How to eat like a normal person? I often get the “normal” answer: Don’t really bother about what you are eating. Eating is simply a form of recreation, and I often see people who are more disciplined in this aspect of their lives than others. It is worth paying attention to how food is handled in order to improve our habits.
One of the first places we look for answers on how to eat normal is at our favorite television channel. There are shows about what to eat, when to eat it and how to overcome problems with disordered eating. Most of these programs promote healthy eating, yet they rarely address the underlying reasons behind why some people tend to be diet conscience. In one program an audience member was horrified by the idea of a woman giving up hamburgers for vegetables. How does she do it?
Another common question on how to eat normal is around food allergies. A common theme in many shows and programs is the need to eat healthier, yet there is little discussion of what to replace favorite foods with. Instead, the focus is on avoiding foods that may cause problems in one’s diet. Food that contains milk, eggs and soy should be avoided, yet we frequently find people who will eat these at any cost. It takes some effort to learn how to eat like a normal person.
Food and Diet can be confusing for those of us who have experienced the normal limits of calories and fat. The common sense rule that tells us when and what to eat becomes stretched a bit. We often feel guilty about overeating or starving ourselves, but it is usually because we are confused about what is happening inside our bodies. Food and Diet can become a real test of your common sense.
Many people feel confused about emotional triggers that cause them to overeat. Emotional triggers are extremely hard to understand and even most doctors have no idea what causes a person to overindulge. Stress is a common cause of overeating and can be handled in many ways; for instance, taking a walk around the block can help many people feel more in control and less guilty about their behavior. Sometimes the solution lies outside of traditional medicine, as many people choose to make healthier choices around food. Becoming a vegetarian can give you a new understanding of food and nutrition, making you less susceptible to emotional triggers around food.
Eating Disorders is another area that can really get you confused. People who have a Eating Disorder do not have a healthy appreciation for food. They are constantly hungry, searching for that next bite and refuse to eat anything that doesn’t meet that criteria. Food is such a central part of their lives that they cannot even think clearly enough to know what they really want or need in the morning. An Eating Disorder can be cured in a number of ways, including therapy, but there is a lot of advice floating around online that could potentially harm you instead of help.
Following a few simple steps can help you navigate this difficult journey through life. First of all, if you have an Eating Disorder, it is best to follow doctors orders, which means no alcohol or other substances, no smoking, and no strict guidelines on when you eat. You should also make a point of learning to eat new foods every day, such as vegetables, whole grains, fruits, and protein. Being able to eat new foods will give you the flexibility around food that you so desperately need. There is no real reason that someone should suffer from an Eating Disorder if they don’t have to, so do not allow yourself to become rigid and follow someone else’s rules around food.
Another important part of gaining control over your Eating Disorders is to learn to listen to your body. People sometimes struggle to hear how their bodies are saying all kinds of things and they end up punishing themselves for things they shouldn’t be, which is why it is important to learn to listen to your body when it tells you that it is experiencing pain or discomfort. If you are in pain or uncomfortable around food, take a moment to listen to how you are feeling. Then, decide if you need to eat a particular food, or if you can simply wait a little bit. Often times people who are suffering from Eating Disorders are too focused on what they are doing rather than listening to their bodies, so it is important to try to avoid this situation all together.
