Alternatives to Food

As mentioned yesterday, food does more than fuel our bodies—it dominates our world. Food is a wonderful thing, but we don’t have to be held captive by it. There are other ways to celebrate, other ways to reward ourselves and our kids, and other ways to find enjoyment.

Comfort. The best way to comfort anyone is with physical touch—hugs, hand-squeezes, kisses, even tickling. Another way to comfort a child is to distract them from the problem. When Eden gets hurt, I try to find an activity that she enjoys that will pull her mind away from her hurt. The same works for us adults—and the distraction doesn’t have to be food.

Reward. While food can be an easy form of reward, there are many other ways to applaud an accomplishment. For kids, a sticker chart, a ride on the carousel at the mall, verbal praise, and a trip to the park are just a few ideas. For adults, we can reward ourselves by pampering ourselves. A bubble bath, a pedicure, new clothes, and an evening doing our favorite leisure activity are a few ideas.

Entertainment. There are many entertaining activities that do not require food. In fact, when you really get absorbed in a fun hobby, it’s often hard to remember to eat! Hiking, skiing, reading a book, bowling, scrapbooking, gardening…the list is endless. The best way to avoid eating for entertainment is to find an activity that requires your hands and other body movement. Food probably won’t be needed at all—except for fuel!

Celebrations and holidays. Food might be expected at special occasions, but food doesn’t have to be high in fat and calories. Part of the enjoyment of food is the preparation. Spending time cooking and baking can be enjoyable, can make the day extra special, and can still be healthy.