Many of us have become so obsessed with food, diet, exercise, “perfect” bodies, and “perfect” eating, and in that quest towards perfection, we’ve lost sight of what food is actually about.
Often, we don’t take any time to enjoy food or listen to our bodies.
From binging to restriction to forcing ourselves to drink magical powders and invest in superfoods, we try to fit into certain frameworks or numbers, instead of listening to our bodies.
And all of that at the cost of sanity and mental health.
Food obsession comes in many shapes and forms. One person may look like the epitome of health, but still be stuck with their food-related thoughts. They may even avoid going out with friends since it doesn’t fit their macros.
Another person may struggle to find balance and constantly thinks about food.
No matter your situation, you can break free from the obsession and achieve a life where food is actually just an afterthought. It’s just something you think about once you’re hungry, but it won’t be the leading role in your life anymore.
Sounds like something out of science fiction right now? Below, I’m providing you with a few basic principles to help you snap out of the food-obsession circle.
Stop listening to the app, start listening to yourself
If you’ve been tracking your eating habits with different apps for a long time, this advice sounds as good as someone telling you to stop breathing.
But the training wheels really do need to come off at some point. That’s all the app is – training wheels.
For some people, nutrition trackers can be greatly helpful but for most, they are a source of unhealthy obsession that only leads to deeper issues. Soon, you’ll realize you skip meals or add more meals, just to fit into numbers. Even if you’re not hungry (or, on the opposite, are hungry). If you don’t listen to yourself and only follow a machine, nothing good ever comes out of it.
You, after all, have known yourself for your entire life. An app, well… doesn’t know anything about you, other than your age, measurements, and activity level. It doesn’t take into account biology, your environment, your culture, your metabolism, your thoughts, your beliefs, your habits, your whole essence.
Don’t run your life according to algorithms. Run it according to you.
Take time to eat
When was the last time you actually sat down and took the time to enjoy every bite of your meal?
We always seem to rush and chow down as quickly as possible, so we could get back to our errands. Or even worse – we eat with one eye on the plate and the other one on the phone.
If you eat too quickly, you most likely won’t chew your food properly, resulting in digestive troubles, but even beyond that: you’ll distance yourself from food and experience much less satisfaction.
As a result, you might eat more than you normally would since you won’t feel full after the meal. It takes about 20 minutes for your brain to actually register the meal.
Make it one of your foundational habits to sit down without any distractions and be present for your meal. Having a meal is one of the most important things you ever do: it’s the sole reason you’re alive, energized, and ready to offer your presence to the world. Isn’t this spectacular activity worth your full attention? It most certainly is.
Eat more nutrient-dense foods
One of the reasons your thoughts are constantly moving back to food is simply the fact you haven’t eaten enough. Or you haven’t provided your body with sufficient nutrients.
You may think you’ve eaten plenty, but if you’ve been running around for 5 hours after having a donut and a coffee, it’s no wonder you’ll be only thinking about food.
Try balancing your plate with plenty of fresh vegetables, whole grains, beans, or legumes, and some lean protein sources (eggs, chicken, yogurt, beans) with some healthy fats (like fish, avocado, nuts, and seeds).
The more of these foods you consume, the higher your satiety, meaning there’s a good chance you won’t be focusing so much on food-related thoughts anymore.
Figure out mealtimes that work for YOU
Society has built all kinds of rules. If you don’t follow those rules, you might feel as if you’re living in the wrong way and therefore, you might try to push yourself inside those rules.
One such rule includes mealtimes. We’ve been constantly told to eat breakfast at a certain time, to follow a certain mealtime plan and if we should ever steer away from that, we’ll feel bad.
The truth is, all bodies work differently and everyone has different lifestyles. You can’t expect to fit your unique self into a preset rule that is meant to work for a million other people. And you should never feel guilty because you’re not following that societal plan.
Mindful eating means listening to your body. Figure out mealtimes that work for your body. If you feel hungry in the morning, eat. If you don’t feel hungry, don’t eat. But never force yourself to eat (or not eat) based on a mealtime rule that someone else has created. No one else can tell you what mealtimes work for you.
And even more – you don’t need to force a certain daily regimen on your body. If one morning you feel hungry and the other one you don’t, you don’t need to force food down your throat. Only eat when your body tells you to.
Fill your life with more mental stimulation
Sometimes, we get obsessed with food simply because our mind has nothing better to do. In other words, you’re bored, so you eat.
In a way, eating may have become your hobby.
Well, it’s time to find a new hobby and occupy your time and mind with something other than food. Think about activities that truly light you up: arts and crafts, dancing, drawing, reading, whatever works for you.
Ask yourself WHY
Food obsession is largely related to the thoughts in your head, not so much to the actual circumstances surrounding you.
The thing is, your thoughts are always dictating your actions. For instance, one person may feel bored, but won’t turn to food – instead, they find another activity.
No matter the situation, start asking yourself what’s behind the obsession. Why are you currently thinking about food? I even urge you to ask this question out loud: why am I currently thinking about food? Am I hungry? Am I bored? Am I seeking comfort? Is it a habit? What result am I trying to create with food?
And step by step, you’ll start realizing the reasons behind these obsessive thoughts.
Getting rid of food-related thoughts and obsessions may not be an easy road, but all it takes is one meal and one day at a time.
If you need support or guidance on your road toward a better relationship with food, contact me, and let’s see how we can work together.