It’s incredible how our attitude to ourselves, our bodies and what we eat is so strongly linked. When we love ourselves and our bodies, we fill it with nourishing nutrients. But when we are critical or self-shaming, we tend to overindulge or choose foods that are no good for us…which only leads to poor self-esteem and even more criticism.
Here we look at some easy ways to love yourself, your body and your food.
1 See Food as Fuel
Food isn’t about good or bad. Instead, it’s about choice. Choose foods that give your body a big dollop of long-lasting, natural energy. As you embrace foods that fuel you for longer – and don’t give you that sickly heavy feeling – your body will crave more. Over time, you will naturally choose the best foods for your body at that moment, rather than making emotional decisions.
2 Make Positive Affirmations
Positive affirmations allow you to see yourself a particular way. You’re not hoping for a particular life or lifestyle, or reflecting on past mistakes. Instead, you are saying ‘I am this way already’. For instance, practice telling yourself ‘I fill my body with nourishing, clean foods” or “I don’t diet, because I love myself and my body.’ Stick this mantra wherever you’ll see it, and speak it out loud whenever that negative self-image gremlin appears.
3 Enjoy eating
Eating can be incredibly pleasurable, but only if you allow it to be. Rather than eating while running about, watching TV or working, sit down and slowly eat your food. Practice mindfulness – focus on how it tastes, feels, smells. Look at a forkful of food up close. Even say ‘thank you’ out loud before you eat – it’s like you’re thanking nature for providing the nourishment you’re about to enjoy.
4 Respect Yourself
How you treat yourself is how you expect others to treat you. So if you want respect and love, begin with expressing it to yourself. Skip the drive through and fatty foods that make you feel rubbish, and instead respect your body enough to eat clean produce. That doesn’t mean you can’t have sweet treats; but rather than shoveling them down your throat, buy the best you can afford and slowly savour it, morsel by morsel.
