The Language We Speak Shapes the Ways We Eat

The way you talk about food matters. WHY? 

Because language can have a powerful effect on your relationship with food, your thoughts about it and yourself, and your behaviours. Likely without you even realising it.

Some common ways I hear clients and people around me speak about food and how we can try to look at food more objectively – 

“I was ‘bad’ today” === You ate dessert today

“I have been eating junk too much” === You have been eating certain snacks and foods more than usual

“I binged all weekend” === you enjoyed little more or different foods on weekend

“Yesterday was a ‘cheat’ day” === you ate out at restaurant yesterday and enjoyed little dessert

“I need to start eating ‘clean’” === you are eating food not cocain, your food is already clean

Here are the takeaways:

• Food is neither good nor bad. FOOD IS FOOD
• When you label food or yourself as such, invokes shame and the desire to punish yourself
• When you refer to certain foods as ‘bad’, ‘clean’, juck’ or something you shouldn’t have, you give it the ability to control you
• Even though you might not be aware of it, these words have an impact. You’re subconsciously reinforcing negative connotations toward food.
• Naturally, you will restrict or limit your consumption of a certain food if you consider it to be “bad.”
• The more you restrict yourself, the more you’ll end up “giving in” and overeating.

Do this instead:

• Avoid labelling your foods with such words – “bad,” “junk,” “crap,” “cheating
• When you do that, food just becomes food. It loses its power, it’s no longer off limits, and you’ll break the cycle of overeating and restricting.
• If you make food choices that don’t align with your goals, you can allow yourself to enjoy the experience and then get back on track the next day or meal.
• If you make food choices that don’t align with your goals, it does not mean the food was bad. It does not mean it was bad of you to eat it. It does not reflect your morals or your worth as a human being. It means you are a human being and you can enjoy all foods at any time.