Positive & balanced relationship with food, here are some things to know

Positive & balanced relationship with food, here are some things to know. Having a healthy relationship with food is crucial for overall well-being and optimal physical and mental health. But cultivating a positive and balanced relationship with food goes beyond just counting calories or avoiding certain foods. It also involves understanding the nourishing qualities of the various food, listening to your body’s needs, and finding joy and satisfaction in the act of eating. Underlining the same, Bhakti Kapoor, a nutritionist, took to Instagram to share that our relationship with food may seem foreign, but it wields immense power over our lives.

“Just as we invite joy-bringing friends into our homes, the food we consume should be beneficial to our bodies. The link between what we eat and how we feel is undeniable,” she said, adding that while unhealthy indulgences leave us fatigued and unproductive, mindful choices uplift our spirits. “When we treat our bodies with care, they respond in kind.”

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However, our relationship with food may turn sour when we rely on it to cope with stress, the expert said. “Using food as a means of control strains our connection with it, leading to unhealthy habits and consequences. Take, for example, the association between cinema and unhealthy snacks. By breaking free from these patterns and bringing nutritious treats, we can transform the experience into one that nurtures both our bodies and wallets,” Kapoor.

Many people see their favourite foods as a reward for eating healthy for a period of time. However, it’s crucial to break this cycle of reward and punishment to cultivate a healthy relationship with food. “It involves consciously choosing nutritious options and celebrating the abundance of food we can enjoy. Our relationship with food extends beyond sustenance—it affects our mood, and well-being, and can prevent health conditions,” the nutritionist said, adding that rejecting quick-fix diets and embracing a positive food relationship is key.

How else can one foster this relationship with food? It’s crucial to let go of comparisons, make healthy swaps, and practise mindful eating. “The choices we make and the care we invest reverberate throughout our bodies, minds, and emotions,” she said, adding that nurturing this connection benefits us and positively influences those around us.

“It’s an investment worth making—one that enhances our vibrancy and zest for life. So let’s build a nourishing bond with food and watch our lives flourish as a result,” she concluded.

Agreeing, Mayur Chutani, actor, nutritionist, and online fitness coach, said that eating healthy helps you in many ways. “People with healthy eating patterns live longer and are at a lower risk for serious health problems such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity, among others. It not only improves your physical health but also makes you feel stronger, more active, and lighter,” he said, explaining that prioritising consuming what our body needs rather than indulging in what we simply want to eat can make life so much easier and healthier.

He added that our meals should be properly designed with a proper amount of protein source, carbohydrate source, healthy fats, and fibre.