For the past few weeks, we have been living in a climate of ever-increasing demands , on the satisfaction of which the control of the spread of COVID-19 depends to a large extent . Our way of life has changed radically and due to the fear and uncertainty about global developments, we are looking for all kinds of outlets in our daily lives. Under whatever circumstances we are going through this phase of our lives, with or without working from home, alone or with company, one thing is certain: we want to avoid additional stress and unnecessary oppression. But could this be a good opportunity to rebuild our relationship with food from scratch, and without any anxiety that may arise from the fact that we #StayHome and, “therefore, we are constantly in front of the refrigerator”? Let’s look at some thoughts on this hot issue.
Balanced diet means health
A balanced diet, especially in times when our immune system needs to be on high alert, is of utmost importance, both physically and psychologically . When we stay at home all the time, our tendency is to consume more processed foods, with a high concentration of salt, sugar and fat.
Of course, the “ comfort food ”, which makes us feel (at least at first) better, is often fatty food . However, this can change if we stop believing that anything healthy and beneficial for the body is automatically tasteless, even torturous during its consumption.
In many cases, the pleasure of a taste is acquired gradually , within the context of habit and the cultivation of a new holistic approach to food . No one (probably) was thrilled the first time they tried plain boiled cauliflower, however, cooking it with various spices, for example, the end result was exactly the opposite. Therefore, perhaps the time has come, since we now have more free time at our disposal for cooking, to give a chance to new ingredients and foods that are extremely beneficial for the body , especially if at this stage we do not have the opportunity to exercise as we used to do before the pandemic.
Are we at “war with our bodies”?
“War with our bodies” doesn’t just mean eating mostly processed foods, full of fat, sugar, and salt. For some people, it can also mean harsh, exhausting diets and deprivation, which in some cases are done “preventively” so that staying at home all the time doesn’t burden them with many extra pounds. It is clearly a good idea to avoid any food that is not beneficial for our body, but it is terribly difficult and, ultimately, useless , especially from a psychological point of view, to deprive ourselves of things we crave, even “once in a while”, even in small quantities.
The current life circumstances are stressful and can push us to “dietary extremes” in any direction. In this case, however, we lose nutritional balance again and weaken our body, physically and psychologically, while we need the exact opposite.
A new relationship with food
During this period, it is not mandatory to be the most productive workers, if we ourselves do not wish to be for whatever reason, nor to resort to any constant excess of any nature . Just as we will try to exercise for some time during the day and watch our series and movies without “melting” on the couch for ten hours every day, so we will also approach food: with balance , awareness and, above all, a mood of enjoyment .
So, every day we can use our time to plan our meals, incorporating beneficial ingredients into our diet and enjoying our food, without pressure, second thoughts or regrets about any “inconsistencies”. A new relationship with food means balanced nutrition, health, enjoyment and above all, care for ourselves.
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