The food anxiety is defined as a fear or nervousness that is generated by thinking about the consequences of eating certain foods. Among these fears are gaining weight, suffering from an allergy, choking to death, or being judged by others.
In many cases this anxiety leads to eating incorrectly, avoiding important foods. But there are more serious episodes where loses appetite and begins a significant weight losswhich can lead to bulimia and other eating disorders.
fight this food anxiety It is not easy, like everything that has to do with psychological disorders. Dr. Rachel Goldman, through the VeryWellfit website, offers us some tips to fight this food anxiety.
This doctor recommends, first of all, pay attention to our internal dialogue. What do we say to ourselves when faced with a food that generates anxiety? What is the fear? Drowning, allergy, gain weight?
It is important to know this internal dialogue, and try to alter it to take it to more realistic terms. Almost always the fears we feel are greatly exaggerated by our minds or imaginations.
Another good tip is stop labeling food People with anxiety categorize foods as “good” or “bad” based on their fear. We have to stop putting labels and start thinking about what all foods are necessary for our body to function at 100%and all have a place in a balanced diet.
There is no perfect food. Perhaps you become obsessed with selecting nutritionally perfect foods. They don’t exist, because Human beings need to eat many kinds of food. And we also need to eat certain foods just because they are tastyor just because they have a social function to relatefor example a barbecue or a wedding banquet.
It is also important don’t walk away mentallyand not blame yourself for eating a certain food, or for not eating a certain food. Try to be compassionate with yourself and propose to overcome anxiety with any of the other methods.
Finally, ask your family and friends for help. These types of problems are best overcome if other people support you and encourage you to overcome these fears.
And if nothing works, do not hesitate and go to your GP, or a psychologist. They know how to act in these cases.