Taking Small Steps

Building a more positive relationship with the foods you eat can help you to develop healthier eating habits and behaviors. While this may seem like a mountain of a task as you start your journey toward recovery and wellness, even making small changes are steps in the right direction.

The mental health experts at Tapestry are here to outline some simple ways that can help you to make peace with the foods you eat.

Remove the “Bad” Label

Like most areas of our lives, the language that we use to describe the foods we eat matters. This is because words help to shape our attitudes and behaviors that surround them. When we label certain foods as “bad,” it can make you feel guilty for having them, even if they are only once-in-a-while indulgences.

It is important to keep in mind that there is no such thing as a “bad” food. While certain foods may hold less nutritional value than others, it shouldn’t divert your focus from the bigger picture of your eating habits. As long as there is balance in your overall diet, you can allow yourself to indulge in pizza or ice cream every now and then without the side of judgment.

Don’t Over-Restrict Yourself

While paying attention to how much food you eat can be a healthy practice, like most behaviors, over-doing it can be detrimental to your mental and physical health. While maintaining a calorie deficit is often a focal point when it comes to maintaining or losing weight, it isn’t the only aspect of building a healthy diet.

When you focus on the numbers rather than the nutritional value of what you’re putting in your body, it can result in a deficiency in the following vitamins and nutrients:

• Protein
• Calcium
• Vitamin A
• Biotin and thiamine
• Magnesium
• Iron

When it comes to building a healthy diet, try to shift your focus from your caloric intake to building quality meals. This can help to reduce the stress surrounding meeting numeric goals and shift your focus to the overarching goal of health and wellness.

Try Cooking your Own Meals

Cooking is an important skill to learn for everyone. When it comes to recovering from an eating disorder, learning to prepare and cook your own meals can help you to work through certain triggers and leave you better able to look after yourself. Whether you’re comfortable in the kitchen or you’re a beginner, spending more time in the kitchen can prove to be therapeutic for you and your situation.

Eating Disorder Treatment in North Carolina

At Tapestry, our treatment programs are designed to provide our clients with individualized care while acknowledging their unique life experiences. Our staff members are also dedicated to understanding and treating our clients as whole people.

Whether you have questions about eating disorders or how to support a loved one struggling with an eating disorder, we are here for you. Contact us today by filling out a confidential form or give us a call at (828) 490-4032.