If you have the tendency to view food as the enemy, here are some tips that helped us heal our own relationship with food
Growing up is realizing just how deep the seeds of insecurity can reach and the extent to which they fester—not least of all when it comes to food and body image. Growing up on social media, you may have come across images, people, and communities that impacted the way you see yourself, even without you knowing. From the “Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels” quote to the extreme weight loss diet fads marketed in rotation, there are countless individuals who look at food as the enemy, and eating as something shameful as a result.
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What we described is an unhealthy relationship with food. The inverse of that is a relationship that involves seeing food as nourishment and being flexible to eating for pleasure—without any guilt attached. It’s easier said than done to get rid of the guilt we feel towards our food choices, but it is possible with self-compassion and intuitive eating. If you’re ready to start your path to healing too, here are the five tips we find helpful.
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View all food as equal
Remove the “bad” in “bad food” and the “good” in “good food,” and all you’re left with is food. Pay attention to the language you use because it could influence the food choices you make, like overindulgent “cheat days” that result in unnecessary feelings of guilt over weight gain. Instead, view food equally and honor whatever your body desires.
Try talk therapy
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Many find it helpful to unearth the origins of one’s deep-seated anxiety concerning food. It’s especially worth seeing a mental health professional for one-on-one or group sessions to be able to unlearn unhealthy habits in a safe space.
Eat mindfully
Mindful eating is an approach to eating that encourages sensual awareness, leading to a habit of savoring the food you’re eating. We find that this helps us be more in tune with our bodies and heal our relationship with food because we get to recognize more intimately the cues our body signals us on what satisfies our hunger and taste buds.
Take cues from your body
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In line with the previous point, it’s important to take cues from our bodies and accept them as they come. This means eating intuitively or simply eating when you’re hungry and stopping when you’re comfortably full. By listening to your body more, you can actually develop a more balanced diet and experience fewer turbulent cravings.
Be patient
Finally, be patient and give yourself grace. Don’t beat yourself up if your healing is not going “perfectly” or as quickly as you imagined. Just keep making slow but steady steps and putting in the conscious effort to heal, and the rest will follow.
