How To Have A Healthy Relationship With Food

Having a healthy relationship with food

At one point or another, many of us have found ourselves having an issue with some food or macronutrient (protein, fat or carbohydrate) intakes. What makes it even more complicated is all the contradictory or one-sided nutritional information that is always emerging. 

Here are some tips that I believe to be effective in developing a healthy relationship with food: 

• Think about what to eat – not what to avoid. When we aren’t starving, we make better choices at each meal. If we are eating protein, good fats and fruits / vegetables at each meal, we are guaranteed to fill up on what our body needs and stay full longer. If we are counting kilojoules (calories) in the morning, we can expect to overeat or cave in the afternoon. Instead, filling up early on protein and fat has been proven to satisfy us, elongate our blood sugar curve, and help us eat less overall.

• Stop pleasing others – For example, if we don’t feel well on gluten, we shouldn’t eat it; we don’t necessarily need a blood test to prove dairy doesn’t work for us, we can trust our gut; if we prefer to consume a vegetarian diet then that’s great too. We need not judge others nor justify our choices; it is about focusing on what we need and makes us feel good.  

• Focus on nourishment – Wholefoods are loaded with important nutrients, low in sugar, high in fibre, support our heart + gut health, may reduce disease risks, and provide us with longer lasting energy and strong bones and muscles. Whilst, processed foods usually contain saturated fats, sugar, salt, less dietary fibre, and overall fewer nutrients resulting in numerous risks to our health. It can simply be about taking it one meal at a time and asking ourselves, what will nourish and sustain us for the next few hours.

A happy and healthy relationship with food is attained when we find balance. Balance can be found by focusing on eating whole, nutrient-dense food, intentionally leading an active lifestyle and even enjoying a glass of wine with friends. By striving to build a balanced, healthy lifestyle, we’ll take the important first steps to a healthy relationship with food!

Diana x