Confident Eaters cover image

Confident Eaters

Help! I Use Food to Reward Myself

Oct 20, 2023
Join coaches Georgie, an expert in the emotional ties between food and behavior, and Shannon, who dives into the pitfalls of using food as motivation. They discuss how rewarding oneself with food can lead to unhealthy habits and emotional dependencies. The duo highlights alternative ways to celebrate achievements, from simple self-care activities to enriching experiences like movie nights. With practical tips and relatable stories, they inspire listeners to redefine their reward systems and foster a healthier relationship with food.
36:47

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Using food as a reward can foster an unhealthy emotional dependency, negatively impacting relationships with food and self-worth.
  • Identifying alternative non-food rewards can enhance overall well-being and promote healthier eating habits without a merit-based mindset.

Deep dives

Patterns of Food Rewards

Many individuals develop a habit of rewarding themselves with food after enduring stressors or accomplishing tasks. Common phrases such as 'I deserve this treat' or 'I earned this' often surface after a challenging day, a hard week, or even mundane tasks like paperwork or dealing with life stresses. This behavior can be particularly pronounced among parents and students, where food is used as a transitional reward for managing daily responsibilities or academic efforts. This tendency indicates a broader cultural normalization of associating food with achievement, revealing a widely shared belief that one must justify indulgence.

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