Takeaway: The idea of categorizing foods as good or bad is overly simplistic and unhelpful. Instead, considering foods as helpful or unhelpful based on your current goals and circumstances provides a more nuanced and beneficial approach. This perspective not only aids in making better food choices but also reduces guilt and stress around eating.
Rethinking Food: Good vs Bad
What's healthier, a Snickers bar or broccoli?
Under normal circumstances, broccoli is probably the healthier choice.
But let me ask you this: what about a diabetic with low blood sugar? Then which one's healthier, the broccoli or the Snickers bar?
In that specific context, the Snickers bar is the healthier option because the diabetic needs to raise their blood sugar levels immediately.
This scenario raises an interesting question about the idea of good and bad foods.
What this shows is that if a food that's normally considered bad can be good in some contexts, the idea of good foods and bad foods doesn't actually hold up.
The Myth of Good and Bad Foods
For years, we’ve been taught to classify foods into neat categories of good and bad.
Broccoli, kale, and quinoa are good. Candy, chips, and soda are bad.
This binary way of thinking simplifies our relationship with food, but it’s misleading and often unhelpful.
Foods don’t exist in a vacuum. They interact with our bodies, our needs, and our circumstances. What’s good in one situation might be unhelpful in another.
Take the Snickers bar and the diabetic example: a food typically deemed unhealthy becomes a lifesaver in the right context.
A Better Framework: Helpful vs. Unhelpful
Instead of labeling foods as good or bad, a better framework is to think of them as helpful or unhelpful based on your goals at the moment.
This approach is more flexible and acknowledges that our needs can change from one situation to the next.
For instance, if your goal is to fuel a workout, a banana might be helpful for a quick energy boost. On the other hand, if you’re trying to unwind after a long day, a piece of dark chocolate could be more helpful for your mental health than a salad.
Context Matters
It’s essential to have a definition that’s contextually relevant.
Whether something is healthy or not, helpful or not, depends on the circumstances.
A handful of nuts might be a great snack for someone looking to manage their weight, but it could be unhelpful for someone with a nut allergy.
This perspective can also apply to indulgent foods.
If we struggle with staying away from bad foods or eating more good foods, changing our definitions to helpful versus unhelpful can make a big difference.
You’ll find it’s much easier to navigate food choices, and it’ll help reduce the guilt of eating your favorite treats when it’s appropriate.
Practical Applications
Adopting this mindset can be liberating and practical. Here are a few scenarios to illustrate how you can apply the helpful vs. unhelpful framework in everyday life:
Before a Big Meeting: You need to be alert and focused. A cup of coffee might be more helpful than a sugary snack, which could lead to a crash later.
Post-Workout Recovery: Your body needs protein and carbs to recover. A protein shake or a turkey sandwich could be more helpful than a slice of cake.
Social Night: You want to relax and enjoy time with friends. A glass of wine might be more helpful for your mental well-being than strictly adhering to a low-calorie snack.
Reducing Food Guilt
One of the significant benefits of this approach is that it can help reduce food guilt.
By focusing on what’s helpful rather than strictly healthy or unhealthy, you allow yourself to enjoy a wider variety of foods without the constant burden of judgment.
For example, if you’re out with friends and everyone is enjoying ice cream, having a scoop because it enhances your social experience can be seen as helpful for your emotional health. You’re making a conscious choice that aligns with your goal in that moment—enjoying time with loved ones.
Out With The Old, In With The New
The idea of good and bad foods is too simplistic and often counterproductive.
By shifting your perspective to view foods as helpful or unhelpful based on your goals and circumstances, you create a more nuanced and compassionate relationship with what you eat.
This approach not only helps you make better choices but also reduces unnecessary guilt and stress around food.
So next time you’re faced with a food choice, ask yourself: what’s helpful for me right now?
You might find that the answer is different than you expected, and that’s perfectly okay. Embrace the flexibility and enjoy a healthier, more balanced approach to eating.
P.S. Want to learn more about embracing this more nuanced mindset around food? Click below to book a complimentary consultation with an A-Team Coach: