Food: Building a Healthy Relationship with Food

Take a moment to think about your relationship with food. Think about your eating habits and how you feel before, during, and after a meal. A lot of us can tend to build a relationship around food that might be related more to feelings and comfort which can create an unhealthy relationship with food.

5 Signs of an Unhealthy Relationship with Food:

1. Constantly thinking about your next meal.
2. Having feelings of shame and guilt after eating a meal.
3. Following fad or extreme diets.
4. Over-restricting foods and/or binging.
5. Using food to supply emotional comfort, relieve stress, or ease boredom.

Whatever you discover about your relationship with food, notice it with awareness. And then choose some steps to take to build or maintain a healthy relationship with food.

5 Tips to Repair Your Relationship with Food:

1. Recognize food as fuel that your body needs to function.
2. Prioritize eating nutrient-dense foods packed with healthy macronutrients that will keep you feeling fuller for longer. Eat foods high in protein and fiber to satiate and stave off hunger.
3. Form a healthy, regulated diet that works for you. Speak to a healthcare provider or nutrition specialist to cultivate a diet with meals specifically designed for you and your body.
4. Create a plan for stress or emotional ups and downs. Think of and practice healthy ways to relieve stress. Walking, exercise, deep breathing, prayer, meditation, journaling, therapy, and hobbies are just a few activities among many that you can use to relieve stress.
5. Let go. Know that there is no diet or meal that is perfect. Work with yourself or a mental healthcare professional to release guilt and shame related to eating.

There isn’t a way around it: your body needs the right amount of food with healthy nutrients to live well. Consider small steps you can personally take to either begin or continue your healthy relationship with food.