Social media has made "clean" eating a hot topic of discussion in recent years. Suddenly, food became classified as either "good" or "bad". This is a very dangerous perception to have as it can lead to disordered eating habits, which impact overall well-being.
Society needs to stop demonizing food and linking it to moral virtue. Eating a dessert does not make anyone a bad person. Similarly, eating salad leaves doesn’t make anyone a good person. Our actions toward others define our character, not the food consumed.
When I first started my recovery journey, I saw a girl post on Instagram about how she felt bad for eating a croissant because she considered it ‘junk’ food. I was surprised by this post because, in my view, croissants were not ‘junk’ food. This made me realize that there is no such thing as ‘junk’ food. There is no accepted definition and no set list of foods. It is our perception that makes us classify certain foods into this category and makes us feel guilty for eating them. We need to get rid of this good/bad lens, as it mostly does more harm than good.
When considering our overall health, we need to take a holistic approach. Our well-being does not just consist of a perfect physical condition but also of mental peace. As humans, we need to meet our social and emotional needs alongside our physical ones. This includes taking pleasure in eating and enjoying moments around food without feeling guilty afterward.
"Healthy foods are no longer ‘healthy’ if choosing them causes stress, guilt, and anxiety."
All food is fuel. Each product has different nutrients that respond to different nutritional needs. Calories are imperative to our daily lives; they provide us with energy and fuel that gives us strength to carry out all our activities.
Yes, there could be detrimental health effects from eating certain types of food, but they appear only when the product is consumed in large quantities. Even consuming ‘healthy’ foods in abundance can be detrimental to the body (for example, consuming too much fiber can lead to digestive problems). Everything can be eaten, but in moderation. No food should be cut out of the diet. Completely banning something will most likely make you want to eat it more. This can lead to a binge-restrict cycle that’s unhealthy both for the physical body and the mental well-being.
How do we define what is healthy for a person and what is not? We all have different goals and preferences. For a person who is recovering from an eating disorder, it might be the right choice to eat a slice of cake instead of a fruit bowl because they are trying to get out of their comfort zone and restore their relationship with food. Fresh fruits and vegetables such as cabbage, pears, and cauliflower should be avoided by people suffering from diarrhea because they produce excess gas, which aggravates the condition. There is not a single diet that suits everyone. It should be adjusted to the individual’s needs, preferences, and circumstances.
Honestly, food should not be a moral issue. While certain foods might not necessarily be needed to sustain good physical health, they might be needed to nurture the soul and play a part in the social aspects of eating. Thankfully, there is a large variety of products available—all for different functions.
As a society, we need to stop putting labels on food. The oversimplified "good/bad" approach to looking at food prevents people from reaching complete "well-being".
Comments