What is a food rule?

To know if you have any food rules, let’s start by outlining what exactly a food rule is!

A food rule (or restriction) is any decision about food (what to eat, when to eat, etc) that is based on outside information or what you think is “right” or “good”, not your own knowledge of what feels good to you and what your body is needing.

Let’s talk through an example —

If you were out for dinner and wanted a burger, would you go with a lettuce wrap or for the bread bun?

Now, why did you choose your answer?

The WHY is what makes the difference between a food rule and a food preference!

Food preferences are when you make a decision on what would be the ideal option but if it isn’t available there wouldn’t be stress or anxiety around it. This can sometimes be a gray area when it comes to uncovering food rules.

If you notice you feel better, less uncomfortable, and more satisfied, when you choose the lettuce wrap, that is most often a food preference. Because it's what you choose to have!

If you are trying to have fewer carbs or eat what you think is the healthier option to be good, then that is a food rule.

Take your latest dinner option and think about — which one was it?