Jeannine Kaiser

In my previous article, When Food Becomes “Good” or “Bad”: Finding a More Balanced Approach, I shared how labeling foods—or ourselves—as “good” or “bad” can contribute to guilt, shame, and all-or-nothing thinking. But even when we recognize this pattern, changing it can take time. You may still notice thoughts like: · “I shouldn’t eat that.” · “I need to make up for what I ate yesterday.” · “This is healthier, so I have to choose it.” · “If I eat this now, the whole day is ruined.” If these...

Have you ever heard yourself saying: “I was good today because I didn’t eat sugar.” “I was bad because I had dessert.” “I already messed up, so I might as well keep eating.” “I’ll start over on Monday.” If so, you’re not alone. These thoughts are incredibly common, but they can quietly shape the way we think about food and ourselves. When we begin labeling foods or ourselves as “good” or “bad,” eating can become tied to guilt, shame, or perfection instead of nourishment. Over time, this way...