Happy Saturday y’all!! There is SO much happening at Meant To Eat – including hosting a wonderful intern for 4 weeks. I have had the joy of mentoring and working with Kim for the past two weeks and luckily we still have two weeks to go. Today she’s a guest posted on our blog with lots of wisdom to share, so without further ado….

Hi, I’m Kim Pierson. I am currently pursuing my dream of becoming a Registered Dietitian, with a Master’s in Nutrition on track to be completed next year. My passion for wellness-focused nutrition was sparked by my personal journey through disordered eating, which led me to explore how food can be both fuel and a source of healing. I’m committed to using my experiences and knowledge to empower others to cultivate a positive and balanced relationship with food. My goal is to help individuals find joy and nourishment in their meals, transforming food into a source of comfort and wellness.

Food rules can seem to offer a sense of control when our lives feel chaotic and overwhelming. It seems natural to want to hold on to something familiar when everything else seems uncertain, but we all know following rigid rules all the time can start to feel like carrying a heavy backpack. If you’ve found yourself clinging to inflexible food rules that are starting to rule you, it might be time to think about setting down the backpack and letting go of your rules.  

Food rules can be limiting. Rules can be a constant and familiar presence in your life, and even offer a sense of control, but they can also limit you. Breaking free from harsh rules allows us to experience the joy of fully nourishing ourselves without fear.  

Food rules can hold you back. Rigid rules can create a framework that directs when, what, and how much you should eat. Eating is meant to be a nourishing and enjoyable experience, but inflexible rules make it stressful, almost like a chore. Instead of feeling satisfied and happy after you eat, you might be left feeling guilty, broken, or like you need to “fix” something that wasn’t wrong in the first place.

You are changing the rules. Today you can take a step toward changing your rules. First, I’d like to encourage you to write down 3 of your food rules. It doesn’t matter if the rules are coming from you or the eating disorder voice in your head. Just try to write them out on paper, or in a note on your phone, or even text them to yourself.  

Now, take a deep breath and read them over. I want you to understand that these rules do not define who you are. They are not YOU, they are a manifestation of your eating disorder, a reflection of fear and control, not your true self.

One of my favorite quotes about recovery is “Recovery is about planting new seeds and nurturing them with kindness and patience, allowing yourself to grow beyond the rigid soil of food rules that once held you captive.”– Brittany Burgunder. 

Just like a garden needs sunlight, water, and nutrients from the soil to grow; your body and mind need a variety of “nutrients” to thrive. Some of the nutrients we need to flourish don’t come from food. They come from practicing self-compassion, patience, and the courage to challenge damaging rules. Every time you choose to fuel yourself with something healthy, that was previously “off-limits,” you’re allowing yourself to grow. This simple act of self-care helps you build trust in yourself. It also enables you to become more resilient to the storms of disordered eating thoughts that try to rule you.

How does this all tie back to those food rules you wrote down? Each time you try a new food, go to a different restaurant or experiment with a new recipe, you’re breaking away from those rigid rules that once closed you off and held you back. These small acts help you “grow” in your recovery and your relationship with food. 

You are building resilience. Just as a garden grows with time, and can withstand challenging weather, you too will flourish. As you challenge and overcome the eating disorder’s food rules, you build inner strength. That new strength will help you face and overcome disordered thoughts with grace and courage.

Enjoy your new freedom! I encourage you to practice flexibility and variety with your food choices. Remember, no single food choice will define your worth or your progress in recovery. You are so much more than these rules; your journey is about finding peace and a healthy balance.

Make it fun! Try keeping a journal of your new food experiences. Whether you try a new fruit you’ve never had before, or go to a coffee shop and order a different drink, write down what that experience was like for you. How did it feel to try something new? Did you enjoy it? What thoughts came up? This small act of reflection can help you see how much you’re growing, one new experience at a time.

Acts of strength and self-love. Every time you choose to let go of, or challenge, a food rule you’re choosing your well-being over fear. These choices, however small they may seem, are acts of strength and self-love. Keep growing, keep reaching, and keep nourishing your recovery. You’re doing something truly transformative.