How to stop labelling foods as “good” and “bad”

By Denise Wogan

We've been conditioned to categorise foods as either 'good' or 'bad'.?

From childhood, we're taught to view certain foods with suspicion, labelling them as indulgent treats or guilty pleasures.?

But what if this labelling is not only harmful but fundamentally flawed?

What if we challenge the very notion of food morality and empower people to make choices based on their body's cues?

Intuitive eating is not a diet; it's a philosophy that encourages us to tune into our bodies' hunger and fullness signals, as well as our emotional responses to food.

It rejects the idea of strict rules and instead promotes a flexible and compassionate approach to eating. At its core lies the belief that all foods can fit into a balanced diet – yes, even those traditionally labelled as 'bad'.

The Harm of Food Labelling

So why do we feel the need to classify foods in such stark terms??

Much of it can be attributed to diet culture, which thrives on the notion of restriction and moralising certain foods. We're bombarded with messages that equate thinness with health and demonise anything deemed high in calories or fat.?

But the truth is, our bodies don't categorise foods in this way.

They simply see them as sources of energy and nutrients, each serving a unique purpose in fueling our bodies and minds.

We can begin to dismantle these harmful beliefs and cultivate a healthier relationship with food, for example:

1. Instead of viewing a slice of cake as a sinful indulgence, we can see it as a delicious cake to be enjoyed as and when we feel desire for cake.?
2. Rather than feeling guilty for indulging in a bowl of ice cream, we can savor each spoonful without judgment or shame, we keep it simple by eating it and enjoying it for what it is.?

Decoding Food Labels with Critical Thinking

But what about food labels? Aren't they there to help us make informed choices about what we eat?

While it's true that food labels can provide valuable information about nutritional content, they can also perpetuate the 'good' and 'bad' food dichotomy if approached uncritically.?

This is where critical thinking comes into play.

When decoding food labels, it's essential to look beyond simplistic labels like 'low-fat' or 'sugar-free' and consider the bigger picture. Instead of focusing solely on calorie counts or macronutrient ratios, ask yourself how the food makes you feel.?

Does it satisfy your hunger and leave you feeling energised, or does it leave you craving more?

Additionally, consider the source of the information. Is the food label backed by scientific evidence, or is it simply a marketing ploy designed to sell products? Keep in mind that terms like 'all-natural' or 'organic' are not synonymous with healthfulness and may be used to disguise ingredients.

Flexibility is also key when navigating food labels. Just because you’ve always labeled a food as 'bad' doesn't mean it has to be off-limits entirely. Instead, think of it as part of a balanced diet, to be enjoyed in moderation alongside nutrient-dense whole foods.

Listen to your body's signals. If a particular food leaves you feeling sluggish or unwell, it may be a sign that it doesn't agree with you, regardless of what the label says.

Conversely, if a food brings you joy and satisfaction, don't let arbitrary labels dictate your enjoyment.

By approaching food labels with critical thinking and flexibility, we can liberate ourselves from the constraints of diet culture and embrace a more intuitive way of eating.?

Instead of fearing certain foods, we can appreciate them for what they are – nourishing sources of pleasure and sustenance.

Intuitive eating offers a powerful antidote to the harmful labelling of foods as 'good' and 'bad'.?

By tuning into our bodies' cues and adopting a more flexible mindset, we can break free from diet culture and reclaim our enjoyment of food. So let's silence the noise of food morality and embrace the delicious diversity that the world of food has to offer.?

After all, life is too short to deny ourselves the simple pleasure of a well-enjoyed meal, don’t you agree?

I will leave you today with a message I share often with my clients; Not all foods are nutritionally equal, but all foods are morally equal. And you are worth making eating a priority in your life.?

Until next time,

Denise