Have you ever felt anxious or guilty about what you eat? Or maybe you feel like you can’t control your eating habits and end up overeating or eating unhealthy foods even though you know you shouldn’t. If any of this sounds familiar, then you may have an unhealthy relationship with food and making changes so you can be kinder to yourself can really revolutionize your life. It’s not like you can stop eating food, so being able to do so without mentally damaging yourself each time is essential to your weight loss journey. So, without further ado, here is how to have a better relationship with food and start leading a more mindful lifestyle with food as a part, not the defining aspect.
1. Determine Your Reason for Eating
The first step to having a healthy relationship with food is to determine why you’re eating. Are you actually hungry or do you just feel like eating out of boredom, stress, or habit? Remember that feeling full is not the same as being satisfied. If you’re eating out of stress, boredom, or for any other reason than hunger, then it’s essential to find healthier ways to deal with those emotions. In addition, understanding craving is important. Sometimes what you are carving is not what your body needs.
You could try eating a healthy snack, going for a walk, or doing a quick 1 minute or less mediation. I like the breathe bubble on youtube when I want to eat the whole fridge as a way to calm my anxiousness. A handful of almonds and a piece of fruit can be just as satisfying as that bag of chips when I am able to decide why I am eating. Apart from this, you may check out how many calories should a woman eat daily to lose weight so that you can make sure that you are eating right. Remember that it is not about deprivation but rather making sure you are getting the right nutrition.
2. Eat Slowly and Mindfully
When you’re eating, try to slow down and focus on what you’re putting into your body. Take the time to enjoy your food, really taste it, and savor the flavors. Eating slowly and mindfully will help you become more aware of your hunger and fullness cues, so you’ll be better able to recognize when you’re actually feeling hungry and when you’ve had enough.
I also recommend putting down your fork between bites and not multitasking while you’re eating, as this will help you eat slowly and be more mindful of what you’re consuming. Also go ahead and take the foodie picture to feast your eyes first, then your body.
3. Don’t Restrict or Deprive Yourself
It’s absolutely okay to indulge every now and then – in fact, I totally encourage this! Too much restriction can lead to binge eating or other unhealthy behaviors, so it’s important to listen to your body and give yourself permission to eat the foods that you love. I am never giving up those frosted brownies from Rocket Market! That being said, you may also try to find a balance between eating healthy and indulging – having one small piece of cake instead of the whole slice, for example. Or deciding when you are going to have your treat ahead of time so you know when it’s coming and know that you planned for it. Rather then feeling guilty while eating, make this into a fairy tale treat! It’s important to remember that all foods can fit into a healthy diet. You just have to find the best balance that works best for you and your lifestyle, right now. You can always adjust, give yourself grace…and maybe some chocolate.
4. Team Up with a Professional
If you’re struggling with an unhealthy relationship with food, it can be useful to get help from a professional. A dietitian or nutritionist can help you learn the basics of nutrition, which foods are better for your health and how to make healthier choices. Mental health professionals can also provide guidance on mindful eating, which is a type of therapy that helps you understand and cope with your emotions related to food. Moreover, any clinically trained weight loss specialist (obesity medicine) can also help you develop a meal plan that takes into account your lifestyle and food preferences.
5. Listen to Your Body
Finally, try to get in touch with your body and listen to its signals. If you’re feeling hungry, ask yourself what kind of food you actually want – not what you “should” eat. It’s important to recognize that all foods can have a place in your diet, but it’s also important to practice moderation and listen to your body’s cues. And when I say listen to that, not your brain telling you all those negative inner critic thoughts. You know her well, I am sure of it. Your body will thank you for paying attention to it, and not your negative self-talk. She is so annoying anyways!
To Sum It Up
Following these steps should help you have a healthier relationship with food and feel better about what you’re consuming. Remember to be patient with yourself and give yourself plenty of grace – it takes time to form new habits and change the way you think about food. You can even get in touch with me for the best weight loss programs in Spokane to kick-start your journey. Together, we can help you learn to nourish your body with healthy, delicious foods and develop a positive relationship with food.
