I’ve experienced both sides of the spectrum, from food stamps to five-star dining.
While I acknowledge that there’s a big difference between the two, I can tell you that in both cases I felt rich even when I had nothing of my own and had to rely on my family, our church, or the government to provide. If I could buy food, then life was worth living.
Food insecurities, whether financial or emotional, prevent us from honoring our hunger (and satiety) cues. Food freedom includes the accessibility and ability to afford the food you want and the permission to eat it.
Years ago, when I sat down with the Relief Society president and planned out our family’s meals before visiting the Bishop’s storehouse, I needed not only financial freedom but food freedom as well. There were times when my orthorexia prevented me from buying cheaper food, which meant I went hungrier than I needed to. Nowadays, we can buy more food if we need to but I also allow myself to eat all the foods.
Don’t let your disordered habits prevent you from creating more order around your food choices, especially when it comes to eating. You don’t need to count calories or macros in order to justify eating. You don’t need to plan the perfect breakfast, lunch, and dinner in order to justify eating. You don’t need to rely on superfood snacks in order to justify eating. Plan on eating something, anything.
Because honoring your health means honoring your hunger, and you can’t do that if you can’t eat.
