Power Struggles and Food
Where does our negative relationship with food come from?
How does it start?
How do we go from being in tune with our body & hearing our body’s clear messages, to the other end of the spectrum where we need to be told what we should eat?!
We went from intuitive eating to portion control, from healthy balance to special diets, from hunger pains to fasting. Just obsessing over what to eat & when!
Here is one theory—
Picture a child and parent navigating a meal. Can you see the frustration and chaos with both parent & child fighting for control?
Often, when a child doesn’t feel like they have enough control in their lives, they will start trying to control things like what food they eat or when they go to the bathroom. It’s almost impossible to force someone to eat or poop (with 2 young boys I would know, I’ve tried)!
Although this is a nightmare for parents, it makes complete sense. It is human nature to want to have control in our lives. When we feel that we are losing control, the natural reaction is to grasp for things to control. As adults, clutching onto control can result in a challenged relationship with food. One where we stop listening to what our body needs day to day; kind of like the child stops listening to the parents who are trying to guide them.
We might even throw a little tantrum saying that gluten is the devil and we will never eat that horrible food again; much like the toddler who swears broccoli comes from aliens and refuses to even look at it. All this to try to gain control when we feel our most powerless.
Does this experience sound familiar?
Do you feel powerless in your life and are grasping for some control by structuring, measuring, counting or obsessing about food?
This may stir up some emotion for you, that’s okay. Sit with it.
If it gets too uncomfortable to sit with on your own, reach out. I’m here to support you through this journey.
You got this.
Reignite your power.
Food does not have to control you.
Slow down and listen to your body.
You will be amazed at how clear the messages can be once you start to listen.