For such a basic essential of life as food, we don’t half find it tricky to manage, especially in the Western world where there’s generally choice and ample supply. It’s one of the foundations of life, but you don’t hear people saying ‘I have real issues with water’, or ‘I just find it really difficult to breathe the right amount of air’. Nope, food has a special place for us, and becomes deeply intertwined with our psyche so that what we eat becomes a reflection of how we feel, how we grew up, how we view ourselves.
Part of the problem of course is that food can taste really good. It’s hard not to enjoy a slice of hot buttered toast on a chilly afternoon, whereas we don’t really notice the air we breathe. So then maybe we want more toast, or perhaps something to go with it ... I’ve never been tempted to breathe more air than I need, but I’ve often been tempted to eat more food than I need.
And of course too much food can be unhealthy. So can too little food. Or just the ‘wrong’ food. Our relationship with it is complex and for many people it feels problematic and interferes with enjoying life and staying healthy. If you struggle with food at times, it’s important to understand some of the Rules around it in order to make sure its place in your life is a positive one, that makes you happy and keeps you healthy.