The power of our food stories

Did you know that the food stories we established at a young age have a powerful impact on our current food struggles? Changing these stories is so important for healing our relationship with food. My early memories in relation to food are a bit foggy but I do remember little tidbits. I remember every Friday night when I went to my grandmother’s house for dinner, the first thing I would do was run to the fridge to scope out dessert. Another memory is every time we went to a family friend’s cottage, he would have my favourite chocolate bars waiting for me.

Desserts and junk food were always highly coveted and considered “treats” and not something to be eating all of the time. I remember every time I would eat a “treat” my dad would make the sound of a pig oinking. I don’t know that he ever meant anything negative by doing that as he was always beside me eating the same sweets with a big smile on his face. However, that memory is firmly etched in my mind with a negative connotation around junk food.

As I continue to unpack my current relationship with food, I definitely feel that I acquired a lot of shame and guilt at a young age for indulging in treats. Even though it was often given to me with good intentions, subconsciously I would tell myself it was “bad” or that I was bad for choosing to eat it.

What is your first food memory? Do you think that your early food story has impacted your relationship with food today?