How To Stop Obsessing Over Food!

Do you find yourself constantly thinking about food? Maybe you feel like you have an overactive sweet tooth, or your stomach is a bottomless pit and you’re hungry ALL THE TIME. They’re thoughts that are common, but don’t need to be your story. Let’s dive into my How to Stop Obsessing Over Food tips.

There are so many reasons why this could be happening, I am going to cover a couple common ones. I feel confident talking and teaching on this because I, myself, struggled with it for YEARS prior to beginning my career! 

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1. You are restricting yourself from the foods that you LOVE!

Food deprivation may cause you to crave these foods even more. This is the nature of the human brain! When you tell yourself, you can’t have something you suddenly want it more! These restrictions can lead to binges, overeating and even stronger cravings.

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2. You are not eating enough!

Under eating can cause you to have nutrient deficiencies. If your calorie intake is quite low, your survival mechanisms have kicked in. Your body doesn’t know that your intention is to lose weight, it just knows that you are not consuming enough food. Not eating enough can drive those strong impulses to eat more by altering so many variables in your body such as your leptin, ghrelin, cortisol levels and more… 

The negative effects of under eating/ malnutrition:

•  Slows down your metabolism
•  Affects your hormones
•  Negatively impacts your relationship with food (hello restriction)
•  May cause binge eating or other disordered eating habits
•  Prevents muscle gain
•  Prevents muscle maintenance
•  Low energy levels
•  Malnutrition
•  Stops bodies ability to burn fat
•  Increases fatigue
•  Adversely affects your mood

Now ask yourself a few questions…

1. Do you label foods as “good” or “bad”?
2. Do you feel guilty after eating your favorite food that may not be “low calorie”? 
3. Do you only eat the foods you love when you feel like you deserve them?⠀⠀⠀⠀

If the answer is yes to all or some of these questions that is okay! There are things you can start doing today to improve your relationship with food.

How to start improving your relationship with food:

• Start journaling. No not just a food journal where you track your food, but actually JOURNAL your thoughts and feelings surrounding food. If you begin to feel stressed and anxious and want to turn to food for comfort or anything other than for fuel – write it down. What are you craving? Are your thoughts around this food coming from a good place or is it connected to something else? Recognizing unhealthy behaviors begins with understanding your psychological state throughout the day.
• Everything is okay in moderation. I recommend following the 80/20 rule. Use that 20% to enjoy yourself and the foods you love.
•  Enjoy food guilt free! If you are indulging in a treat or treat meal, enjoy it. Don’t try to skip meals or run yourself off a treadmill as a punishment.
• EAT MORE FOOD. I love eating big meals that have lots of volume. Knowing I’m eating a “large” meal is just better for how my brain functions. You can easily add volume by including lots of veggies to make you feel satiated!
• Food is not therapy. Re-frame the way you think about food, it is not a reward nor a punishment. You are in control of food, food does not control YOU!⠀⠀
• Find out what’s going to be best for you. Do you need a set food plan? Do you need to work with a coach to get your hormones and gut health in balance? Do you need to track your macros or eat intuitively? Establishing what’s going to work for YOU is key!⠀⠀⠀

Under eating does NOT = ABS, RESULTS or HAPPINESS. 

Okay, let me clarify! If you are wanting to lose fat being in a calorie deficit is important. However, if you are under eating or you have been dieting for an extended period its time to bump up those calories!

I know it’s scary as all heck to increase the amount of food you are eating, but your body is going to THANK YOU FOR IT. Right now if you’re following a restrictive diet, or something that’s leaving you feeling deprived than chances are you’re actually harming your body and slowing down your progress. 

Basically, nothing good comes of fueling your body with empty calories or restricting yourself in unhealthy ways. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms or would like to chat about how you can get on a plan that’s going to leave you feeling satisfied and your healthiest, email me! I am here to support you.