The Pitfalls of
Using Food as Punishment

There are pitfalls to using food as punishment. Sending a misbehaving child to bed without dinner just reinforces that food is a control mechanism, not for nourishing their bodies.

I think it was harder for me as an adult to not punish myself with food. I had the mentality of “I ate a triple hot fudge sundae for breakfast and now I won’t eat the rest of the day”. That’s a no-win strategy.

I know I am going to eat the occasional item or portion that doesn’t meet the criteria described by the Healthy Diet Mom. When I do so, I make my next meal or snack a smart choice and get right back on track. I try to leave the “I’ve blown it for today and I might as well give up” attitude at the bottom of the ice cream dish.

I loudly repeat several times, "I take good care of myself because I deserve it."

And my family does too.

Return from Food as Punishment to Attitude