Food is fuel. There’s no denying that. We have to eat so that our bodies have energy to help us perform daily functions. It is important that we eat foods that are healthful and contain all of the nutrients that our bodies need to function well and so that we stay healthy. We have to fuel our bodies with quality fuel in order to function well physically and even for our mental health. If we are eating deep fried foods, sugary drinks, and filling up on empty calories—we aren’t going to feel well physically which can in turn make us feel poorly mentally and emotionally.
But food isn’t just fuel. We do eat for pleasure. We all enjoy a flavorful and satisfying meal. There’s more to it than just eating to fuel our bodies, we have to enjoy what we’re eating too. As we begin to eat healthfully, our tastes change and we begin to crave those foods that are healthy and satisfying. But I think we all want a slice of cheesecake (whatever your “cheesecake” would be) once in a while.
Do we NEED the cheesecake? No. Our bodies do not need cheesecake to function. But mentally, it can be satisfying and indulging in our cravings in moderation can help us to feel satisfied and avoid a binge later so that we never feel deprived.
It’s easy to forget that our mental health is just as much an important part of our health as even heart health. There has to be a balance in body, mind, and spirit in order to feel our best.
There is a difference between eating a piece of cheesecake and hardly even realizing that we’ve eaten it and eating a piece of cheesecake and being truly present and savoring each bite.
Food is a part of every culture. We cannot think about foods as being good or bad, it’s just food. Learning to eat everything in moderation is always the key. But I also don’t feel that there is anything wrong with enjoying a good slice of cheesecake, as long as we are present when we are doing so, which means knowing when we are satisfied and not feeling guilty when we are finished. No, our bodies don’t physically NEED it, but we can enjoy it and still remain balanced. Food is meant to be enjoyed. Part of forming a healthy relationship with food is acknowledging that it’s ok to enjoy food. It’s ok to savor the flavors. We can get pleasure from eating and that’s ok.
But, for me, it’s about balance. I know when I feel my best overall. It is when I am fueling my body with healthful foods and exercising regularly, when I am faithful in my spiritual life, when I am treasuring my relationships with others, and when I am enjoying life—whether it be experiencing new activities, eating delicious foods (in moderation), reading a good book, or pampering myself. Ultimately, there is a mind, body and spiritual connection and it’s ok for food to be a part of that.
And this is something that I want to work on. I don’t want to feel guilty every time I eat something that isn’t considered a “diet food.” I want to have a healthy relationship with food. I want to work on creating that balance when I know that I feel my best.
So what do you think? When do you feel balanced? Do you have a healthy relationship with food or do you struggle with guilty feelings when you indulge mindfully?
This post is purely my own opinion based on my own personal experience.
