Intuitive Eating Principle 4: Challenging the "Food Police"

In our modern-day society, it's easy to find ourselves in the middle of a toxic diet culture surrounded by the judgments and demands of what some like to call the "food police."

The food police is the inner monolog one has with themselves around eating choices. The unreasonable food rules deeply ingrained in our psyche, dictate how we perceive food and often lead to an unhealthy relationship with eating. But what if there was a way to break free from this toxic cycle? 

This is where intuitive eating comes into play to help curate a healthier, more blanched mindset. At the core of intuitive eating lies the crucial step of pushing back the negative thoughts of the food police. These internalized voices often describe food in moralistic terms – labeling certain foods as "good," "bad," "pure," or "tempting." However, such judgmental language only furthers guilt and shame surrounding eating habits. It is important to realize that food is not meant to be moralized. It's important to develop a nonjudgmental awareness of our thoughts and reframe our judgmental thoughts.

But where do these unhealthy judgmental beliefs stem from? Many of these thoughts can stem from the influence of diet culture, which promotes ever-changing distorted beliefs about food and body image. Another influence on the food police is familial influences, such as discussions of dieting, weight, and judgment on eating certain foods. 

So now that we know about the food police, let's talk about dismantling these judgments. The key is cognitive behavioral therapy, which takes our judgmental and distorted thoughts and works to replace them with logical alternatives by questioning the truth and validity behind our statements. 

For example: 

Distorted Thought: I can only eat carbs once a day, even if I am craving them, as they will cause me to gain weight. 

Reframed Thought: Eating carbs at every meal is essential for nourishment and a healthy relationship with food; I should honor my cravings, as eating carbs more than once a day does not automatically lead to weight gain. 

Through this process of reflection and reframing, we can start to create a healthier relationship with food and our bodies. By acknowledging and addressing the feelings – such as anxiety, shame, or disappointment – that often surround eating, we can gradually shift towards a more positive and compassionate approach to nourishment.

So, the next time the food police come creeping, remember to challenge their authority. Trust your natural ability to eat intuitively and embrace a mindset of kindness and acceptance towards yourself. After all, the journey to true food freedom begins with challenging our diet culture and other judgments around food and taking back our power over what we eat and how we feel when eating it!

Picture:

“Pin De Hanna Em Table for Two: Fotografia de Viagem, Fotografia.” Pinterest, 4 Apr. 2022, www.pinterest.com/pin/261419953361359399/.