We all need food to survive, but the modern diet has undoubtedly proved problematic. We now no longer eat food just to live. We eat when bored, sad, angry, or even when a new restaurant opens. Sadly, we’re also not only eating more than we need; we’re eating foods that aren’t necessarily good for us. 

If you’re struggling to create a healthy relationship with food to look after your body, take note of these helpful tips:   

Cook Your Own Meals

Cooking your own meals is an excellent way to understand what’s going into your food so you can have more control over the ingredients. If you’ve rarely cooked meals for yourself in the past, prepare your kitchen before you get started. 

Stock up on helpful essentials like PFOA and PTFE free cookware, utensils, servingware, and quality appliances. If you’re struggling for inspiration, purchase a few easy recipe books for inspiration. When you’ve got a great foundation to cook delicious meals, you may feel more motivated to do it more often. 

Don’t Use Food As a Coping Mechanism

Many people turn to food when they’re feeling strong emotions like stress or sadness. In fact, studies have found that boredom, tension, tiredness, and loneliness can also trigger overeating in women. 

While you might experience temporary relief from your feelings after eating, you may find yourself using food as more of a crutch or tool than a way to meet your nutritional needs. 

Rather than using food as a coping mechanism, devise a list of alternative tools you can rely on. For example, rather than eating a bag of cookies when you’ve had a stressful day, you might spend 15 minutes meditating or exercising. 

Practice Mindful Eating

We can’t help but browse our phones or watch TV while we’re eating our favorite snacks or meals. It’s almost like food and entertainment is a match made in heaven. However, if you’re trying to create a healthier relationship with food, consider practicing mindful eating instead. 

This can involve focusing on nothing else but your food. Pay attention to its smell, flavor, and texture. Notice how the food feels in your mouth, and think about what it feels like as you swallow it. While mindful eating might sound strange in theory, it’s a valid technique for weight loss management, empowerment, and improved self-esteem. 

Do Away with Diets

Everywhere we look, businesses are trying to sell us the latest and greatest diets with food restrictions, pills, potions, and lotions. They promise quick fixes and extreme results to help us get our dream bodies in the shortest possible timeframes. 

Diets can be damaging, and they rarely work. In fact, 95% of dieters will regain their lost weight within five years. Rather than trying expensive fad diets to feel happier and healthier, focus on enjoying balanced meals. Give your body the nutrients it needs through delicious, well-thought-out meals and snacks. 

Listen to Your Body

We tend to ignore our bodies when it comes to food. We want to empty our plates to avoid waste rather than stopping when we’re full. Start listening to your body rather than following your regular habits. 

Only eat when you feel hungry. If you’re not hungry between meals, you don’t have to eat snacks just because it’s what you’ve always done. 

Building a healthy relationship with food can be crucial for maintaining your physical health and happiness. Whether you’re struggling to make healthy food choices or want more control over what you put in your body, try following some of the helpful advice above.