The Sainthood of Healthy Eating

This entry is written by a guest writer. It has an edge to it, but I like it. The writer makes a good point about over-pridefulness in healthy eating. Here it is, reprinted with permission from Joanne Press:

I was just hit with this thought after reading Linda’s September 10th blog entry on validation. Linda mentioned that perhaps people who overeat or binge are looking for validation from others or in general and that food gives it to them.

Well, I think there is another kind of validation that food brings about.

Some people get a lot of validation out of the fact that they eat healthy. So much so that they look in other shoppers’ grocery carts and sneer. Then they feel “sanctified” because non of “that garbage” is in their carts.

Now, I know what you’re thinking. What’s wrong with eating healthfully? In the age of the obesity epidemic shouldn’t these people be applauded?

Well, there’s nothing wrong with eating healthfully. People SHOULD try to eat healthfully . However, I don’t think they should be applauded, either.

Really, is it THAT important? I mean, the same people may make remarks about how people shouldn’t need food for comfort, etc. etc. or even that food addiction is a pile of BS. Isn’t what they’re doing kind of the same? Are you really better than someone because you have more produce in your cart? What if the “slob with the poor diet” just came off a 2 day shift in the emergency room?

What if the biogeneticist likes to have a cookie from time to time?

What are these people really looking for? Some wee bit of satisfaction or attention that they’re not getting from somewhere else? The need to feel important? Validation, perhaps?

What would these people do in times of disaster? What if the only food at the Red Cross was, gasp! Ramen noodles! What? No organic produce?

Seems kind of similar to what someone who is overweight is accused of using food for?

Now, you might be thinking to yourself reading this. Well. You’re just a jealous fatty who can’t put the Ding Dongs down.

I’m not. As a matter of fact, I’m a recovering from food issues of my own, anorexia, exercise bulimia and the subsequent binge eating from it.

Not that my size should matter. I’m a fit, healthy lady who likes to workout.

I guess I just don’t understand the preoccupation with what others do…

Does the above resonate with you? If so, feel free to discuss it on the Diet Survivors message board. I think this was my favorite line, "What if the biogeneticist likes to have a cookie from time to time? "

Click on the book cover for more information

Free resources: (You'll see after clicking how to subscribe to them)

Diet Survivors meditations

Diet Survivors newsletter

Diet Survivors message board

Food and Feelings message board

Find out more about Linda Moran's book, How to Survive Your Diet.