What is Healthy Eating?
Having a Neutral View on Food
There is no such thing as good or bad food. Remember #allfoodsfit. Labeling foods as good or bad can actually lead to feelings of guilt when you eat a food that you consider to be “bad”. If you tell yourself, you can’t or shouldn’t have a particular food, it can lead to intense feelings of deprivation that build into uncontrollable cravings and often, bingeing. Therefore, having a neutral view of food can help to reduce likelihoods of negative thought/behavioral spirals that can lead to some negative feelings and experiences with eating. Remember that eating for overall well-being is flexible and individualized. By making peace with food and embracing an all-foods fit mentality, it can help you in the process of becoming a more intuitive and flexible eater.
Including a Variety of Food Groups
Getting in a variety of foods and food groups ensures that you are getting all the nutrients that you need! It is unnecessary to cut out whole food groups. Your body also has a lot of innate wisdom about what it needs. Listen to it and use your intuition to help guide your eating choices. You may be surprised to find that this gentle approach can help you achieve a more balanced way of eating.
Understanding that Food is More Than Just Nutrients
Food is so much more than just nutrients for our body. We eat for many reasons and many things affect how we eat, including hunger, satisfaction, pleasure, food availability, resources, and culture. Food is also about celebration and emotional expression at times. Emotional eating is part of the normal human experience. Give yourself permission to indulge in emotional eating from time to time and if you are concerned, then please make an appointment with a therapist and/or registered dietitian. See the “Resources” tab on this webpage for more information about how to access these services.
Do You Have a Challenging Relationship with Food?
Ask yourself these questions:
- Do you feel obsessed with counting calories, your weight/shape, or having a "perfect" diet?
- Are you constantly overwhelmed by thoughts of food?
- Are you currently eliminating entire food groups because you believe they are "bad" for you (for example fruit, grains, dairy)?
- Do you often ignore your body’s natural hunger cues (or feel as though you don’t notice hunger cues unless you are extremely hungry)?
- Do you feel the need to compensate after eating (for example, exercising to burn a certain number of calories after eating or in order to “earn” food)?
- Do you avoid social gatherings because you don't want to be tempted by food involved?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, you might benefit from more support from a registered dietitian and/or therapist to help you build a healthier relationship with food. Please see the “Resources” tab on this webpage for more information about how to access these services.