Overcoming Food Guilt: A Journey to Food Peace

Food guilt is that nagging, uncomfortable feeling that can come up when you eat certain foods like donuts or ice cream (i.e. what Diet Culture deems as “bad”) that SO many of my clients struggle with. If you do, too, know that you’re not alone!

But what if it’s NOT really about the food?!

What is food guilt REALLY about?

Think of a food that makes you feel guilty.

Now can you picture someone in your life—a friend or maybe your partner—who can eat those same foods you feel guilty about without batting an eye? This is proof that food guilt is not about the food itself!

It’s about your beliefs and perceptions about the food. In essence, food guilt stems from an internalized set of rules—your inner food judge—that dictates what is "good" or "bad."

Where do your beliefs about food come from?

Most of your food-related beliefs come from two main influences: Diet Culture (which includes media, the diet industry, etc.) and family! Think about all the diets you've been on in your lifetime and also all the comments/ways food was talked about in your family growing up—like associating leaving food on your plate with being ungrateful or that sugar is “bad” and only for “special occasions”—create deep-rooted beliefs. These ingrained perceptions can be hard to shift, especially when you’re older now and and have lived with them for so long! (But it does NOT mean it can’t change!) It absolutely can and it’s NEVEr too late to heal your relationship with food!

Challenging and changing food guilt

Understanding the origins of food guilt is only the beginning. (but such an important one!)

The crucial next step is to challenge these beliefs and replace them with ones that serve you better.

Next time you feel guilty about breaking a food rule, ask yourself, "Where did I learn that this is bad?"

For instance, one client recalled learning to feel guilty about cookies because one Christmas her mom said Santa was on a diet this year and needed to have carrots instead of milk and chocolate chip cookies! Recognizing such stories (with so much COMPASSION) helps us recognize that what you know believe about food is not the “absolute truth,” but that they were LEARNED.

Which means they can be UNLEARNED, too.

This week’s YouTube video goes over the 3-step process on how you can start UNLEARNING your beliefs around food that no longer serves you, so you can finally release them and continue on in your journey of making peace with food!

If you need additional support to end food guilt:

➡️ “Good-bye Food Guilt & Food Rules” is a powerful self-paced workshop where I walk you through identifying your specific food rules and beliefs (through guided activities & workbook!) and you’ll EXPERIENCE the process of shifting them!

➡️ If you’ve been trying to “self-help” your way through your food+body peace journey, but desire to have support through both the practical AND emotional parts of your healing journey, “YOU, EMBODIED” 1-1 coaching program could be for you where I become your guide, teacher, and partner to walk alongside you to reach your most healthful and happy relationship with food, body and yourself. 💖