I would never force you to eat sugar. But I might invite you to play with it if sugar is one of your fear foods.
I would also never make you gain weight. But I won’t help you lose weight, and I would invite you to lean into the discomfort of what gaining weight means.
There are no good foods, bad foods. There is no good body, bad body. Be wary of false dichotomies and aim for neutrality.
Sugar is no worse, or better, than broccoli. Sugar is just sugar. Broccoli is just broccoli. And both are foods. Both are valid.
Being fat is no worse, or better, than being thin. Fat is just fat. Thin is just thin. And both are body sizes. Both are worthy.
Moralistic judgment does not serve you, it traps you. It’s a reflection of fears, doubts, and beliefs that are holding you back from being fully self-expressed.
Journal prompts: How much time, energy, and money do you spend on being healthy/thin? What does it mean to eat sugar and/or gain weight? Who said? Is it true? Are you 100% sure it’s true? Neutralize it. If you could eat anything and be any size free from judgment, what would be possible?
Author: Beth Summers
All bodies are good bodies
“We are all privileged because we are children of God. Stop encouraging division.”
I too have a testimony of God’s love for Their children. We are all equal in our Heavenly Parents’ eyes! And it’s unfortunate that some don’t treat others as equals, because division does exist. It’s a painful reality for many. Our brothers and sisters are hurting. We need to listen to and validate their pain, to mourn with those that mourn. I know that’s what God would have us do, so we can become more like Them and love as They do.
Stop negating the lived experience of others and start listening. Check your privileges.
I have always lived in a socially acceptable body. I was born with several privileges. And the more I learn about the systemic oppression of those who are different than me, the more I understand how little I understand.
Intuitive eating is an inside job. Dismantling diet culture AND white supremacy is an inside job. The very first principle of intuitive eating is to reject diet culture, and you can’t reject diet culture without also rejecting racism.
For years now I’ve worked on the former, but little on the latter. That’s on me. My complacency made me complicit. But I want to know more, so I can do more, because people deserve more.
When I say all bodies are good bodies, I mean ALL bodies are good bodies — and until every body is treated fairly, I am committed to centering, uplifting, and supporting the bodies of those who are negated. I’m sorry my actions haven’t always reflected my values, and I am willing to lean into the discomfort of being wrong in order to do what’s right.
What is mindful eating?
As ideal as it might be to eat mindfully, it’s more important that you just eat.
Read that again.
Mindful eating is NOT another way to control, limit, or restrict your food choices and eating habits. It’s an awareness practice that helps you connect to your mind, body, and spirit. It transforms scared eaters into sacred eaters.
After years of body distrust and/or food morality, mindful eating can be used to bridge the gap from diet culture to Intuitive Eating and Health at Every Size. It encourages you to enjoy food again and appreciate your body’s brilliance. It examines your food rules and body dissatisfaction with curiosity. It integrates your senses with your thoughts for an embodied experience.
I take it a step further and use experiential eating to help intuitive eaters become more mindful of their relationship with food — not to lose weight but to communicate with their whole Self.
Want to learn more? Read my book, download my FREE guided meditation, or join Body Peace Academy — because it’s time to honor your True Food story.
