7 Ways to Build a Healthy Relationship with Food

Does the word ‘diet’ inspire negative feelings in you? Have you tried going vegan, keto, paleo or any other so-called fad diet out there?

Many of us have a bad relationship with diets. This translates into a bad relationship with food itself. Building a healthy relationship with food is the best way to lose weight. After all, isn’t weight loss one of the biggest goals for anyone who tries out various diets?

Building a healthy relationship with food brings so many amazing benefits. When you learn to appreciate food, you get to feel way more healthier. You also get to improve your self-confidence. You will love yourself more for taking care of what you put into your body.

7 Ways to Build a Healthy Relationship with Food

Below are 7 ways to build a healthy relationship with food:

1 | Don’t starve

Starving yourself almost always makes matters worse. It’s a recipe for disaster. Starving yourself can cause you to break down and binge. And besides, how will you build a healthy relationship with food if you aren’t even eating it? If you starve because food is the enemy, you’re inspiring the wrong feelings about it in your brain.

2 | Eat Mindfully

Do you ever finish eating and wonder where all your food went? Your phone is probably right next to you, and you’re scrolling through Instagram while eating. In order to eat mindfully, plate your food in proper utensils and settle down to eat. Put away all your gadgets and get personal with your food. This will help you to build a healthy relationship with food.

3 | Eat what you want

Restricting yourself from eating the foods you love can have the opposite effect than you expect. Having to physically restrain yourself from certain foods isn’t going to help you. You will probably end up bingeing more than your ordinary helping. Allow a 20% window for your favorite foods. The rest of that can be healthy clean eating. This way, you get enjoy your faves while being healthy.

4 | Replace unhealthy foods before eliminating them from your diet

It can be hard to go cold turkey on the foods you consume regularly. In fact, you could start an extreme binge fest and ruin your progress. If it’s chocolate you crave, try out organic cacao nibs. Replace unhealthy foods with healthier options before eliminating them. This tip will help you to build a healthy relationship with food.

5 | Are you really hungry?

Food is such a fundamental part of recreation. Every time you go out, you end up buying something to eat. Movies? Popcorn. Going out? Burgers. A lot of the time, we aren’t hungry but bored. If you aren’t actually hungry, then go do something productive to take your mind off food. Sometimes you’re just thirsty. Drink more water and you’ll stop feeling that way.

6 | Wait 20 minutes before going for seconds

Do you really need to go for seconds, feel full and bloated, end up not being able to walk, and then you swear never to eat that much again? Instead of pigging out, enjoy your portion, have a glass of water and then wait 20 minutes before going for seconds. This builds a healthy relationship with food. It teaches you to appreciate food for its flavor rather than quantity.

7 | Eat healthier

Let’s face it—we eat a lot of junk. When was the last time you had a fruit? Some of us don’t eat fruits at all. Start eating more fruits and vegetables. Try out fresh juices and smoothies. Drink a smoothie for breakfast every day. This can help you get the vitamins and nutrients you really need.