Gentle Reminder: It’s Just Food

A piece of vanilla sponge came on a plate with a dollop of cream, a strawberry and a small fork.
~ Julie de Rohan

Some food has a higher nutritional content than other food. Some food is produced more ethically than other food.  Neither of these facts can be disputed.

What is up for debate is how helpful it is for you psychologically and emotionally to label food as “good” or “bad”, “healthy” or “unhealthy”.

If you consider one food more off-limits or “naughty” than another, which one are you most likely to reach for when you’ve had a bad day? Or when you need a pick-me-up? Or when you want to treat yourself?

Put it another way: we don’t binge on broccoli.

If you stop labelling food as good or bad, you give yourself the chance to get out of your head and into your body. You’re more likely to hear the information your body is trying to give you such as “I’m hungry for this particular food”, “that food doesn’t agree with me”, “I’ve had enough” or “that’s too much”.

It’s hard to have that relationship with your body when your head is a muddle of rules and regulations.

But if you stop judging food, it becomes just that – food. All that matters then is whether you truly feel like it or not, whether it will satisfy you or if there’s something else you need.

If you do one thing this year, perhaps you could commit to changing the way you talk about food and yourself. Food is not good or bad and neither are you because of what you eat.

If you really want to make peace with food, losing the labels would be a great start.

©️ Julie de Rohan 2019.

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For a reminder about changing how you relate to food, you can read “How Do You Heal Your Relationship with Food?”

Published by Julie de Rohan

A specialist psychotherapist helping people struggling with compulsive eating, emotional eating and binge eating disorder.

22 thoughts on “Gentle Reminder: It’s Just Food”

  3. Hi Julie, you’re so right, we give food a lot more power than we should. It is an essential part of our lives, but as you point out, it’s all about how we view it. Thanks for the post, Lxx

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    1. Thanks Lol. Yes, I think the language we use gives food power which is why many people feel like they’re not in control of food, it controls them.
      Obviously, there are other factors to consider such as the chemical effect that salt and sugar have on us, but I think changing our language can really help to diminish that power.

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  4. I understand what you’re saying, but have trouble letting go of using food as rewards…for getting up in the morning, doing my work at the computer, making it through the day… those sorts of things.

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    1. I think your experience will resonate with many, many people. Even those without eating issues will sometimes use food as a reward. However, it’s a real problem for my clients when it’s become so habitual that it means they’re regularly overeating. That makes them really unhappy. And if it makes them unhappy, it isn’t really a reward. It can be useful to them to find other ways to reward and comfort themselves – not easy at first as it feels like nothing can replace food but, ultimately, they’re often able to find alternatives. I certainly know that I use music in the way that I used to use food and often find myself reaching for the “play” button on my i-pod when previously I would have reached for biscuits or chocolate. Thank you so much for your comment, Becky, and for sharing your experience.

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    1. You’re right, Deepa – we each share a unique – and sometimes complicated – relationship with food. Lovely to hear from you, thank you for your comment.

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    1. Absolutely – if we allow it. That’s why it’s so empowering to change the way we view it and speak about it. Thank you for reading and commenting.

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  7. This is so spot on, Julie. We attach labels and make associations with food based on what’s ‘good’ and ‘bad, ‘healthy’ and ‘unhealthy’ often based on the likes of fat or calories. A shift in perspective towards what’s enjoyable, what our bodies need, what this food can help us achieve (with calories for energy, or protein for muscles) is much kinder to our brains too rather than beating ourselves up and overthinking it all, which totally takes away the enjoyment from food, too.xx

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    1. Very well said, Caz. You’re so right about preoccupation with food taking all the pleasure out of eating – mealtimes become a minefield, rather than a time to enjoy what you’re eating.

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  10. Hello from me Julie how are you. Trying to catch up with what I have been missing. Yes food is important as we need to eat to keep us healthy and strong. I do believe in eating healthy, and treat eating as a necessity to live – to have energy to do what we need to lead our lives. Many Blessings of Love, Light and Healing Energies coming your way. Take Care 🙂 ❤

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