Why Your Relationship With Food Is Suffering + How To *Finally* Make Peace With Food
Food is an essential aspect of life that provides nourishment and sustenance to our bodies. However, for some people, food can become a source of stress, guilt, shame, and anxiety, leading to an unhealthy relationship with food. We may feel like we’re constantly at war with food. There can be many reasons why your relationship with food may be suffering. It's important to note that every individual's relationship with food is unique, and there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question.
Here are some possible factors that could be contributing to your unhealthy relationship with food:
Diet culture: Living in a culture that places a high value on thinness and places strict rules around food can lead to a disordered relationship with food. To reassure you, there is a very large portion of the population living in the West who falls victim to diet culture as young as 5 years old (yes, you read that right), often without realizing.
Emotional issues: Stress, anxiety, depression, and other emotional issues can cause you to turn to food as a coping mechanism or lead to restrictive eating patterns. To nuance, there is nothing inherently wrong with eating your emotions as a way to cope. It can become problematic when it is your only way to deal with difficult emotions.
Trauma: Past experiences of trauma, such as abuse or neglect, can lead to disordered eating patterns as a way to cope with emotional pain.
Lack of education: Lack of knowledge about nutrition, portion sizes, and healthy eating habits can lead to confusion and disordered eating.
A history of chronic dieting in the family: when we see our caretakers always obsessing over food, the latest diet fad or changing their physical appearance, it may instill the belief that it’s what you should also be doing.
If you're wondering whether your relationship with food is suffering, here are some signs to look out for:
Obsessive thoughts about food: If you find yourself constantly thinking about food, counting calories, or planning your meals obsessively, usually to the point where it starts to disrupt the normal functioning of your life, it may be a sign that your relationship with food is unhealthy.
Guilt and shame around food: If you feel guilty or ashamed before, during or after eating, even if you haven't consumed anything that's typically considered "unhealthy," it may be a sign that you have an unhealthy relationship with food.
Restrictive eating habits: If you find yourself completely avoiding certain foods or food groups (usually out of fear), skipping meals, or restricting your caloric intake to an unhealthy degree, you may have an unhealthy relationship with food.
Binge eating: If you frequently consume large amounts of food in a short period, feel out of control while eating, and feel guilty and ashamed afterward, it may be a sign of an unhealthy relationship with food. You may also experience living in extremes: restricting (voluntarily or involuntarily) your intake, and bingeing on food later on, with very little room for the in-between.
If you recognize any of these signs in yourself, it's important to take steps to make peace with food. Here are some practical ways to do so:
First, it's important to understand that food is not the enemy. Food is necessary for survival and provides us with the energy and nutrients we need to function. However, our relationship with food can become unhealthy when we use it as a way to cope with emotions, stress, or boredom, or when we restrict or deprive ourselves of certain foods or food groups.
To heal your relationship with food, it's important to adopt a balanced and flexible approach. This means eating a variety of foods, including foods that you enjoy, and not labelling foods as "good" or "bad." It also means tuning in to your body's hunger and fullness cues and eating when you are hungry and stopping when you are full.
Another important aspect of healing your relationship with food is learning to let go of the idea of "perfect" or "ideal" body size or shape. Our bodies come in all shapes and sizes, and there is no one "right" way to look. Instead of focusing on external factors like weight or size, focus on how you feel. Do you feel healthy and strong? Are you able to do the things you enjoy? These are the things that really matter.
To start healing your relationship with your body, try practicing self-care and self-compassion. Treat your body with kindness and respect, and focus on what your body can do, rather than what it looks like. This might mean getting enough sleep, engaging in physical activity that you enjoy, and taking time to relax and de-stress.
Remember, healing your relationship with food and your body is a journey, and it won't happen overnight. But with time, patience, and a willingness to change your mindset and approach, you can create a healthier and happier relationship with these important aspects of your life. An unhealthy relationship with food can take a toll on your physical and mental health. However, it doesn't have to be this way. Healing your relationship with food and your body is possible, and it starts with changing the way you think about and approach these things. By recognizing the signs and taking practical steps to make peace with food, you can nourish your body and enjoy eating without guilt or shame.
It's important to remember that your relationship with food is complex and can be influenced by a variety of factors. If you're struggling with an unhealthy relationship with food, it may be helpful to seek support from a qualified professional, such as a therapist or registered dietitian, to help you identify the underlying causes and develop a plan to make peace with food.
Hope this helped ♡
Maria Tanielian
Registered Dietitian/Nutritionniste
