Love the Relationship You Have With Food

By Donna Stark

Being in a relationship is hard, but it really doesn't need to be. If you take the time to choose the right person, if you're open to the journey and embrace the process of growth and exploration, a hard relationship can suddenly become so much easier to develop and sustain. Healthy relationships are so incredibly vital to our overall health and happiness, aren't they? And I'm not only talking about the relationships that we have with others, because the exact same thing can be said about the relationship we have with food as well.

Lose the Toxicity

For so many people, the relationship they have with food is one of the most toxic relationships they have in their lives, and although we all know that good nutrition is the cornerstone for great health, our diets are so often treated as an inconsequential component in our daily lives. If this sounds like your life, it's time to change. Here are some simple steps on how to turn that toxic relationship into a healthier one.

• Make it delicious - When you lose the love for food, you risk losing your healthy eating habits as well. You may find that you stop caring about what you consume and are simply eating for the sole reason of giving your body fuel. Food is meant to be pleasurable, so take the time to put some extra love into your cooking and make your meals delicious.
• Ask before you eat - Is the food that you are about to eat helpful to your health or is it doing more harm than good? It's OK if you have an unhealthy meal every now and then, but the key idea here is to only have it every now and then. Keep a good balance with what you are consuming!  
• Know your enemies - It's important to be aware of your triggers when it comes to a healthy diet. If you know you have a weakness for sweets or if you can't help but to grab extra rolls when the bread basket is passed around, be sure to have a backup plan when the situation warrants it. Be mindful of all the ways that your "enemies" can sneak into your diet.
• Stick to whole, natural foods - Sure, you have probably heard this a million times already, but if the ingredients in your food don't sound like actual food, it's best if you just walk away. Instead, choose whole, natural ingredients that are nutrient-dense. You certainly can't go wrong with that!

Building That Healthy Relationship With Food

We need to start having the same intentions with our relationship with food as we do with people. We need to go out of our way to give it the extra time and attention that it requires, but most importantly, we need to nourish and embrace it every single day.

To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Scottsdale, Ariz.