Food Guilt + Shame

In today’s age of “keto/paleo/sugar free diets,” “clean eating,” “food phobias,” “intermittent fasting” and “skinny teas and coffees,” no wonder there is a scarily increasing list of foods that are causing individuals to feel a sense of GUILT when eating them. Labelling any food as “good” or “bad” automatically gives it the power to consume you. NOTHING should have the power to consume you.

Ways to develop a Positive Relationship with Food

Redefine "Healthy Eating" (my fave topic EVER):

Soooooo?

What the hell am I supposed to eat?

Wait? What? Pasta doesn't make you fat?

I am allowed to eat cake? WHAT?.....

Follow the 80-20 rule (it’s a guideline… 78-22 isn’t going to do any damage either)

This idea is plain and simple and can be easily implemented into your week. The main point here is to eat healthy 80% of the time. Why? Because nutrient dense foods are packed with essential nutrients your body needs in order to help you function healthily and happily . The other 20% of the time INDULGE! Life is to be lived and enjoyed. Eating one extra brownie, cookie or pizza slice DOES NOT make you unhealthy! It makes you HUMAN, it's totally normal to start the week on a healthy note and by Friday want to indulge with a glass of wine or a pizza... When you allow yourself small indulgences, you eliminate that sense of deprivation that can cause you to mindlessly binge on junk foods.

Eat WITHOUT Distraction

Sit at a table, without the TV on or your phone or laptop to distract you. I have found this has helped me personally to become more in tune with my body and its hunger signals, and I am able to grab another serving if I am not satiated or stop when I am full rather than under or overeating. Generally if I under eat, I tend to binge on the first thing I see in the cupboard, or if i overeat I get feelings of pain and discomfort. .SO with that being said, take time to look at your food, smell it, taste it! Actually appreciate the fact you have a delicious meal in front of you and most of all ENJOY!

Stop comparing!

Your body requirements are completely different to those of your parents, brother, sister, boyfriend or girlfriend. The amount of times I have heard the words "Chloé you eat more than my boyfriend" is unbelievable and you know what... its the absolute truth! I have a HUGE appetite and I LOVE food, however that doesn't mean that my friends or family do. Each body works so differently and requires different things in order to function optimally. Never takes anyones relationship with food personally, eat what you love and what makes YOU happy.

Are you emotional?

Emotional eating is something I have definitely experienced and struggled with. Emotional eating can be caused by things such as stress or anxiety and we tend to lean towards food to soothe the emotion we are feeling. I suggest here to try and identify the emotions you are experiencing. For example when I am super stressed out with Uni assignments or tired from an overload of work, my sugar cravings go through the roof and I tend to want to eat chocolate the minute I open my eyes in the morning. Why are you reaching for that comfort food? Identify it. You might actually realise you're not actually hungry, at all and you might just need a drink of water, a nap or you might be bored. Try going for a walk, reading a book, watching tv with a hot cuppa... legit anything!

However, with that being said when I went through a really bad breakup I ate mint choc chip ice cream and Cadbury Marvellous Creations chocolate for about 2 weeks straight for breakfast and nothing else. Sometimes you just have to let it happen. Everyday is a new day, your body requires different things everyday and sometimes letting yourself have foods that are deemed "bad" or "unhealthy" is actually the best thing for you.

Release the SHAME!

In my experience, most women and girls I speak to are happier to speak about ANYTHING other than their indulgences and food choices, they feel guilty about the binges, the blocks of chocolate in the bedside table, the accidental "I ate a whole block of cheese.. with crackers. THIS IS OKAY. YOU ARE HUMAN!- food and nutrition shouldn't be complicated. That voice in your head thats whispering "what are you thinking, eating that?" "this is so bad, I can't eat tomorrow" I shouldn't have had that" "Im going to be fat" "that has way too many calories." That voice is NOT invited to your birthday party and NO it cant have cake. If you are eating a food that you LOVE. A food that brings you pleasure and joy. Continue to eat it, enjoy it, savour it, let it fill your soul with happiness, be grateful you have these moments to indulge. Life is too short, don't give your power over to a slice a pizza. You deserve so much more than to be consumed by food.

Giving POWER to certain food choices by excessively labelling them as "good" or "bad" and allowing your self to feel guilt or shame is detrimental not only to your self esteem but also to the natural functionings of your body. Your body wants you to love food, not to view it as a source of shame. Making healthy, nutritious is just as important as TREATING YOSELFFFF, so ditch the shame, the calorie tracker and AIM FOR BALANCE.