Drop the Judgments
Whether socially or through the media we consume, many of us have learned to judge certain foods as “good” or “bad,” leading to some complicated emotions around food. The good news? You can unlearn it, too. Try this exercise before your next meal.
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In this exercise, we'll dispel the notion of good and bad foods. Do this exercise before your next meal. You won't need food for this one. Let's start by closing our eyes and bringing our attention to the breath. Become aware of the in-breath and the out-breath. Begin by picturing foods that throughout your life, you have commonly thought of as bad. Notice what types of food they are. Bad foods might be something you really like, but don't let yourself eat or it might be something you do eat but feel guilty about. What are the thoughts that you have about these foods? What are the words that come to mind? What are the thoughts you have about yourself when you eat them? Now let those images and thoughts fade away. Take a deep breath and let it go with a sigh. Now let's go back to picturing one of your bad foods. This time, let the bad label melt away and imagine giving yourself permission to eat these foods. Do this with kindness and compassion for yourself and the food as best you can. How does that feel? When you're ready, gently open your eyes. Take a moment to pause and reflect on how that exercise felt. Remember, there are no good or bad foods, and you are neither good nor bad for having eaten them. By mindfully eating, we can build a healthier relationship with food that releases the guilt that sometimes accompanies eating. We look forward to seeing you in the next lesson....
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Andy PuddicomeHeadspace Co-founderMore about AndyA former Buddhist monk, Andy has guided people in meditation and mindfulness for 20 years. In his mission to make these practices accessible to all, he co-created the Headspace app in 2010.
Eve Lewis PrietoHeadspace Director of MeditationMore about EveEve is a mindfulness teacher, overseeing Headspace’s meditation curriculum. She is passionate about sharing meditation to help others feel less stressed and experience more compassion in their lives.
Dora KamauMeditation TeacherMore about DoraAs a meditation teacher, Dora encourages others to live, breathe, and be with the fullness of their experiences. She loves meditation’s power to create community and bring clarity to people’s minds.
Kessonga GiscombeMeditation TeacherMore about KessongaKessonga has been an acupuncturists, therapist, and meditation teacher, working to bring mindfulness to the diverse populations of the world.
Rosie AcostaMeditation TeacherMore about RosieRosie Acosta has studied yoga and mindfulness for more than 20 years and taught for over a decade. Rosie’s mission is to help others overcome adversity and experience radical love.
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