Food is such an integral part of our lives, and yet so many of us have a complicated relationship with it. We often turn to food as a source of comfort in hard times or resort to extreme diet and exercise routines when struggling to meet unrealistic expectations. Yet the truth is that having a healthy relationship with food is much simpler than we make it out to be: it’s all about balance. In this blog post, Tommy Shek shares his top tips for developing a healthier mindset around food so you can enjoy meals without guilt or stress!
How To Have A Healthy Relationship With Food? Tommy Shek Answers
1. Identify Your Eating Motivations: Before embarking on any new eating journey, it is important, as per Tommy Shek, to take the time to explore and understand your motivations for change. Consider why you want to make changes to your diet or routine; what is making you want to pursue a healthier relationship with food? Is it because of health reasons? To improve body image? To feel more energetic during the day? Identifying the root causes behind starting this journey will help keep you focused and motivated as you move forward.
2. Make Intentional Choices: When we are presented with an array of options at restaurants or in our cupboards, it can be difficult to know which one to choose. Making conscious decisions rather than simply opting for the easiest or most familiar option can help you get closer to your goals. Doing research into which foods are more nutrient-dense and making meals around those items will be beneficial in the long run.
3. Listen To Your Body: Learning to be in tune with your body’s natural cravings, hunger signals, and fullness levels is essential for creating a healthier relationship with food. Tuning out external messages telling us what we should and shouldn’t eat can help us pay attention to our bodies instead of society’s standards. Eating when you’re hungry and stopping when you’re full is key – it helps prevent overeating, as well as encourages mindful eating practices like paying attention to how foods make you feel.
4. Focus On The Positive: It’s easy to get caught up in the negatives of eating and food choices, especially amidst today’s diet-obsessed culture. Instead of focusing on all the foods that should be avoided, try to center on positive messages around nourishment and self-care. For example, if you turn down a slice of cake, don’t focus on what you can’t have – instead, think about how your body will thank you later for opting for something healthier.
5. Find Balance: According to Tommy Shek, when it comes to having a healthy relationship with food, balance is key. Aiming for perfection or trying too hard to adhere to unrealistic standards will only exacerbate feelings of guilt or shame. Remember that it’s not about being perfect; it’s about finding a healthy balance that works for you. Allowing yourself to indulge in the occasional treat and not beating yourself up for slips can help reduce feelings of guilt or stress, creating a healthier relationship with food overall.
Tommy Shek’s Concluding Thoughts
By identifying your motivations, making intentional choices, listening to your body’s natural signals, focusing on positive messages around nourishment and self-care, and maintaining balance, you can start to create a healthier relationship with food. This can be a complex process, but by taking small steps each day – such as meal prepping more often or reducing added sugars – it is possible, says Tommy Shek, to form new habits that contribute towards improved well-being over time.