How to Improve Your Relationship With Food

Since February is the month of relationships, we asked nutritionist Kathleen Melanson, director of URI’s Energy Metabolism Lab, for some tips for improving our all too often love-hate relationship with food. Here’s what her research suggests:

Do things together: Eat and exercise. Find activities you enjoy so you will keep doing them. Savor how good food tastes and exercise feels.

Embrace your eggplant: Vegetables, legumes, fruits, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, nuts, and seeds provide lots of nutrients with few calories.

Take time for each other: Avoid eating directly out of packages. Instead, portion out a single serving and return the package to the shelf. Eat slowly, enjoying the taste, textures, and the experience.

Make a commitment: You’re in this for the long term so make friends with your biological cues that tell you when you’re hungry and when you’re full.

Take pleasure in the relationship: Avoid guilt or fear regarding food. Relish a balanced diet, valuing foods as a source of nourishment and enjoyment, to fuel your body and keep it healthy.