How do you talk about food?
The “good vs. bad” language about food is everywhere, and it’s a hallmark of diet culture.
There is no such thing as good or bad food
I’m going to say it again
There is no such thing as good or bad food
I don’t even particularly like labeling foods as ‘healthy’ or ‘unhealthy’ as health is so subjective and contextual
“Language reflects our culture, and it can have a big impact on our relationship with food. This moralistic way of talking about food perpetuates the idea that if a food tastes really good and is satisfying to eat, it must be bad for you. This idea can cause us to restrict tasty foods, only to overdo them later. It’s uncomfortable at all points in the cycle.” – goodluckbread.com
Yes, some foods are objectively ‘nutritious’, others feed the soul. Sometimes we eat food for cultural reasons. Sometimes we eat food because we are anxious, and it can feel soothing. Sometimes we eat foods because we are celebrating. Some foods we eat because we are experiencing the local cuisine. Some foods we eat because we are hot, or cold. Sometimes we eat food because pizza exists.
You get the idea
Diet culture wants you to label food because if we label foods as ‘bad’ we will feel guilty after eating them. this guilt then leads you to want to diet = investment into the mutli-million dollar industry. Diet culture wants you to label foods as ‘good’ and make you feel like you need to ‘earn’ them by restricting yourself or doing intense exercise.
You think by doing this you’ll lose weight and feel great. Nope, instead what we have here is a recipe for disordered eating. Or in other words a bundle of guilt, shame, fear, anxiety, deprivation, confusion, frustration and desire to eat everything in sight = weight gain = guilt…. and you see how the cycle works here.
Do you want to overcome food fears, and cultivate greater freedom and flexibility around food? Do you want to be more connected to the taste, texture, pleasure and joy food brings? Do you want to be able to eat intuitively without rules and restrictions?
A great place to start is to be mindful about how you talk about food, and the language you use.
And no, this isn’t easy. Don’t expect to seperate your beliefs around food and morality overnight. Like most good things, it’s a process that involves questioning and challenging your own thoughts. If you find yourself thinking you “shouldn’t” eat something, ask yourself why. Is it because you think the food is “bad”, even though you’re craving it?
Try this: tune out that thought and eat the food, then pay attention to how it makes you feel. It takes work, but with practice, you’ll be able to tune out all the moral language around food and instead trust your own judgement.
I love what Jessie Golden (dietician says) here:
In the same way that putting yourself into financial debt as you make frivolous purchases because you "deserve it" is abusive to your current and future self…
…mindlessly overloading your body with foods & drinks it doesn’t care for, neglecting movement, or forgoing sleep because you "deserve it" is abusing your current & future self.
—ON THE FLIP SIDE—
In the same way you can put yourself into debt while investing in education, mentorship, or tools that will be providing for future gains…
…you can choose to drink more booze, eat more processed foods or decline needed sleep in favor of something that truly aligns with your own values and priorities.
The important distinction is that you are in the driver’s seat and are consciously making these decisions. Your consciousness is KEY!
Start paying attention to the language you use with food, and you may be surprised by just how much of it is taking away your power.
