Contents
We live in a world where diets have become a cult. And this cult has given us false beliefs that we can subdue, deceive or ignore our hunger, which means we should not trust our body. What other myths have arisen on this basis? And how do they threaten our health?
The cult of harmony and the worship of diets gave rise to myths about hunger. For example, we are sure that we can train ourselves not to feel it at all. But we forget that hunger is a signal that our body gives when we need energy (and not only it).
In addition, the diet cult is a product of modern Western culture. She focuses on body weight, shape and size. This cult encourages thinness, and makes fat people feel shame.
“Clients who come to me with eating disorders are often terribly afraid to trust their hunger. They think they have to follow strict rules: when, what, how, how much, and where to eat. Unfortunately, these rules usually provoke the development of eating disorders, ”says psychotherapist Paola Friedman.
Modern culture gives us confidence that hunger can be controlled through discipline and willpower. But if we do not notice it, this does not mean that the cause that caused it has disappeared.
It is necessary to listen to such “messages”. Ignoring them, we not only do not enjoy life, but also risk losing our health. To live fully, to play sports, to work, to read, to communicate with friends, you need to eat, and not deprive yourself of food. To get back to a healthy relationship with hunger, let’s debunk 4 myths about this feeling and about the “right” attitude to food.
1. We must strictly control our diet.
Our need for energy does not always fit into the formula “how many calories consumed, how many burned.” Every day we need a different number of calories. And we burn them not only when we play sports. Our brains need nourishment to help us focus and solve problems. The heart needs calories to beat and pump blood.
Sometimes we want to eat, although it seems like we shouldn’t. But if we try to drive the need for food into the framework of a strict diet, we will inevitably fail. After all, the desire to follow a clear pattern makes us ignore the natural signals of the body: sometimes we are in dire need of sugar, and carbohydrates, and fats. And this does not always indicate a tendency to seize stress or indulge one’s weaknesses.
The need for food is a basic human need, just like the need to sleep or use the toilet. And it should not be strictly limited.
2. We can outsmart hunger
The cult of diets teaches us to control hunger instead of responding to it, to treat it with attention and compassion. There are tricks specifically designed to trick our body. For example, drink more water or chew gum. All this makes it difficult to give a reasonable response to body signals. It’s like ignoring other natural needs. See how absurd it looks if food is replaced with another need of the body:⠀
- You only think that you need to sleep, in fact you need to drink more coffee.
- You only think that you want to go to the toilet, in fact, you just need to drink less water.
- You only think that you need to take a shower, in fact, you should use deodorant again. ⠀
To deny or deceive hunger is as senseless as to deny oneself sleep or other natural needs. Fortunately, our needs are not so easy to ignore. That’s why if you’ve ever been on a diet or reduced your calorie intake, you’ve all ended up relapsing. If you really want to eat, the best way to get rid of hunger is to respond to its “call”.
3. You can’t love food
Unfortunately, modern culture denies the pleasure of food and orders to be content with an apple when you want chocolate. Those who follow this principle will sooner or later find themselves eating only “permitted” foods. Whereas those who practice intuitive eating eat more diversely.
When we deny cravings for some product, we may be quenching physical hunger, but we are not satisfying psychological hunger. But food should also give pleasure, and not just saturate. Denying pleasure, we end up overeating, but never getting satisfaction. People who are able to enjoy food end up developing a more harmonious relationship with it.
4. Food is needed only as fuel
If we were robots, food would only serve as fuel for us. But we are not machines, our brains and emotions are complex. We don’t just eat when we’re hungry. Sometimes we can have lunch when we managed to take a break from work. We can buy a blueberry muffin just because we liked the smell when we passed the bakery.
“Sometimes we want not only what is useful, but also what is tasty, even if it is harmful. By demonizing “emotional overeating,” we forget that from early infancy, we ate to calm down and feel safe, ”recalls Paola Friedman.
Food for us becomes a source of shame and stress. But in fact, only the ability to eat what you want and when you want can save us from compulsive overeating. After all, forbidden fruit is sweet.
Our bodies are smarter than we think. They will tell you how and what to do in order to maintain health and vigor for many years. And if we can “switch off” the social noise that tells us to deny ourselves everything, you will be able to hear these prompts more clearly and follow them.