Internally, feeling guilt is often seen as something productive. We beat ourselves up and tell ourselves to do better for our own sake. When in reality, the guilt we feel only does harm.
Why There is No Need to Feel Food Guilt
Food Guilt Perpetuates a Start-and-Stop Cycle
How To Stop Feeling Food Guilt
1. Bring Awareness to When and Why You’re Experiencing Food Guilt
You may have made a mindless choice and didn’t realize it until after the fact
This type of guilt tends to have less to do with the food itself, but more to do with you taking or not taking a specific action.
You may have food rules
Compassionately reflect to inflict change
2. Let Go of The Food Rules
Think about what would happen when you were a kid and your parent, guardian, or teacher told you that you weren’t allowed to do something. How would you react?
I’m willing to bet you wanted to do exactly what they said not to do and wanted to do it so much more. This is the exact same series of events that occurs with food rules. It’s simply human nature.
When we tell ourselves that we can’t have a food item, it’s bad for us, we’re not allowed to have it – we’re inadvertently putting the food item on a pedestal. A pedestal that makes us idealize the food item and want it so much more than if we had just allowed ourselves to have some in the first place.
Once we do have the food item — either because we finally allow ourselves, reward ourselves, or it’s simply placed in front of us and we no longer have self-control — we’re much more likely to overindulge and subsequently experience that extreme sense of guilt we’re looking to avoid.
When we remove these food rules altogether, when we take the food item off of the pedestal, the food item no longer has power over us. We no longer feel out of control around it, and therefore that guilt cycle stops.
Let go of the food rules, and the guilt will go with it.
3. Slow Down Before Meals
4. Grant Yourself Permission to Reduce Food Guilt
5. Practice Compassionate Curiosity
The older we get the more we learn that things don’t always go according to plan. It’s inevitable for things to take a sharp left turn without our intention every once in a while. When this does happen, practicing compassionate curiosity can allow us to break the guilt cycle.
Instead of negative self-talk, when you find yourself in a situation where things could have gone one way, but unfortunately went in another, pause and reflect. Ask yourself without judgment, “Why did this happen?”, “Was it even in my control?”, “If possible, how might I do things differently next time to prevent this same situation from happening again?”.
By reflecting with compassion and curiosity, you’re able to look ahead to the future and plan for success rather than dwell on the past.
How to Receive More Support If You’re Experiencing Food Guilt
Do You Want to Experience More Balance with your Food Choices?
Then find your balanced eating type!
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