I Don’t Judge Your Food, Don’t Judge Mine
The purpose of getting healthy is not to take all the joy out of life.
I’ve long considered myself a foodie. Food is one of the greatest joys in life — it connects us to culture, family, and comfort. And here’s the thing: I still love food. The difference is, thanks to modern medical science, I just eat less of it.
You don’t have to be ashamed for liking food. Enjoying meals is not a character flaw — it’s human. As with obesity itself, liking food is not a personal failing.
That said, we can’t ignore reality: certain foods do increase the risk for obesity, especially highly energy-dense and ultra-processed foods like sugary drinks, juices, and packaged snacks. They’re designed to be hyper-palatable and easy to overconsume.
But here’s what doesn’t work: trying to willpower your way into perfect eating. Willpower is one of the most misunderstood concepts in health. It’s not an unlimited resource we can simply summon at will. In fact, many people — for reasons of biology, stress, sleep, environment, and more — have very little reliable control over it. Relying on willpower alone sets people up to feel like failures when the real issue is that the system is stacked against them.
So instead of judgment or shame, the focus should be on practical, sustainable strategies:
Trigger avoidance: Don’t buy the food you’re trying to limit. If it never makes it into your pantry, it can’t call your name at midnight. Even changing your route home to avoid that tempting restaurant can make a difference.
Mindful eating: Slowing down, paying attention to taste, texture, and fullness cues can help break the cycle of mindless overeating.
Self-compassion: Remember, enjoying food doesn’t make you weak. It makes you human.
What doesn’t help? Judgment, consternation, or the idea that you should hide what you’re eating. You don’t need to hide your food from me — I’m not here to scold your plate. My job is to help you navigate the balance between enjoying food and protecting your health.
Because in the end, getting healthier isn’t about erasing joy or summoning superhuman willpower. It’s about building an environment and a mindset where health and joy can exist together.
