There comes a point when eating clean can go wrong. Unfortunately I think it’s incredibly common. While its great to want to eat as healthy as you possibly can, if your obsession creates undue stress in other areas of your life then it’s really not promoting health. Stress = heart disease and cancer. And angry people. I want you to be healthy physically AND mentally. So, I have put together a handy dandy list for you to tell when your healthy eating has gone rancid like vegetable oil.
1. You count every calorie you eat and refuse to eat something if it puts you even 10 calories over your daily “limit.”
2. You stop eating fruit because there is too much sugar in it.
3. The last time you went to a restaurant you questioned the server about the square footage the chicken was allowed to graze on.
4. Just kidding, you don’t go to restaurants because nothing is safe.
5. A domestic dispute broke out at your last family party because your aunt asked you to eat raspberry cheesecake made with high fructose corn syrup.
6. You refused to eat dessert on your birthday.
7. Alcohol is no longer enjoyable (WHAT?!).
8. You get heart palpitations when you think about eating something that isn’t “healthy.”
9. You lost 10 lbs in two weeks because you cut out so many food groups.
10. Half of your worries throughout the day revolve around food.
11. You threw sushi at the wall because it had white rice instead of brown.
12. You have created black and white lists of “good” and “bad” foods.
13. The only food you eat is chicken, rice, and vegetables.
14. Hangry is no longer an acute state, it’s a way of life.
15. You no longer need to make a grocery list because you eat the same thing every week.
16. You eat alone in a bathroom stall Mean Girls style.
17. Grocery store trips include sanctimonious judgement of other shoppers carts.
18. You’ve considered telling people you are a vegan just so they don’t question your restrictions.
19. You are a vegan.
20. Food is stressful instead of enjoyable.
The last one is the point I am really trying to get at. Eating should be a time to sit down with your family and friends and enjoy something that tastes great and is nourishing your body. It shouldn’t be anxiety provoking. Certainly those with food allergies or medical problems which warrant dietary restrictions should be more vigilant about what they are eating but eating should never have to feel like a chore. When it does, call me. Not ghostbusters. Pearl to the rescue.
Have you ever felt like you were developing food anxiety? What do you do to calm these fears? How do you de-stress?