Dazed and Confused

I’ve gotten to the point where I hate thinking about food. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE food. But my whole life, I’ve been so overwhelmed by information and directives and contradictions about food that I’m just annoyed. Eat whole grains, we were told. Don’t eat grains, someone said later. Yogurt is good for you! Stay away from dairy! Restrict calories! But don’t deprive yourself! ACK! It is seriously enough to make a person crazy.

The result? For me it’s hard to even enjoy food anymore. I feel lacking if I eat something healthy, especially if I’m in the mood for something “unhealthy”. But I feel guilty if I’m eating something that someone said I shouldn’t (and given all the contradictory info out there, pretty much every food on the planet has an enemy somewhere). It’s also crazy to me that while we have more fitness and health magazines than ever, and such a huge emphasis on keeping fit and lean and exercising, I also see a huge movement in the foodie sector. I mean, how on earth are we supposed to find balance and keep sane in the midst of all this?

So I’m trying to disengage from some information and get back in touch with my own self about food. I’m not really sure how to go about this, but the last thing I want is to read another book or article that tells me how I’m supposed to eat or find balance with food or whatever. What I want is to just STOP getting information from someone else, and get in touch with what my body is telling me. If I want chocolate, then I want to eat it and enjoy it and savor it – without guilt!! And when I’m feeling bloated or gross, I want to choose to have a food that makes me feel better.

Sounds easier than I think it will be. It’s like trying not read celebrity news – even without seeking it out it’s in my face all over and I still seem to know what’s going on. But I’m going to try to put on some blinders and forge ahead – on MY food terms. Whatever they are!