Rethinking How We Talk About Food
Food is more than just sustenance. It’s culture, memory, identity, and often—whether we like it or not—a loaded topic. From casual conversations to marketing slogans, the way we talk about food shapes how we think about our bodies, our choices, and each other. It’s time we pause and ask: Are we doing it right?
The Language of "Good" and "Bad" Foods
You’ve probably heard (or said) things like:
“I was SO BAD this weekend—I had CAKE.”
“I’m being GOOD today, just salad for lunch.”
It’s subtle, but what we are doing here is creating a powerful (and unhelpful) internal narrative that deems some foods as “bad”, and eating them makes us bad, and other foods as “good”, and eating them makes us “good” and “healthier”. This labelling of foods only serves to make us feel guilty and ashamed when we pick up that chocolate bar, and make us feel good when we instead opt for the lettuce.
Using this language leads us to unhealthy patterns of trying to justify why it is ok to have this “bad” snack over that “good snack”.
But food isn’t a confession. It doesn’t need to be justified.
What if we stopped assigning this moral value to what we eat?
Reclaiming Joy in Eating
Eating should be joyful, nourishing—not just nutritionally, but emotionally and socially too.
Yet so often, conversations around food become battlegrounds for guilt, shame, or discipline. The irony? Many of us have complex relationships with food because of the very narratives we’ve absorbed growing up.
Reclaiming joy means speaking about food in terms of how it makes us feel—not in terms of worth:
“This is delicious.”
“This reminds me of home.”
“I love how this meal brings people together.”
Changing the narrative around food transforms the way we feel about it, and ourselves.
Bodies, Diets, and the Comparison Trap
When people talk about food, it often circles back to bodies—who’s losing weight, what diet is trending, what someone should be eating. These comments, even when well-meaning, can be harmful. They reinforce the idea that there is one right way to look or eat—and that others are up for public commentary.
A better approach? Let’s normalize respecting people’s choices without judgment or unsolicited advice. Let’s ask about recipes, share stories, talk about flavors—not calories.
So how should we talk about food?
- With curiosity, not judgment
- With inclusivity, recognizing cultural differences
- With awareness of how our words impact others
- With appreciation for what food gives us—energy, connection, comfort
Final Thoughts
Changing how we talk about food won’t fix everything. But it’s a powerful start. Language shapes culture, and by choosing our words more intentionally, we can help build a healthier, more compassionate food culture—one where everyone has a seat at the table and feels welcome.
Get In Touch!
Whether you are concerned for a loved one, or need some guidance; contact me today for an absolutely no-obligation chat.
First contact is the hardest part; I’m here to help you in any way I can.
07740549909