Why We Eat: Releasing Shame Around Food & Eating

For those that are first gen, multicultural, or of the global majority, food is not just physical or nutritional sustenance. Food is cultural, emotional, and even spiritual. We may struggle with our relationship with food given systemic political contexts, but in my personal and professional experience, the struggle with food is actually a North Star for home, community causes, and belonging. 

From Lindsay Valley LCSW, Arizona therapist, some context on the roles food holds in our lives and therefore the many functions of eating. When we validate our multifaceted relationship with food, we can begin to understand our values and tastes. We can then make informed decisions in our relationship with food, just like any other social relationship.

And so first things first, a big step in healing our relationship with food is releasing shame surrounding the thoughts to eat and the act of eating itself. 

Why We Eat: 

Nourishment. Survival. Pleasure. Nutrition. Thrill. Convenience. Boredom. Community, or lack thereof… to feel connection or to soothe a broken heart; to remind ourselves of home.

Food, eating, is required for survival... And love, connection, soothing our emotions, are all required for our survival.

Binge eating disorder, at its heart, wants an ecosystem, a family of interconnectedness. Binge Eating Disorder also needs to learn boundaries, to honor its own voice, and to meet its own needs as much as it attunes to others.

Lindsay Valley, LCSW

If you're looking for support in your relationship to food, Lindsay Valley LCSW is happy to meet with cycle breakers seventeen and older. She specializes in binge eating disorder as well as incorporating astrology and tarot into the therapy process for those that wish to incorporate those tools on their healing journey!