Creating a Healthy Relationship With Food

Many factors impact how people feel about food. Some individuals may experience issues with diet and self-image, including disordered eating and chronic health conditions. People’s relationship with food directly affects their health. According to Health.gov, “About half of all American adults – or 117 million individuals – have one or more preventable chronic disease, many of which are related to poor-quality eating patterns and physical inactivity.” Home-delivered meals help people create a more positive relationship with food, improving overall health and wellness. LifeSpring Home Nutrition offers a wide range of meal options, including medically tailored meals (MTMs) to address chronic or acute health issues.

Factors Impacting Your Relationship With Food

Everyone has a different relationship with food due to various factors, including how they were raised to think about food and any medical conditions affecting their self-image or physical health. People’s relationship with food determines what they eat, when, and how much. Portion control is a common problem. Eating too little or too much food impacts people’s hormone levels and nutrition, which affects their behaviors and mental health.

Some of the most common factors affecting an individual’s relationship with food include:

• Childhood experiences and family environment
• Stress levels and other psychological factors
• Environmental factors
• Peer pressure and other social influences
• Income and socioeconomic status
• Nutritional education and awareness
• Physical health

Religious and cultural beliefs also influence how people think about food. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “For example, people who identify with Muslim or Jewish religious traditions may want foods that are Halal or Kosher, respectively.” Often, a combination of factors affects how people feel about food and the types of meals they eat.

How Do Home-Delivered Meals Affect Your Relationship With Food?

Home-delivered meals provide an excellent source of vitamins and minerals. Each meal is carefully portioned and prepared to ensure it remains delicious and nutritious. The convenience of home-delivered meals also makes them an important part of some people’s diets. Those who have an unhealthy relationship with food often benefit from receiving home-delivery programs and services. People with eating disorders (EDs) or other forms of food restrictions benefit from home-delivered meals. Frequently, meal prescriptions or MTMs are combined with counseling to help people develop a healthier relationship with food.

Consistent Delivery Schedule

The consistent delivery schedule allows people to create a routine surrounding when and where they eat. Once a week, the same delivery driver drops off meals and quickly checks in with clients to ensure their needs are met. The schedule provides familiarity and a comforting routine. Individuals who have maladaptive relationships with food may benefit from the structure of home-delivered meals.

Portions Make It Easier to Recognize Hunger and Fullness Cues

The portion size of premade meals ensures people receive the recommended calories and nutrients. Often, people with an unhealthy relationship with food find it challenging to correctly identify hunger and fullness cues, which might cause them to binge or under-eat. Eating meals with a proper portion size can help people better recognize hunger and fullness cues. In addition, consistency and routines surrounding meals help the body become used to the correct portion size.

Obesity is a significant risk factor for many preventable diseases. According to Nature Portfolio, “Systematic studies have shown that providing individuals with larger portions of foods and beverages leads to substantial increases in energy intake,” and “large portions have a role in the development of obesity.” Set portion sizes make it easier to manage weight or lose excess weight. Managing weight through portion control reduces the risk of heart disease and other obesity-related health conditions.

Creating a More Positive Relationship With Food

People who have more positive relationships with food are more likely to embrace a healthy diet by reducing ultra-processed foods, saturated fats, and added sugars. Often, individuals who feel more confident and comfortable with their diet find it easier to make healthy lifestyle changes, including:

• Increasing hydration
• Staying more active
• Getting quality sleep

Healthy diets support healthy lifestyles. LifeSpring Home Nutrition delivers meals designed to provide energy and nourishment. Each dish uses high-quality ingredients to enrich people’s lives and help them develop better eating habits.

LifeSpring Home Nutrition Can Improve Your Relationship With Food

Many individuals benefit from receiving weekly meal deliveries for a variety of reasons. Consistent quality and nutrition delivered to the door can improve overall health. Home-delivered meals also reduce the risk of common preventable health issues and promote a more positive relationship with food. Regardless of their background or current medical condition, everyone deserves the dignity of choosing what they eat and when. The meal plans are tailored to meet each person’s unique needs and preferences.

Creating a healthier relationship with food involves being more mindful of dietary choices and their potential consequences. People can make better decisions about their diets if they have more information about how foods may impact them. Fortunately, LifeSpring Home Nutrition provides nutrition education and meal delivery services to communities in California.

How people feel about food impacts the types of foods they eat and their mental health. Creating a healthy relationship with food improves a person’s well-being and allows them to create healthy dietary routines and behaviors. In addition, those who develop healthy relationships with food often have an easier time adhering to nutritional guidelines and preventing health issues through lifestyle changes. LifeSpring Home Nutrition helps people feel good about themselves and their diets by offering delicious and nourishing meals for people to choose from. Those who participate in home-delivery services also have access to a registered dietitian (RD) and nutritional education. To learn more about our services and how to get home-delivered meals, call us at (800) 798-5767.