A good relationship with food is one where you can enjoy all types of foods in moderation. It’s not a relationship where you let food control your life, or use it to define your worth. To build a good relationship with food, you have to actively work at changing your eating habits. When you eat unhealthy foods, you create a long list of rules about what you can and cannot eat. You ignore your body’s natural hunger cues and rely on calorie counters.
The goal of cultivating a healthy relationship with food is to eat only when you are physically hungry and you are not emotionally or socially dependent on it. Foods are necessary for our physical, emotional, and social wellbeing, so it’s important to embrace a range of different foods in moderation. Developing a healthy relationship with food involves learning to be flexible with the amount and types you eat, accepting all kinds of foods, and eating them for what they are: a source of nourishment for your body.
If you find it difficult to stop reaching for food when you’re stressed, consider other ways to satisfy your cravings. Instead of reaching for the chocolate bar, reach for something more meaningful, like a book, or a movie. Your body deserves to be loved and cherished. It needs to be nourished with nutrients, and you should be thankful for its hard work. You’ll be happier and more satisfied with your food choices when you begin to eat mindfully and consciously.
