When was the last time you stopped to consider the nature of your relationship with food and eating? Sound like a strange question? It is actually more important than you might realise. How we eat (just like how we brush our teeth, get dressed each day, or approach household chores), is based on a series of habits or behaviours that have developed over the course of our lifetime. Most people never stop to consider how helpful or unhelpful these behaviours have become. Whilst some habits such as how we dress, or a lazy approach to chores may not impact on our health, our eating habits do.
Since food is a fundamental part of life and eating is something we do multiple times day, un-helpful patterns of eating can significantly impact on our physical and psychological well-being. Whether it be a shift towards reliance on processed and take-away foods to save time; eating for reasons other than hunger e.g. boredom or reward; overeating in social settings just because everyone else is, or because that was what looked most appealing on the menu, or was the best value for money; obsessing over certain foods, or cutting them out unnecessarily; or eating everything on your plate out of habit or history, it might be time to stop and analyse your eating behaviour.
Just like any healthy relationship, a healthy relationship with food is one in which you invest appropriate time (both in terms of quantity – to plan and prepare healthy meals, and quality – remaining uninterrupted, focussed and engaged at mealtimes), effort, and a bit of variety!
Tips for maintaining a healthy relationship with food:
- Food is a fundamental part of life – eating should be a priority, not an afterthought
- The role of food in life should be centred around fuel, nutrition, and health
- Food requires investment of time – for planning, shopping, and preparation
- We are a product of what we eat – make wise choices and think about consequences
- Eating is a sensory experience – incorporate varied flavour, texture, colour, aroma
- Be mindful of the percentage of time you eat purely for comfort, reward or pleasure
- Don’t multi-task when eating – give mealtimes the appropriate focus they deserve
- Don’t obsess over food or your weight to the point that it consumes or controls you
- Food should not evoke feelings of extreme guilt – enjoy most things in moderation
Stop to think about what food means to you, what role it plays in your life, and how much time and effort you invest in food and eating on a daily basis. Is it time for a change?
If you need individualised weight loss or healthy eating advice, look no further than the experts at Lifestar Nutrition & Exercise Physiology. www.lifestarnutrition.com.au
CLICK HERE to let us know your favourite healthy takeaway meal, & go into the draw to win a free 60 minute consultation with Peta Hood valued at $110.