Hi foodies! I’m excited to share a bit of my journey towards a healthier relationship with food. Growing up my connection with food has always been intertwined with diet culture. Many fad diets echoed throughout my childhood as my mom navigated the never ending realm of diet trends. From calorie counting to Jenny Craig, I found myself exposed to diet culture at a remarkably young age.
Fast-forward a few years into college where my awareness of what I ate and its impact on my well-being truly took root. Given this new life transition I found myself developing a toxic relationship with food (eating highly processed foods, overeating and restricting certain foods). This toxic cycle masked the opportunity for a deeper connection with my food choices.
As time went by I started questioning my own choices and it clicked: my relationship with food is one of the most important relationships in my life, it’s radical self-love to give my body food that will support and nurture it. This realization led me on a journey towards a healthier relationship with food embracing choices that prioritize not just my physical well-being, but also my mental health.
Simple Tips That Helped Me Have a Better Relationship with Food:
- Listening to Your Body
Understanding hunger and fullness cues became a game-changer. I started tuning in to what my body truly needed. It’s a subtle yet powerful shift that allows me to eat when hungry and stop when satisfied. For example: if you come across your favorite pizza at a party you’d be able to enjoy a reasonable portion without feeling bad about it – instead of overeating or restricting that want out of guilt. Think about it: would I physically feel good if I ate an excessive amount of pizza slices vs. would I feel better by tuning into my body’s signals and making choices that truly nourish and satisfy?
- Reading Ingredients
Understanding and reading ingredients is a game-changer for everyone aiming to cultivate a positive relationship with food. It empowers you to make informed choices and make space for nutrient-packed, wholesome food options.
Tip: Download the “Yuka” app, it allows you to scan the barcodes of food products.
- Food Language Matters
Using language like ‘bad’, ‘naughty’, ‘junk’ or ‘treats’ can affect how we and the people around us, think and feel about food. Research shows that when we use this type of moral language around foods, we tend to crave them more and feel guilty/judge ourselves. Removing these labels can help lower stress that can comes from eating. It can also help us appreciate that all foods are allowed, and we are allowed to enjoy them! It’s about recognizing what your body needs to feel good and reinforcing that food is more than just fuel – it’s self-love, connection, culture and tradition. By granting ourselves unconditional permission to eat and eating foods that we truly want, we ease the psychological deprivation and allow a true positive connection with food.
Reference: Urbszat, D. C., Herman, P., & Policy, J. (2002). Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we diet: Effects of anticipated deprivation on food intake in restrained and unrestrained eaters. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 111(2), 396-401. doi: 10.1037//0021-843X.111.2.396
- 80/20 Rule
The 80/20 rule is simple. Eat nutritious, healthy foods 80% of the time and enjoy “soul foods” 20% of the time. It’s a more flexible approach to eating, which encourages a balanced diet and indulging in moderation rather than restrictive dieting.
Cheers to a journey of radical self-love through the powerful act of choosing foods that truly support and nurture our well-being!
For the Love of Food 