Food, Glorious, Confusing Food

I received so many mixed messages about food over the years that I eventually didn’t even know what to eat. For example: We learned in health class that fruits and vegetables are foundational for good health but the cafeteria rarely served them in an appealing way.

I grew up in a traditional Christian family and if something was wrong, we avoided it. Unless it was a vilified food like cake or donuts, then we highly desired it and mockingly scolded ourselves as we ate it. It was confusing, at best and led me to many guilt filled days.

A few years ago, I began to see accounts on Instagram where people were expressing a beautiful freedom in their relationship with food. I heard the phrases anti-diet, health at every size, and intuitive eating. I was intrigued.

I began to follow these accounts and learn of this revolutionary, to me, way of relating to food with amazing freedom. I listened to the book “Intuitive Eating” on Audible and the podcast “Intuitive Eating For Christian Women.” It prompted me to search the scriptures for God’s purpose and intention for food in our lives. What I saw was in stark contrast with how I understood and related to food. There were no rules and food is a gift from God!

The clincher was when I listened to Jess Connolloy read her book “Breaking Free From Body Shame” on Audible. Her compassion, wisdom, grace and determination flowed through the speakers straight to my heart. I was convicted and encouraged simultaneously. It sparked a fire of righteous indignation in me that would lead me on the wildest adventure. I’ve broken strongholds, rewired my brain, and challenged long held understandings all with the Holy Spirit’s guidance.

I invite you to do the same. Consider your current relationship with food. Is it disordered? Are you happy with how you feed and care for your body? Is there room for improvement?

Join with me as I do my part to deconstruct the deeply entrenched precepts of diet culture in America. There is a better way and we do not need to live under its bondage any longer!