Addressing Food Phobias
Spooky season is among us, folks — candy, popcorn, candy corn, and green punch galore! Yet alas, the thought of ‘eating for pleasure’ can feel just plain off-putting. Why is that? You might be asking yourself….
“ Is it wrong to want to eat my favourites types of Halloween candy?”
“ Am I messing up if I allow myself to indulge in it on this one day of the year?”
“ Will eating sweets ruin my chances at « being healthy » ? “
Three words: you’re overthinking it.
On the path to building better eating habits, it’s important to remind ourselves that in life, there will always be different (food) situations that are more or less within our control. For instance, eating food will always be a necessity, we will always be exposed to new types of foods and some habits & traditions will remain ‘habits & traditions’.
While we must learn to accept the situations that are beyond our control, we are also in control as to how we choose to react to it, acknowledge it and/or view it.
Here are some quick & friendly reminders to challenge those everyday food fears and doubts, and to know that we can welcome in both the “good” and the “bad” foods into our bellies:
1. Embrace the surprise
Love it, hate it — at least you tried it! Too sweet, too bland, too creamy, too salty, too greasy… in reality, there shouldn’t be any judgment associated to liking, disliking, desiring or wanting to taste a type of specific food. It’s just a combination of your personal taste and curiosity!
2. Reflect on your feelings
When our focus is overly concentrated on the small details, we tend forget the bigger picture when it comes just eating food — that is, the good company, the good memories, the atmosphere, and our state of mind of when celebrating a holiday.
The next time you’re out eating something new or “bad for you”, try not to overthink or beat yourself up over it. That is, try not to think about how many calories you’re gonna have to pound off the following day, or the macros it’s gonna add to your MyFitnessPal account…just be grateful of your body telling you otherwise (i.e. good? bad? ok?). Eating food is meant to be relaxing, not stressful.
3. Remember what you do have control over
Whether you’re at a party with some close friends, a family gathering or at a restaurant with others, here are some simple nutritional guidelines to ask yourself when feeling doubtful of your own eating habits:
How often do you eat it? And what will that really change if you ate it today?
Is your portion size reasonable ? Will it really do anything on after this one occasion?
What is preventing you or forcing you to eat it?
Is it good? And why is it such a bad thing?
Remember, there’s a fundamental difference between limiting certain foods and fearing foods.
Give yourself a break this spooky time of the year! Enjoy the costumes, the sweets, the company and the beautiful fall season. Chase away the inner demons (or shall I say…boo! lol) that are preventing you from enjoying the simple small pleasures of life. And remember, the journey to wellness is nothing but a constant process.
Happy Halloween everyone!