Our relationship with the food we eat is something that takes a lifetime of intentionality. We are conditioned with so many thoughts, ideas, and beliefs from all angles, starting when we are small children. The relationship varies from person to person, and this idea of having a healthy relationship with food is incredibly individual. But, it's a crucial part of having a good relationship with our bodies, and that is worth doing the work!

Here are some ways to improve and transform your relationship with food:

Listen to and Understand Your Body

Thankfully, diet culture has slowly shifted from being restrictive and counting calories to eating intuitively and listening to your body. We want to feed our bodies and nourish them so they can thrive, and deprivation isn't the way to do that. Listen to its cues -- if your body is telling you you're hungry, honor it. If you're thirsty, drink water. Learning these cues and distinctions can help you provide your body with precisely what it needs.

Honor Your Cravings

Now that you understand your body's signals and can distinguish cues from cravings, remember that you should also enjoy your food. Further restricting yourself from a craving will only make you feel more deprived, which usually leads to binge eating or giving up on healthy eating altogether. This cycle is also associated with feelings of guilt and failure‚, and there's no need to bring guilt or shame into your relationship with food. Notice the cravings you have, see if you can learn anything from them, and enjoy your meals.

Make Sure You're Getting all the Right Nutrients

Although intuitive eating is the best approach, we still need to keep in mind some basic rules. Rather than having a restrictive approach to eating, try to think of foods and, more specifically, nutrients that you should add to your meals. Make sure you're eating a balanced diet that includes healthy carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. You don't need to measure and obsess, but keep this in mind when putting together your meals. Again, not every meal has to be perfectly balanced— just be mindful of your daily intake and whether you've had enough of everything. If you had a carb-heavy breakfast, try to include a source of healthy fats and proteins for lunch or dinner, and add as many veggies as you can.

Find Other Hobbies to Combat Stress and Boredom

Excessive and mindless snacking are often a result of emotional eating, usually out of boredom or stress. Try to find activities or hobbies that you can do instead, such as taking a walk or reading a book. This is another example of listening to your body and understanding when you need something other than food to satisfy you. If you are stressed, you don't necessarily need a bag of chips, but your mind and body could probably benefit from a warm bath or some time to yourself.

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