Why do I attach morality to what foods I eat?

I think as a culture, we're inundated with messages that there are 'good' foods and 'bad' foods and it becomes really easy to internalize those. Add to that the constant discussions of feeling guilty for eating or being 'good' when you stick to a diet, and it can be really hard to avoid attaching morality to every meal. That said, I think most doctors, nutritionists, etc. agree that there aren't really inherently bad foods. It's all about eating everything in moderation and focusing on getting the nutrients that you need. Which is hard to remember when picking out a snack, but will ultimately make you healthier and happier! :)

Society attaches these moralities for you, and you just internalize that. It's very hard to unlearn, but can be very toxic.

Our thoughts are (somewhat) shaped by the media. It is completely normal in advertising to discuss certain foods as being "bad" or "sunful". Seriously, you can look up ads for oreos or other sugary snack foods, and you will see them being labelled as such. Also, since too much sugar or fat isn't good for you, our minds may link that we should feel bad about eating something that is not as healthy as, say, an apple.

Food does not define who you are or what kind of person you are. The reason you attach morality to what foods you eat is because your eating disorder makes you think that eating foods that aren't the worlds most healthy foods is bad when it really isn't, it is normal

maybe it's just in your head, i've actually only heard of that kind of thing a few times and i'm not sure.

In this age, a lot of foods are unhealthy for us.. some are even disguised as healthy. In some cases the science isn't even clear whether it's healthy or not. And it's natural to want to eat healthy to live a long and healthy life... since the quality of the food you eat impacts your health largely. Proof of this is how many health conditions are caused or associated with certain foods and their high salt levels or cholesterol or fat levels. E.g egg yolks are said to be high in cholesterol and should be avoided to prevent heart attacks.. but the science is still not clear since some suggest that egg yolks are healthy and not responsible at all. Given the influx of information , contradictory at times, you might feel the urge and worry to eat healthy to improve your overall health and lifespan. But too much obsession over this also suggests that you might have orthorexia and might need to see a doctor.. after all being too worried can make it impossible to enjoy treats once in a while, eat in public or even eat at all without a nagging worry.

People with eating disorders may attach morality to foods in which some foods are "good" and others are "bad." Foods that are labeled as "bad" tend to be those that we have been taught to view as unhealthy, such as fast foods and dessert. It is important to remember that food is just food, with no real moral significance. It is more important to act morally as a person than to only eat "good" foods!

I tell my ladies that no food is completely off limits. Throw away words like will-power, control and cheat-meal. Again, these all attach too much moral value to the foods we eat. I don’t believe in strict meal planning, counting macros or tracking food intake on an ongoing basis. I think the key is to find healthy eating strategies that are satisfying as well as sustainable in the long-term. I do believe transitioning towards a holistic way of eating that works for your individual needs.