Ever find yourself staring at a perfectly good plate of food and feeling an inexplicable resistance to eating it? We all have those foods we just won’t touch. But have you ever paused to ask yourself, “Why won’t you eat that?”
The Childhood Connection: How Early Experiences Shape Our Food Choices
In those moments, pause and wonder what makes you resistant to eating the food. It might be a food aversion that stems from an unpleasant experience. Perhaps it came from something someone (or the media) told you. This behavior is known as a food aversion, defined as a “behavioral response to a stimulus or anticipation of a stimulus, which may persist beyond initial pain or sensory processing problem. “. Learn more about food aversion here.
Let me share a couple of stories with you—one from my childhood and one from my adult life. These stories might sound familiar, or maybe they’ll spark a memory of your own.
As a kid, my family relied heavily on canned foods. One staple in our pantry was a canned fruit product labeled fruit cocktail. To this day, I vividly recall a night we had some for dinner, and I later threw up all over. From that day on, I refused to eat it, until many years later when I realized it wasn’t the fruit cocktail that made me sick; I just had the flu.
Can you relate? Do you have a similar memory of getting sick after eating something and avoiding it for years afterward?
Adult Discoveries: New Foods, New Reactions
Fast forward to my adult years—I was camping with some girlfriends, enjoying nature and the fresh air. One of the women brought falafel to share with one of our dinner meals. I’d never tried it before, and to my surprise, I loved it! But sadly, I discovered falafel didn’t love me back. The deep-fried chickpeas wreaked havoc on my digestion, much to my embarrassment and the discomfort of my tent mates. Since that time – almost 25 years ago- I haven’t eaten falafel or anything else with chickpeas.
Unpacking Limiting Beliefs: Why Won’t You Eat Certain Foods?
These stories might seem lighthearted, but they highlight something deeper—our hidden limiting beliefs around food. These beliefs, often rooted in past experiences like mine, can hinder our exploration and enjoyment of an amazing variety of foods. Without judgment, ask yourself: Why won’t you eat certain foods? Is the reason still valid?
Curiosity and Kindness: The Path to Food Freedom
What if, instead of letting those beliefs dictate our choices, we approached them with curiosity and kindness? Recognizing these patterns is the first step toward freeing ourselves from them. And that’s what the journey of discovering your food story is all about—self-discovery and awareness, not judgment or quick fixes.
Join the Journey: Explore Your Food Story in the Mystery on the Food Bliss Express
In my upcoming Mystery on the Food Bliss Express Masterclass, we’ll delve even deeper into these hidden elements that impact our eating behaviors and food choices. I’ve ‘gamified’ the journey of discovery—using the theme of “Murder on the Orient Express,” we’ll explore the roots of our food beliefs and unravel the mysteries of our eating habits. The goal, ultimately, is to learn how to embrace a more joyful, nourishing relationship with food. It’s a chance to get curious about your own food story and discover new ways to nourish not just your body, but your spirit as well.
So, why won’t you eat that? Maybe it’s time to find out.
Blessings to you and remember to love your authentic self a little more deeply today. I’ll see you on the journey to uncover the mysteries of food bliss.
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