4 Ways to Build a Better Relationship with Food

December 4, 2023

Written By: Mairead, Registered Dietitian


How's your relationship with food? Do you feel like it's pretty good, or is this something you struggle with? 

A good relationship with food means that it doesn't take up too much space in our brains, and thinking about eating doesn't take over our lives. It means you're able to adapt your diet if needed to improve your health, without causing excessive stress or being scared of eating the wrong thing. It means you can be flexible in how you're eating, without panicking or feeling the need to compensate for it. It also means trusting your body to know when it's hungry and when it's full.

So how do we get there? Try these 4 tips:

#1: Let go of "all or nothing" thinking! This is the idea that we have to be following our diet or food rules perfectly, or we don't follow them at all. Moving past this kind of approach can lead to greater health gains since you'll be able to make improvements more consistently. Start by telling yourself that you don't need to have a "good or bad" day in regards to food. Some aspects can be good, some can be not-so-good, and that's ok.

#2: Identify your food rules and where they come from! Food rules can be any belief about food or standard that you try to hold yourself to. These could include anything about what time you eat, or what types of foods you do and don't eat, or how much of certain foods you're allowed to eat. Once you notice your food rules, think about where they come from. Is this something you were told to do for a specific medical condition? Is it something you picked up from a friend or family member? Is it actually improving your health? If a rule is causing you stress or to miss out on things, is there another way to get the same end result? There's no right or wrong answers, but this can give you some clarity on any rules that are working for you and and which are not.

#3: Give yourself unconditional permission to eat! You never need to earn your food, nor do you need to deprive your body of the fuel it needs. No matter what you ate today, yesterday, or will eat tomorrow, you still have permission to eat. Practice honouring your hunger cues and cravings when you're able to. When negative thoughts come up telling you that you shouldn't be eating that much or that food, take a deep breath and let the thoughts go.

#4: Move past the extremes! When people think of letting go of their food rules or getting away from dietiting, they often think this means they'll just eat treat foods all the time and never eat vegetables. Healthy eating that is good for our physical and mental wellbeing isn't extreme in either direction. You can can focus on having more vegetables. That doesn't mean those are the only foods you should ever eat. You can allow yourself to enjoy treats on a regular basis. That doesn't mean these are the only treats you should ever eat either.


If you're still struggling with your relationship with food, it's time to seek help from a Registered Dietitian. If you feel it's extreme and you may be experiencing disordered eating or an eating disorder, consider seeking help from your health care provider. 

Looking for more personalized nutrition advice? Let's chat! Email mairead@degreefitnessseaforth.com for more info about our Nutrition Programs, or click HERE to book your FREE Bite-Sized Nutrition Chat!

The Importance of Showing Up For Yourself

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Written By: Coach Sienna Showing up for yourself is so important but its often overlooked and dismissed. Showing up for yourself isn't some cheesey, made up statement. There is meaning behind it and science! Showing up for yourself is an empowering practice that can transform the way you live, love and lead! BUT what does showing up for yourself actually mean? And why does it matter so much? S howing up for yourself is... Not Selfish You matter and you are important! Treat yourself as if you were a loved one. It means honoring your own needs, values and well being to achieve overall wellness. This means being consistent in the way you treat yourself, not just when it's convenient to you! It is…. Keeping your word to yourself and keeping those promises Choosing rest to prevent burnout It means giving yourself grace and speaking kindly to yourself (Its your first time living!) Prioritizing growth even if its uncomfortable Creating boundaries and sticking with them Say No when something doesn't align with you or your beliefs I t's about treating you like you are worth caring for not only when you have “deserved it” but because you are worth that care, always! Why does all of this matter? It strengthens your relationship with yourself Prevents you for burning or crashing out Builds self confidence as well as trust in yourself Helps you stay balanced emotionally and physically The more time you spend getting to know yourself you learn and discover hobbies! You learn that YOU CAN DO IT and that YOU CAN DO HARD THINGS! You become more present for others! You are no longer pouring from an empty cup! What does this look like in real life? Drinking enough water even though you would rather skip it Going on a walk or doing meditation to have time for yourself to avoid crash out Keeping promises you said you would Letting go of perfection and simply doing the best that you can with what you've got S tart showing up for yourself today! Let yourself know that you've got you :) --- To inquire about services, programs or to get started email info@degreefitnessseaforth.com or call/text 519-441-7492!

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Written By: Coach Kelly I’ve been exercising since high school... I don’t want to age myself tooooo much ;) but that was quite sometime ago. I meet with people all the time who are looking to get started. They are looking to lose weight, tone up, feel better, happier, increase bone density, do something for them, for various reasons. I’m going to give you two of the most important things that you need to do to make your fitness stick, through al season nd all set backs. Write these down, memorize them, and repeat them over and over. You’ll always succeed. Forget about motivation Seriously, forget it. Motivation comes after you get started. It comes when you start to see results; it comes when your pants fit different; it comes when you’re not out of breath going up stairs; it comes when you are running down the soccer field with your kids; it comes when you are happier; it comes when you feel less anxious, less depressed; it comes after you get started. Remember your why Why are you wanting to get started? Why do you want to spend money and time at a gym? Are you willing to do this for months, if not years? When your schedule gets busy, or your kids get sick, why will you keep coming to classes or appointments? You just need to get started, and you need to clearly understand why you are starting in the first place. After that, you must stick with it. Even when y you’re tired, when you’re frustrated, when you want to give up. Everyone wants the quick fix. We will spend hundreds, if not thousands of dollars on supplements that promise to help us lose weight, feel better, but honestly, nothing will compare to the eating some vegetables and getting in a structured workout with a Coach or at a gym 2 - 3 times per week. I know it’s hard. I know it’s hard. Like, I really, really know it’s hard. But, as you’re reading this, look way down the road, like 1 year, then 3, then 5 years. How do you want to feel? As hard as it is to get started, it will be even harder if you don’t do anything. You deserve to invest in yourself. You deserve to feel good. You have got this and we believe in you - Let’s go! ----- To inquire about services, programs or to get started email info@degreefitnessseaforth.com or call/text 519-441-7492!

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