3 things to give up to heal your relationship with food
How would you describe your relationship with food?
When you go out for a meal, are you constantly thinking about calories, carbs or whether dessert will ruin your progress?
Or are you able to enjoy the food and the people you’re with, without overthinking every bite?
For years, I lived in the first category. Food took up way too much headspace. I obsessed over calories, restricted what I ate, and used high-intensity workouts to "burn it off."
During my “clean eating” phase, I avoided processed foods, banned gluten and dairy, and stressed over grams of sugar - yes, even in fruit.
The result? I was anxious, disconnected from my body, and rarely enjoyed food.
To heal my relationship with food, I had to let go of a few things. Here are three that made a big difference.
1. Short-Term Thinking
So many diet plans are built around the short term:
30 days to a flat stomach
10 days to cut sugar
28 days of clean eating
And maybe you can give up dairy for a month. But forever? That’s a different story.
These short-term plans often lead to the yo-yo cycle. You stick to the “rules,” lose a bit of weight, feel like it’s working… then the restriction becomes too much.
You binge on all the off-limit foods, you blame yourself and then you start over again. It’s exhausting.
The truth is, it’s not about willpower. It’s biology.
Long-term studies show that most people regain the weight they lose on diets - and many end up heavier than when they started.
What works?
A long-term approach that includes all foods. One where meals are nourishing and satisfying, where nothing is off-limits, and there’s no “starting over tomorrow.”
💚 Want help finding a long-term relationship with food that feels good? Check out my free Binge-Free Guide
2. Food Labels
Think about how you talk about food.
Do you call chocolate a “naughty treat”? Are chips “bad” and spinach “good”? Do you feel proud when you eat a salad and guilty after cake?
You’re not alone. Most diet plans rank food in a hierarchy - green, amber, red. Zero points or “free foods.” It all sends the message that some foods are morally better than others.
But when you label food as “bad,” eating it makes you feel bad. Cue guilt, shame, and frustration. And guilt often leads to more chaotic eating.
Instead, try neutral language. It’s just a bar of chocolate. Or an apple. Not good, not bad - just different.
3. The “Food is Fuel” Mentality
Yes, food gives us energy. But reducing it to just “fuel” misses the richness of what food means in our lives.
Food is comfort, joy, connection. It’s birthday cake, Friday night pizza, a quiet coffee with a friend. It’s celebration, culture, nostalgia. It’s how we connect with others - and ourselves.
When we treat food only as fuel, we miss the emotional and social meaning it holds.
And ironically, that can disconnect us from our body’s true needs.
Food can be both nourishing and enjoyable. It’s allowed to bring you pleasure.
Final Thoughts
Letting go of these beliefs wasn’t easy, but it changed everything.
I stopped obsessing over every meal and my relationship with food. I started listening to my body. I found food freedom - and I want that for you too.
💚 If you’re ready to break free from guilt, bingeing, and constant food stress, watch my free masterclass: From Binges to Balance to end that eating chaos.
Or if you have any questions, just pop me a message using the form below. I’ll reply back with some tips and strategies you can use straight away.