How to stop feeling guilty about eating certain foods, so you can start enjoying meals again

Brenda Braslow, MS, RDN, LDN, CDCES - Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES)

If you dread eating out or having a special meal with others, maybe you'll find pleasure at mealtime again when you learn how to stop feeling guilty about eating. From food conflict to labeling foods good or bad, read on to explore the concept of enjoying food while nurturing your health.

How to stop feeling guilty about eating

It's not uncommon for people to feel guilty, conflicting thoughts about enjoying food. Confusing health messages, a bombardment of advertisements for "healthy" processed foods, and overexposure to the latest food crazes or diets contribute to the conundrum. If the thought of a meal or eating simple potatoes makes you anxious, then pause and ponder it.

Ask yourself some of these questions:

Do you label foods as good or bad?
Do you feel guilty when you eat certain foods you used to enjoy?
- Examples might be beef, cheese, eggs, potatoes, carrots, melon, bread, rice, or pasta.
Do you get anxious when you read a food label of something you used to enjoy because you are fearful of the calories, carbs, or saturated fat?
Do you jump on the latest diet craze or food trend bandwagon?
Do you have an all-or-nothing view of foods?

If you answered "NO" to these questions, then congratulations to you! You have somehow managed to escape the message "melee." If you answered "YES" to some of the questions, then step back and think. Work on enjoying foods in a balanced way, savor every bite, and get rid of all-or-nothing thoughts regarding nutrition. Yes, all foods can fit into a healthy diet. Figure out what makes you both happy and healthy. Allow yourself to enjoy food and use a calorie and exercise tracker, like MyNetDiary, as a tool, not a weapon. Soon, you'll feel food guilt no more.