How our Mindset Affects Our Relationship with Food
It’s no secret we all treat and feel differently towards food. Some of us have a healthy relationship with food/eating, while others may struggle. There is definitely a fine line between simply being aware of what we put in our bodies, obsessing over it, and not caring about it at all. Individuals that have a more positive mindset towards healthier lifestyles and eating habits focus more on the variety of healthy foods available to them rather than focusing on how rigid a diet may be or how many foods they have to exclude. It’s no surprise that when you tend to have a more optimistic viewpoint towards your flexible eating, it will lead to more positive results and outcomes.
So how can we find this “food positivity”? A simple shift in our mindset from a restricted, rule-based relationship with food, to a more optimistic and positive mindset is a start. Here are some tips that could help change your mindset and relationship towards food.
You’re Eating for Fuel – When it comes to eating and refueling your body think of it like refueling your car. When it hits empty you search for proper fuel, right? Well, it’s the same for our bodies. You wouldn’t overflow your gas tank or let it go bone dry either. When our bodies need fuel, we need to find the best possible source and not treat it as just a pit stop.
Get Familiar with Your Hunger – Sometimes we think we are hungry when we are just board or even thirsty. We also tend to eat when we feel happy, anxious, when trying to be polite, etc. It’s time to recognize hunger and eat only when you’re hungry and stop when you’re full. Another tip is to not wait until you’re absolutely starving to eat, but instead eat when you feel a little hungry. When we wait until we are starving, we’re more prone to overeat and make poor food choices.
Don’t use Food as a Reward or a Punishment – We all do this. We meet a health goal and we “treat” ourselves to cake or ice cream. Or we have a bad day, and we indulge ourselves in sweets or chips to help us feel better. But does it ever actually make us feel better?? I’m not saying we can’t indulge every now and again, but we need to stop thinking about it as a treat or as a punishment. Eating cake, ice cream, chips, or whatever should be okay in moderation!
Moderation is Your Best Friend – I know people roll their eyes at me when I say I don’t limit foods at all, but it’s TRUE! I know that processed foods aren’t the absolutely best for me but that doesn’t mean I don’t ever eat them. When I eat something not 100% meal plan approved, I simply keep it in moderation. But I also keep healthy foods in moderation!
Eat Breakfast – Nothing makes me angrier than when I hear people say they skip breakfast in order to save calories. NO! Eating a good, healthy breakfast kickstarts your day by giving you necessary energy as well as setting the tone for the rest of your day. Eat a balanced breakfast of carbs, protein, and healthy fats to get things going right.
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