Nothing spoils the enjoyment of food, faster than the affliction of guilt; the feeling that you have done something wrong. Guilt is the by-product of all defiant actions. But what if we can forever eradicate the feeling of guilt that often accompanies eating? What if eating your favorite food was no longer an act of defiance or weakness?
A healthy relationship with food is one that nourishes our bodies and provides the important nutrients we need for survival. At the same time, it allows us to enjoy the food we eat without guilt or using food as an emotional crutch.
To have a healthy relationship with food, it is important to be able to recognize physiological hunger cues from emotional hunger triggers. Physical hunger cues include a rumbling or growling stomach, and may progress to a headache, dizziness or lightheadedness if too much time lapses since the last time you ate. Emotional triggers might include boredom, sadness, stress or anger.
It can become dangerous if we stop allowing ourselves to eat our favorite sweet treats or if we start to make certain foods forbidden. When we deprive ourselves of the food we crave, there is a big emphasis on the forbidden. On the other hand, if we allow ourselves to eat in moderation those foods that we crave, we can learn to enjoy that food without guilt. We must learn to indulge in the taste of our food, and consciously enjoy each bite. In moderation, we can enjoy the food we love. Developing a healthy relationship with foods you love takes some discipline and dedication to moderation.
Do you have a healthy relationship with food? Are you able to enjoy your favorite foods in moderation?
I think I have a healthy relationship with food most of the time. I enjoy eating and nourishing my body with good food. Though if I'm really tired and stressed, I crave crisps and chips and junk food.
ReplyDeleteHi Susan,
ReplyDeleteIt's great to see that you recognize that there are times that set off your cravings. I think as long as you are eating well 80-90% of the time, it is ok to indulge, enjoy it and move on without feeling guilty. My downfall is chocolate and sweets for sure but I try not to feel guilty when I indulge.
Maria
Maria,
ReplyDeleteI tried to leave a comment on your new blog and I wrote it but it didn't go through for some reason. New blog looks great.
Susan,
ReplyDeleteThank you for letting me know - and thank you for the feedback on the new blog. I tested publishing a few comments and it worked. Perhaps I was still in the stages of adjusting the layout and functionality. If you try yo post again and it doesn't work please let me know. I want to be sure I get it fixed so readers can comment. Thanks so much for your help!
Maria
I'm glad you say that it is ok to indulge as long as you eat right, because i find it hard give something up, so now I just eat smaller portions of the food I love and I have to say at first it is very hard, but then it just becomes so much easier to say no to food when your full faster and eat healthier so you feel better later.
ReplyDeleteJasmine,
ReplyDeleteAre you enjoying your vacation? I hope so. Great to see you have adapted a healthy approach and are feeling better for it. Great job!
Maria