An Unpopular Opinion About Emotional Eating
Content.
UNPOPULAR OPINION: Emotional eating isn’t bad.
Our relationship with food is layered and multi-faceted. So to label emotional eating as “bad” feels pretty one-dimensional - and is exactly the kind of black-and-white thinking I’m always encouraging clients to challenge.
Eating for emotional reasons isn’t inherently a problem. IMO, it becomes more important to look at how often we rely on it, whether it’s our only coping strategy, and how we feel about it afterwards.
The other day I had a long day and Jordan and I went to get Mapo gelato (Fior di Latte - IYKYK). And honestly? It made me feel better.
I can be a simple girl.
But gelato isn’t the only thing I turn to when I’ve had a crappy day. I also have things like meditation, journalling, going for a walk, talking to someone, etc.
And this isn’t a copy-and-paste list of “better” coping strategies. We’re all wired differently, and what works for one person might do absolutely nothing for another.
Instead, I’m inviting you to get curious about how you respond to your emotions - without automatically labelling food as good or bad.
Sometimes, eating something because it brings you comfort is just… eating.
And that can exist within a healthy relationship with food.
Recipe Recommendation. Fennel Slaw.
My sister, Stef, made this recently for Father’s Day lunch. YUM. It’s so delicious, makes such a nice, fresh side and pairs perfectly with a schnitty or some fish. Must try! Her tweak is to use dill instead of mint - which is kind of a big dill 😂
Product Recommendation. Sauce Whisk.
This is absolutely not an essential. You could go about your life perfectly fine without it. However, it has made my cooking life easier and when I saw Ottolenghi using one, I knew I needed it haha.
It is the perfect mini whisk for when you are making sauces, dressings and marinades. It saves you from having to whip out the big whisk, and it does a particularly good job of bringing together those oil + honey/mustard/acid situations that can otherwise be a little annoying to mix. I used it for the dressing in this recipe and it worked a treat!
What Would Kayla Cook Greek Chicken Bowls are SO good!
Quote.
We don’t see things as they are, we see things as we are.
- Anaïs Nin
Got a question or topic you want covered next? Leave a comment or reply to this email. I’d love to hear from you 💌
Till next time,
Jess, Your Balanced Dietitian xx
