, I try precisely to go a little beyond all of that: to understand what lies behind a behaviour, what that person really needs, and what they want to achieve (and I’m not referring only to weight). Because the same habit can be an act of self-care for one person and become a huge source of pressure—or even be counterproductive—for someone else. To me, taking care of yourself has much more to do with getting to know yourself and learning to listen to yourself than with perfectly ‘following’ what books and absurd trends tell us to do.”
What do you think we need to unlearn before we can build a healthier relationship with food?
“I think we need to unlearn many of the rules we have internalised around food: what is good and bad, what is allowed and forbidden, what we ‘should’ eat, and what we supposedly need to compensate for afterwards. But above all, we need to unlearn the idea that eating well means eating perfectly. Food is obviously about nutrition and health, but it is also about pleasure, culture, family, celebration, travel, memories, and social life. When we try to reduce it solely to nutrients, calories, or rules, we can end up giving food far more mental space than it should occupy, and that is when it starts to feel burdensome. The same thing happens when we mix food with emotions. In my practice, I work with my patients so that they can understand what they need, develop the right tools, and make choices that take care of them, but always with flexibility. For me, a healthy relationship with food is one in which we are the ones making the decisions, rather than food ultimately dictating our lives.”
Three values that define the way you live and work.
“Sensitivity, curiosity, and integrity. Sensitivity is part of the way I see the world and relate to people. It is very present in my work, but also in my relationship with art, fashion, spaces, travel, and beauty. Curiosity is something I constantly need to nurture. I love travelling, discovering new places, reading, learning, visiting exhibitions, experiencing other cultures, and listening to people who have something to teach me. I believe that staying curious means we never stop growing. And integrity is something I value more and more as the years go by: trying to create a connection between what I think, what I feel, what I say, and the way I ultimately live and work. It isn’t always easy, but I try.”
What does handmade mean to you?
“Time, sensitivity, intention, and, above all, a story. We live surrounded by immediacy and by things that we can have almost the moment we want them. That is why I believe there is increasingly more value in things that need time to exist, where you can recognise the hand and care of the person who created them. I have always been drawn to pieces with a story: in fashion, art, furniture, and the objects I choose for my home… I like knowing where they come from, who created them, and how they were made. It also connects with a way of consuming that I increasingly identify with: having less and choosing better. Surrounding myself with special pieces that last, age beautifully, and can accompany you for many years. For me, that is true luxury.”
How important are shoes in your everyday life?
“Very. I have always loved fashion as a form of self-expression, and I think shoes have an incredible ability to transform even the simplest look. I like special shoes and have a few pairs that I almost consider objects in their own right, but over the years I have also learned to place a huge value on comfort. I want beautiful things to be part of my real life rather than keeping them stored away, waiting for a special occasion. That is why I especially love the combination of design, craftsmanship, and comfort. Friulane shoes have something very special: they have character and history, but at the same time you can put them on in the morning and wear them comfortably all day. To me, that naturalness is also a form of elegance.”
What place in the world would you like to explore wearing your Friulane?
“It’s impossible for me to choose just one because travelling is one of the things I enjoy most. I’m really keen to visit India. I’m hugely drawn to its entire universe: the culture, the colours, the textiles, and an aesthetic that is completely different from ours. Scotland is also still on my list, and it appeals to me for entirely different reasons: its landscapes, castles, nature, and that very special atmosphere it has. And I would always go back to Mexico, my favourite place in Latin America. It is a country I have a great deal of affection for, and one that inspires me through its people, gastronomy, architecture, craftsmanship, and that wonderful way of embracing colour and tradition.
Although you don’t necessarily have to go that far. I would love to return to Venice wearing a pair of Cayumas with my husband, walking without a plan and getting lost in its streets, or take a trip to Paris, which I always think is a good idea. I think my Cayumas would fit perfectly into any of those journeys. In the end, for me, travelling is about discovering, observing, finding inspiration, and, above all, sharing. The destination matters enormously, but so does who you experience it with and the memories you create there.”
