Build a Relationship that Matters…With your Food! (guest post)

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Hello fellow MizFit readers!

Thanks for letting me take over the MizFitturf today.

My name is Talia and I blog at Bite Size Wellness…the homeland to healthy living in a cinch. I wanted to chat about an ignored topic: your food relationship.

If you were going to post a status update stating what your relationship with food is, what would you say?

Going through a divorce? On great terms? Single and looking to mingle (in the vegetable aisle, of course!)?

Maybe you are thinking that I’m crazy and having a relationship with food is, um, weird.

Food isn’t even alive, how can we have a relationship with it? Well, most of us actually have a pretty serious relationship with our food—and it’s an intimate one at that.

If you think about it, the time spent with your food is much more than just cooking and eating.

We talk about it, think about it, turn to it in good times and bad, in social situations, we use it as gifts, write about it (amen to fellow foodie bloggers!), turn to it when we are bored, when we want a reward, for comfort, for health.

Plus, the billion-dollar food industry is sure to have food be at our top of mind just in case you weren’t already wrapped up in it enough!  The list goes on and on.

This intimate and timeless relationship with the plethora of eats out there has caused us to forget that at the root of it all, food is fuel.

Short story for such a relationship saga, don’t you think?

Food shouldn’t fill a hole of sadness or be your go-to in times of celebration.

The goal of food is to stimulate and energize you. While we may not have the time or the resources to always eat a homemade, fresh and balanced meal, there are still ways to reconnect with the once-and-forever love of your life so you can proudly post that food is not thy enemy.

Here are 7 ways to correct your tangled mess of a foodie relationship and get on to living an uncomplicated life with your eats:

  • Listen to your Body: Really get in touch with your feelings of hunger and fullness. This is always a work in progress for me because I have become a creature of habit. Noon means lunch whether my belly is grumbling or not. While the taste bud delights often interfere with these feelings, make note of when you feel truly satisfied and when food zaps the energy right out of you.
  • Learn more about Food: A healthy relationship with food stems from more than calories and fat. When I first started on my weight loss/healthy living venture I only cared about Points (aka WW ruled my world). However, over time I discovered that other nutrients really impact the way I feel beyond counting calories. Make friends with fiber, protein, vitamins and minerals that will help you assess what your body needs.
  • Bring out the Journal: In order to make new habits, you have to focus on becoming aware of your current relationship status. Writing things down is the best way to acknowledge the times when food fuels you or fails you.
  • Slow it Down: I know that many of us have a sprint mentality, but leave that for the actual racetrack. Eating is one of those times when slowing down will help you stay happily full and not stuffed to the brim—a relationship saver that offers waistline relief. Score! Leaving some cookies on the plate because you recognize your full meter is a major accomplishment and proves that you and food are making stride together.
  • Plan Ahead: If you have a meeting with food on a whim, you may be a little more loosey-goosy with your mingling. Planning ahead helps you balance your intake and avoid poor choices (better known as the planned break-up with food the next day). Don’t let the chaos of everyday life ruin your food relationship. A few minutes of thinking can help youstay on track even when life gets crazy.
  • Stop Obsessing: There was a time during my Weight Watchers’ life when I thought food and I were homies. Turns out, I got a little too involved in my food relationship that I became a flat out control freak. I remember when I had a minor heart attack because my mom put a dollop of olive oil in a pot of boiling pasta so the noodles wouldn’t stick together and I thought the world was over because I had to count that as Points for the day. Who wants to live like that? Although your relationship with food is ongoing and constant, you need to have a general understanding that food will be a part of your life but not rule your life.
  • Stay Positive: I know that unlike other addictions or “bad habits” where you can give them up cold turkey, food will always be a part of your day-to-day because you have to eat to live. Like any relationships that you just can’t shake, you will encounter a few bumps from time to time, but changing your mindset will morph your food relationship from one of constant turmoil to one of bliss. Remeber healthy eating is a journey not a one-and-done transport. Be patient and don’t give up! You and food will be on the same team in no time.

You don’t need to become a farmer that has conversations with apples and only eats organic to have a healthy food relationship.

Just thinking about food as nature’s fuel will get you on track to nourishing your mind and body in a new way that will have you screaming joyous phrases about micronutrients instead of running for the hills with a backpack of carrots.

Let’s remind ourselves of the simplest thing: food you are my fuel….the rest of the “junk” is just unwholesome chatter.

Question of the day: What’s your current relationship status with food?

 

Hope you’ll stop by Bite Size Wellness to chat in bite size portions with me all day long! Or please say hi on Facebook or Twitter.
Talia Tugman lives in New York City with her nearly new husband. In an effort to be in touch with living a healthy lifestyle in a new city, Talia is sharing enlightened wellness living information with others served in bite size portions at Bite Size Wellness.

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Comments

  1. I finally figured out, after years of yo-yo dieting, that my goal is not a number on the scale but to have what I am calling a “normal” relationship with food. Not quite sure yet how I’m going to define that, and I’m not there yet.

  3. Great post!!! So many of us learned the wrong relationship with food when we were young – treats as a reward, lost of unhealthy food in the house, food as a way to get together at every family & friend gathering. Definitely we need to redo that if you grew up that way.

    Watching Weight of the Nation, one person they helped sits at the table & actually it is about 2 minutes before he ever starts eating as he thinks thru his relationship with the food & how it will nourish him… or even just calming down & not jumping into the food. Very interesting.

  4. Such a great post!!! My relationship with food is definitely at a high point right now…
    However, the one area I need to work on is not eating so fast! Like you said, it’s not a sprint! My 16 mo old son makes enjoying long, peaceful dinner nearly impossible so most nights I find that I am shoving the food in my mouth in between making sure he is eating! LOL =)

  5. This is a great post. I have struggled a lot with my relationship with food. I can’t say it’s the greatest, and it almost just depends upon the day how I’m feeling about it. I need to keep your suggestions in mind!

  7. I pretty much eat to fuel for my work day and activities. Fruits/veggies/whole grains/nuts and lean fish/meats. I do reward myself with a beer at the end of the week or a glass of wine at a special occasion. I DON’T take pix of food, or for that matter think about food much during my busy day (sometimes I find myself driving across town eating sushi like yesterday after my bike ride before errands)-it’s just something to fill me up and keep me going. I think all the blogging/pix about food says that you really still have an unhealthy relationship with it-shows you are thinking about it all the time. But whatever.

  8. Well, i’m at the point where i eat the healthy stuff i love, and i consider that a great relationship. Great tips, too.

  9. Such great advice! It really is simple, when you get down to it, but as a society, we have made it much more complicated than it needs to be. A reworking to get to the place you define here is what’s in order for so many people!

  10. This is such a great post! It rang so true with me; I also used Weight Watchers about four years ago to lose weight and “get healthy.” While initially, it helped me better understand my choices and portions, I became a slave to the points, no longer nourishing my body! This is great reminder that food is fuel and health is about finding balance!

    • “Slave to the points” is a great way to describe how I felt too. I am glad that the PointsPlus program now expanded to incorporate more than just fat, fiber and calories. Thanks for reading!

  12. My relationship with food is definitely a love-hate gig. I have set some serious relationship goals, though, and love your great tips to help me achieve them. Thanks for these great tips and the nice swift kick in the tush! Jana

  13. Very useful post, Talia. I try to talk myself into always thinking of food as fuel, but it’s easier said than done for me…takes a lot of concerted effort!

  14. Great post! I agree with the point you made about having a relationship with food. One thing I’ve found to be extremely helpful and useful as a supplement to my current diet/exercise plan is Fullbar (www.fullbar.com). Their gummies and bars help curve my hunger, help me with portion control and keep me from consuming more calories than I really need.

  15. Hi Talia,
    So excited to see you posting here today!
    I love your topic and think that most of us have had a bad relationship with food at one point or another.
    I’m still working on treating it as just another part of my wellness regime. Most days I eat very well and mindfully, other days, the cravings hit and I reach for those chocolate chips!
    I always get back on track though!

  16. I love this point – “There was a time during my Weight Watchers’ life when I thought food and I were homies.”

    There was a time when I was planning (because it is good to plan and be prepared as you’ve noted), but if for some reason, something didn’t work out to what I’d planned, I’d think everything was turned upside down and I’d be in a panic. It was complete obsession.

    Once I changed that mindset and learned flexibility, my relationship changed. 😉

  17. My current relationship with food is, I would say hostile. I have anger issues about the fact that a lot of my friends can eat whatever they want and not gain a pound, where as I think about every single thing that goes into my mouth, and workout at least an hour every day. During the week I am usually really good and stick to a routine of trying to get as much color incorporated into my diet as possible with fruits and veggies, but once the weekend comes around, I am usually weak in giving into going out to eat with friends. But I do keep hope that I will be healthier in the long run because I have had to learn to develop good eating habits, where as one day its all going to hit them and they’re going to be lost on what to do about it!

  18. Really enjoyed reading this post. If anyone out there is looking for an easy fitness bar in order to supplement healthy eating, check out Fitryo Total Bar. Recently purchased one-awesome decision.

  20. My body is 100% what I eat. I am very active and have intense workouts daily, but if I am not eating right then I will gain weight fast. Thank you all of your tips!

  21. It’s amazing how much positivity and a routine can make a difference. After a couple healthy days and good workouts you actually enjoy a new diet.

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