Beauties, do you ever find yourself dreaming about a chocolate bar and then hating yourself when you eat one? Or do you spend all day starving yourself when you know you're going out for a big dinner? We can all have these thoughts (which are completely normal!), but if they’re starting to consume you, it may be time to rethink your relationship with food. We spoke with Los Angeles-based nutrition therapist Lynn Penrose, R.D. about unhealthy relationships with food and what you can do about them. After spending over 20 years studying nutrition and researching addictions, Lynn decided to create Funky About Food, a website that helps to identify your issues with food before seeking treatment.
Everyone's relationship with food is completely different and personal, but when all you can think about is what you are or aren’t eating, you should be concerned. “Being funky about food is all about your mindset and thinking toward eating, dieting, and food in general,” says Lynn. “What most people, and women in particular, don't realize is that it's okay to eat the things that you enjoy. You can have a chocolate bar when you want one, or a bag of potato chips. It's denying yourself a particular food because you don't think you're allowed to have it that gives you a bad relationship with it, because then you gorge yourself."
As women, we pay a lot of attention to the world around us, and most negative thinking stems from the media. Whether we like it or not, we are influenced by magazines, television, and even celebrities, and led to believe that indulging from time to time and eating the occasional chocolate bar is so bad for you that it must be done in secret. Many of us are also programmed from birth to succeed at everything, and not to fail, which makes our expectations of ourselves impossibly high. “Having a good relationship with food is all about allowing yourself to eat what you want, when you want it. This way you'll eat it in moderation and not have the mentality of ‘Well, I've already failed by opening the packet, I may as well eat the whole thing.’ This notion of failure, restriction, and constantly thinking about what you're eating next is what causes a bad relationship with your food," says Lynn.
So, Beauties, if you think you're spending too much time worrying about what's going into your mouth, then you need to ask yourself some questions: Do you plan out your meals every day? Do you overeat when you're hungry, sad or depressed? Do you punish yourself by not allowing yourself to have something yummy? All these things point to a bad relationship.
Lynn's practice involves a lot of discussion about a person’s diet, food memories, and eating habits. She doesn't deny her patients anything, and doesn't use the word diet. It's simply changing the way that you think about food and reprogramming your brain to see food in a new way. "You can be smart and think about what you're eating, but when that thinking starts to consume you, you need to take a step back," says Lynn.
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Jan 31, 2013
Em P.
I defiantly can relate to this. However WATCHING what you eat is quite different than starving yourself. I'll have a Greek salad and fruit for lunch because I feel better on it than pizza or a meat sandwhich. However, my friends believe I'm starving myself...teens should really be shown how to eat a well balanced diet. Great article!
Oct 29, 2011
Lynn P.
Hi Beauties! I have read all of your comments and relate to every one of them! Funky About Food Nutrition Therapy is all about peace of mind around your food choices! Connect with me at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lynn-...
Oct 29, 2011
Lynn P.
Hi Beauties! I have read all of your comments and relate to each and every one of them! Let's continue this intriguing conversation at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lynn-... I am here!
Oct 03, 2011
Maya W.
Good food makes me believe in God and the way I see it we all know our boundaries and limits with most things so why not food? I eat what I want and have no interest in being obese or developing diabetes so I make sure that I keep a good balance. Your body tells you what you need through things such as cravings and fat is actually good for you in small doses so that you can properly digest. I don't feel guilt for a single delicious morsel because I know my limits and I have access to a gym :P
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Oct 29, 2011
Lynn P.
Oct 02, 2011
Aspen F.
I eat soooo much food. It's terrible. I eat bread so much (carbs galore!) but somehow I don't gain weight off of it...but what gets me is candy. I've been trying to stay away from that, and lately, it's been working! I've actually lost a few pounds (not that I needed too, I'm confident about my body) but, I'm not saying you should just go eat bread...I'm still young so my metabolism is good.
Oct 29, 2011
Lynn P.
Oct 01, 2011
Andrea F.
Us girls should not worry about our weight as much as we're taught to do. How many girls do you know that are really concerned about eating? 90 or more percent, no?? How many BOYS do you know? None or very few?? Hmmm. Why should we worry so much? HEALTH is another thing. Health is very important. Having the munchies... eating brownies... sweets.. having lazy days.... not a big deal. Please, girls! Don't feel so hateful towards yourself for EATING. We get hungry- it happens!!!
Oct 02, 2011
Amber L.
Oct 29, 2011
Lynn P.
Oct 01, 2011
Maggz M.
If I feel like the munchies, I drink water, if that doesn't help after 10-20 mins, I'm usually actually hungry, and make a small meal. It usually works, esspecially at night. As for the rest of the day, it's hard.
Oct 29, 2011
Lynn P.
Oct 29, 2011
Maggz M.
Oct 01, 2011
April F.
i've never understood how one could be so paranoid about everything they put in their mouth to eat. it doesn't seem like a very happy way to live
Oct 29, 2011
Lynn P.
Oct 01, 2011
Alexis C.
I hate hate hate when I hear others complain about their weight or what they just ate. If eat something not so healthy in abundance I'll think "blah I really should cut back on how much I ate", but I hear others beat themselves up over it to the point where they won't eat for the rest of the day because of that candy bar they had earlier.
I had a friend that every time food was near she would make negative and self deprecating comments. When we had club meetings during lunch at school she wouldn't get food she would go around the table and take a piece of chicken here a spoonful of veggies there. Once at a potluck we had she was talking about seeing a model and how she was wearing a cropped top and how the model was fat and it was gross. She seemed so disgusted. Then she binged on the food there. It got to the point where I felt uncomfortable being with her. I am much heavier and thicker than she is. When she said she was fat or a model was fat I can't fathom what she thought of me. I never said anything. She once said that she felt so good when she didn't eat that once she ate she felt like she wasn't thinking clear and wasn't spiritually right. We never said anything because she was known to be quirky and say strange things. Looking back I wish I would have told her how unhealthy her relationship with food was let alone herself, and I wish I could realized this and helped her with whatever she needed.
Oct 29, 2011
Lynn P.
Sep 30, 2011
Bella P.
Great article.... I have that. All day long I worry about my weight and what I´m eating and not eating and what people are eating and what they should eat. And if I see a model or a blogger with great body the second thing that comes to mind is what does she eat to be like that.
Food takes up a lot of my mind space LOL
PS. by the way that chocolate creamy cake in the picture looks yummy... I want one :(
Oct 29, 2011
Lynn P.