Did you ever wish you could be one of those people for whom food is “just fuel”?
I have occasionally worked with clients for whom food was strictly fuel, nothing more; these folks were athletes who were interested in using all of their energy for their sport, which required a lot of time and effort, and didn’t want to spend time gathering and preparing food. Based on what they were willing to eat to get that fuel (prior to working with me!) it seemed the taste of the food was not important.
I used to wish this could be my relationship with food. To not care what food tasted like, but only that I had enough nourishment to fuel my activities. But so many pieces inform our relationship with food and I grew up in a family with gourmet cooks, and people who paid attention to how food was presented. I have a wide and discerning taste palate and care about the way food looks and tastes. Food as fuel only just isn’t part of my world.
And yet. In healing my relationship with food I have learned that food as fuel and food as a delicious celebration can coexist. Years ago as a full time working mom I would tell my children “not every meal is going to be a gourmet meal”, meaning that some dinners were just food to eat so no one was hungry. Not a recipe, not something from Bon Appetit, just basic food.
On a recent trip I brought instant oatmeal that I ate from a paper cup with nothing but the hot water added. It was food, I was hungry, and it filled me up. I was in a beautiful location and food was not the most important thing. On the same trip I also ate some meals in restaurants and appreciated the presentation and deliciousness.
We can have both a respect for our food as the fuel that nourishes our body and allows us to get done what we want to do, AND as a beautiful celebration of earthly abundance presented with artistry. When we are fully mindful, in our body and listening, we can be quite content with oatmeal in a cup. We can be satisfied by food that isn’t a gourmet meal.
What are your expectations from your meals?
Do you expect every meal to be equally delicious?
Are you able to connect with what your body really wants for nourishment?
If you are a chronic dieter, are there foods you’re eating that you don’t even like but think you should eat for a dieting reason?
Want to learn more about how to listen to your body when it comes to food?
I look forward to connecting with you for a private Discovery Call.
Use this link to schedule yours now. https://melissapickell.com/
