Beyond the Plate: Unpacking the Power of Your Food Relationship (And Why It Matters More Than You Think)

Have you ever felt like your life revolves around food? Like it's a constant battle, a mental tug-of-war?

You're not alone.

For years, my world was defined by restriction, the pursuit of 'less.’

But then, something shifted. I stumbled upon intuitive eating and the weight-inclusive approach, and it changed so much. And truly, it wasn't just about food anymore; it was about reclaiming my life.

How much of your precious time and energy is lost to food-related stress? The societal pressure to fit into impossible beauty, body, and nutrition standards is real, and amplified for women and those with marginalized identities.

Taking it a step further, what if all this food-related anxiety isn't just a personal issue, but plays nicely into a system designed to keep us small, preoccupied, and obedient? Especially women and those with marginalized identities, who face the harshest consequences for deviating from ideals related to food or bodies. It threatens to keep our focus small and voices muted when the world needs them the most.

Right now, for instance, our country is experiencing a significant lack of diversity in the leadership perspectives represented at the actual table.

We are vulnerable to, and suffering from, a significant increase in the worst parts of hypermasculinity, like aggression, violence, dominance, & control (among others).

For me, intuitive eating and the anti-diet movement weren't just about healing my relationship with food; they were about liberation.

It was about shifting my focus from 'how little can I eat' to 'how can I meet my nutrition needs consistently and adequately, to be able to show up as fully as possible for the things that are important to, and asked of, me?’

Do I have it all figured out? Absolutely not. But I feel far more capable, more grounded.

What would your life look like if you weren't constantly battling with food? What if that mental space was freed up for your dreams, your passions, your activism?

It's time to reclaim our plates, and our power.

Image Credit: Sierra Koder, Unsplash