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Episode Transcript

Hey, it’s Ryann from the Food Freedom Lab. Let’s talk about something ironic today. Ever notice how much time we spend thinking about food, and then when we finally get to eat, we don’t allow ourselves to taste, be present with the flavors, and enjoy the food? I’m Ryann, your host, a licensed therapist, certified nutritionist, and recovered binge eater. Welcome to the Food Freedom Lab, where we keep it real, raw, and authentic. Grab your snacks, and let’s dive in.

Challenging Food Fears

I want to share my experience with challenging food fears. In March, I challenged food fears every day, expecting people to brush it off. Surprisingly, many of you embraced the challenge. Today, let’s talk about breaking these fears, understanding their roots, and moving towards food freedom.

Irrational Food Fears

Food fears often make no sense. They’re rooted in random information from blogs, infomercials, or someone’s opinion. Take my example: I had no issue with regular ice cream, but whole milk was a no-go. It’s crucial to get curious, question these fears, and understand where they originated.

Deeper Than Food

Food fears go beyond the surface. It’s not just about the food; it’s the fear of weight gain, fear of body changes, fear of eating too much, and more. To overcome these fears, we need to go deeper and address the underlying concerns.

Acknowledging Anxiety

When faced with a fear, acknowledge the anxiety. Recognize that there’s no real threat. It’s about calming yourself down, showing that you’re safe, and learning that you can be okay even with the feared food.

Challenging Fears Gradually

You can’t overcome fears without challenging them. Start small by making a list of fears and ranking them from least scary to most scary. Begin with the least scary ones. Breaking them builds confidence to tackle the scarier ones gradually.

Changing the Script

If you think, “I could never do that,” challenge that thought. Change the script to, “I’m not ready to do that right now.” Create a journey for yourself; it’s not a race. Begin with what feels comfortable.

Practical Steps

Take a moment to list your food fears. Rank them from least scary to most scary. Under each rank, write down the specific foods. Start with the least scary and work your way up. Create an experience around each food by sitting at a table and fully immersing yourself in the taste.

Being Present with Food

Isn’t it ironic that we think so much about food but don’t allow ourselves to taste and be present when we eat? Change the narrative. When breaking a food fear, be intentional. Sit at the table, smell the food, taste it fully, and be present. Change your experience with food.

Reflecting on the Experience

After challenging a fear, reflect on the experience. Did you enjoy it? Was the taste as expected? Sometimes, we build up flavors in our minds that don’t match reality. Slow down, taste, and decide if you genuinely enjoy it.

Discovering Preferences

Challenge fears to discover your true preferences. It’s not just about breaking fears but realizing what you genuinely like. When you allow, embrace, and enjoy food, stress decreases, and you gain the ability to choose what you want.

Facing Food Fears Today

If you’re struggling with food fears, know you’re not alone. Acknowledge the validity of your fears, but also recognize that breaking them requires challenging them. What might happen if you start challenging them today?

Links

🔗 Work With Ryann

🔗 Ryann’s Online Courses

🔗 Follow Ryann On Instagram

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