Food is a mood + our mood plays a role with food

Our relationship to food + summer insights

For a long time, my body felt like a problem to be solved—whether it was weight or health-related. By default, food sadly became a problem, too. And when the weather is too hot to think, I don’t have it in me to solve the “problem” of what to have for lunch.

None of it should be a “problem” in the first place—we are not something to be “fixed,” and food is not “wrong.” It’s a privilege to have food at all, yet media and wellness culture are constantly warning us what is “good” vs. “bad.” It’s as exhausting as using relentless quotation marks to indicate that something is a perception and not necessarily every single person’s reality.

That’s not to say there aren’t foods that can knowingly cause a variety of physical, mental, and ecological health issues—it’s disheartening that certain ingredients and farming or production methods are even permitted. But if we’re on an anxious emotional hamster wheel of what to avoid and what to consume, the stress from that mental math won’t serve our body and mind, either.

That’s not to say there aren’t foods that can knowingly cause a variety of physical, mental, and ecological health issues — it’s disheartening that certain ingredients and farming or production methods are even permitted. But if we’re on an anxious emotional hamster wheel of what to avoid and what to consume, the stress from that mental math won’t serve our body or mind either.

How we relate to food is part of the equation

A client recently asked me about a specific diet they were exploring for their health—and per my aforementioned perspective, my answer was nuanced (classic). I offered some ideas, but with the caveat that mindset is one of the more important and often overlooked factors—even when working with digestive issues and health protocols.

I find this especially relevant in summer when there’s so much joy to be had in outdoor gatherings, playful activities, and ice cream. It’s one thing to take care of ourselves, but it’s another to constantly deprive ourselves of joy—even as what brings us joy in both food and life evolves over time.

And to be clear, this doesn’t mean we neglect our health! Summer is a time to nourish ourselves with adequate hydration and minerals to balance out the heat—which sadly doesn’t necessarily come from barbecued foods, dry salty chips, and ice cold beverages.

Instead of skipping out on joyful summer traditions, we can:

Shift our relationship to food. This leads to either no longer stressing about what we’re eating, or maybe even no longer craving things that don’t make us feel good. Both are relevant and important insights to know about ourselves.

Learn how to cultivate balance. If what we eat makes us feel off—knowingly or not—there are tools to help. What works for someone else might not work for us, and it’s not always in the form of an herbal or pharmaceutical remedy. Sometimes balance comes from movement, meditation, breathwork, nature, therapy, laughter, or a hug.

Find and appreciate occasional healthier alternatives. This doesn’t mean “healthier” food always suits your unique needs, and it’s not always accessible to everyone—but when it is, it can benefit both body and planet. Finding alternatives can also be a way to enjoy things you once loved but no longer tolerate well.

Read the full post with more resources on Substack.

In a nutshell

For me, the food x mood process starts with:

• Checking in with yourself and your body—taking a moment to get quiet and connect; paying attention with compassion, curiosity, and intention.
• Noticing how you feel and when you feel it—whether it’s a physical or emotional response; whether it’s before, during, or after a meal.
• Acting accordingly—which takes the willingness to learn and explore, all with margin for error (a sense of humor is helpful, too).

Trust yourself as much as the experts—and trust that your body is always communicating with you. It’s just up to us to listen.

Onward

Book a free coaching assessment call if you’re looking to cultivate your own holistic seasonal food x mood toolkit that works for your unique needs.

How do certain summer foods make you feel physically, mentally, and emotionally? What foods bring you joy this season?

Take good care,

S