Healthy, Happy Eating
Whether it’s a New Year’s resolution, bathing suit season, or a special event like prom or a wedding, body image insecurities creep into the front of our thoughts. A multi-billion-dollar diet culture industry and what we see in media encourages what blogger, Alissa Rumsey, calls the “Internal Food Police”:
“The food police are the unreasonable rules in your head, created by dieting and diet culture that cause you to feel guilty. These rules are housed deep in your brain and pop up on a daily basis to govern your food decisions. It’s impossible to view eating as a normal, pleasurable activity when the food police have hold. ”
One of the best ways to combat our “internal food police” and support a healthier body image is through what we call Healthy, Happy Eating and it consists of the following components:
Enjoy eating food
Enjoy the food you are eating. Think about its taste and all the strength and energy it will give you. Research shows that when you actually enjoy the food you’re eating (positive eating), it has more nutritional gain. Another aspect of “positive eating” can include normalizing food for our families. A great way to normalize food can be to make cooking/baking a family activity with some of the simple materials you have at home.
Avoid labeling food as good or bad
Find a balance in all food, and remember every type of food provides something that your body needs. By remembering that all food contains nutrition and fuel, you can introduce your family to Intuitive Eating. This type of eating recognizes that our bodies are intelligent and will tell us what we need. Intuitive Eating will support your child[ren] in developing a positive body image and relationship with food.
Avoid equating health with body size
As a society, we tend to link health to body size. That is not an accurate representation. Each person’s body is different and needs different things. Our bodies change as we age, or as we live through major life events like a pandemic. A change in our routine might mean we don’t have access to the foods we usually eat. Appreciate all that your body can do, and one way to acknowledge that is through joyful movement.
Rediscover joyful movement
Joyful movement is movement that isn’t measured by things like counting calories or weight loss. Movement is a great way to combat anxiety during this uncertain time. The only guideline is that it feels good to you. Joyful movement can easily be added into any family routine and can include at-home activities like creating an obstacle course for the kids (or yourself), going on a morning walk, doing yoga at night to relax, or riding bikes.
At Ophelia’s Place, we encourage all of our youth to practice self-compassion and gentleness. We are all doing the best we can. Be gentle. You got this. Tell us how you and your family are experiencing joyful movement, or being creative with your meals while you’re home. Tag us on Facebook , Instagram, or Twitter to share your ideas!
Some additional local food resources if you or someone you know needs support:
Oregon Hunger
Food for Lane County
Junction City Local Aid
Linn Benton Food Share