Most would consider this a pretty balanced breakfast. A breakfast I had almost every single morning for 3 years straight. I don’t actually want to know how many variations of this picture I have on my phone.
I’m showing you this because it is literally a picture of food rules.
What’s a Food Rule?
Simply put, food rules are a guideline or belief we have that determines why we choose to eat or avoid certain foods.
Just looking at that picture I can count at least half a dozen rules that came into play as I put food on my plate. Honestly, looking at that picture is uncomfortable. I can feel the mindset of the girl who made those choices. The mindset of the girl who held those beliefs. Rigid.
So, Let’s Talk About…
You may be thinking, I don’t have food rules. Or, my food rules are okay. But hear me out. If you can’t enjoy food without shame or guilt, something isn’t right. There is a time and place for all foods. All foods fit. If you’re at your cousin’s birthday, at an arcade, and you won’t eat the cake because of a food rule, are you really enjoying yourself? If you deviate from your usual breakfast and if feels like your entire day out of wack, are you absolutely positive everything is okay.
I can look at that picture, and remember feeling completely distraught if my plate didn’t look exactly as pictured. If I had to get a scramble instead of an omelet, I was disappointed and almost didn’t want to eat. I wasn’t enjoying my food. It was monotonous, predictable, and controlled. I dreaded deviating from the plan. I felt like a out of control and like a complete failure when my meals didn’t go as planned. If this sounds familiar, I would love to talk more about this with you.
The Quick Fix:
Sometimes we have food rules so long that they become unspoken. I know this to be true for myself. One of the best ways to test this is doing the opposite. If the opposite action feels scary, you feel, guilt or shame, maybe it’s time to take a deeper look at what you believe about food.
I want us to think about foods we’re “not allowed to have” or that we “would never eat”. Ask yourself where that came from. Did it come from a genuine dislike? Media saying a certain food or type of food is bad? Fear?
Really ask yourself: how flexible am I with food?
Today is the best day to change your life!