5 Reasons Why You Might Feel out of Control Around Food and How to Manage It

It’s ironic, I never felt out of control with food in my life until my late 20’s when I put massive restrictions on my diet due to me participating in a few bodybuilding shows. A common solution I would implement when I knew I was getting close to the show date was placing even heavier restrictions around food to “be better” at following my already restrictive diet.

It wasn’t until a few years later I realized I developed orthorexia, which is the obsession with eating healthy. I mean never eating out or ordering in, never NOT eating any food I didn’t cook myself, not drinking alcohol, meticulously tracking every calorie and macronutrient. I consumed no processed foods, no sweets, no dairy, obsessively weighing all my foods and constantly thinking about my next meal.

It took me two years to overcome the physical and mental residual effects from this disorder. I began to realize that the reason why I felt so out of control with food was because of the heavy restrictions I placed around it- NOT because I was lacking willpower! My calorie goal was so low and the “rules” I laid out for myself to follow were so unsustainable that I was forced to constantly think about it all the time which ultimately led to my unhealthy obsession.

Now I’m able to look back at the experience and be grateful for it because I’m able to coach and help people develop a much more positive and peaceful relationship with food in their own lives.

I wanted to share five reasons you might be struggling with feeling out of control around food. I know these were definitely all true for me.

1. You’re not eating enough!

Simple as it is, if you’re constantly in a state of deprivation you’re going to often feel out of control because you are hungry or always slightly deprived.

2. You label foods as “good” and “bad”

Food is just food- there are no good foods and bad foods. When we’re able to wholeheartedly believe this, there is a heavy weight lifted off our shoulders.

3. You never, ever allow yourself sweets or any fun foods to have in your home

You refuse to buy anything not considered “healthy.”

4. You beat yourself up

After eating certain foods and swear you will “make up for it” tomorrow by eating less or not eating at all, OR working extra hard at the gym.

5. You avoid one whole macronutrient food group such as carbs or fats

The reality is as human beings, we need ALL macronutrients to function at our most optimal levels; mentally and physically. To write off one entire macro group is not sustainable or healthy.

Keep in mind that most of the time feeling out of control, especially around food, happens from a root of restriction which CAN change and feel less chaotic as you work on your relationship with food.

If this resonates with you and you’d like support to develop a more peaceful relationship with food, fill out this form and I’ll get back to you. You are NEVER alone.