The other day we were at a KC Chiefs Football game. It was so exciting to be in the stands with thousands of others cheering on our beloved team to victory.  All around us people were eating, drinking, cheering, and eating again.  Nothing seemed to taste better than stadium food with football.  I was not hungry but joined in with a delicious bacon cheeseburger.  While celebrating another touchdown I thought there is always a reason to eat!

Why do we eat food? I developed a list of several reasons. What would you add to the list? The main reason we eat food is to give us energy and to nourish our body so it can perform all its functions. 

Other Reasons for Eating:

• Hunger
• Stressed
• Cravings
• Boredom
• Anxious
• Celebrations
• Food Availability
• Habit
• Watching TV or Sports

As we look at living a healthy lifestyle, it is important to be aware of our choices. Identify where you are on the reasons for eating list. As an example: I know that sometimes when we have a long drive in Alice, our Sprinter Van that we eat popcorn and apples because we are bored with driving.   We are looking for something to break up the monotony of driving endless miles. Another example is at baseball games our habit is to eat peanuts.

If you want to break some of these habits or eating cycles, then once you have determined the why behind your eating, here are some questions for consideration.

Answer these questions:

• Why am I choosing to eat?
• How can I pay attention to what drives my eating?
• How do I feel about my choice?
• Should I do something other than eat?
• What would be some alternatives?
• What am I choosing to eat?
• Do I feel good about my choice?
• What else could I choose?

As you become intentional about the reasons for eating, giving yourself grace is on the top of the list.  Be kind to yourself when you get off track. Writing down 3 positives about your eating at the end of the day can help rewire your mindset. Acknowledge your success and praise yourself.

Eating is not an option; we must nourish our bodies.  But there is always a reason to eat beyond nourishment.  If you are working towards a healthy lifestyle, keep your focus on “why” you eat.  Be intentional not only about eating but be intentional about what you eat.