It’s Not About Going on a Diet, It’s About Building a New Relationship with Food
Media shapes much of how we view food. In the run-up to Christmas, we’re bombarded with messages urging us to diet in anticipation of festive indulgence. Then, almost in the same breath, we’re shown adverts filled with lavish spreads, mouth-watering treats, and heartwarming scenes of families united around the dinner table with an abundance of food.
But come Boxing Day, the narrative shifts dramatically. Suddenly, it’s all about shedding the ‘holiday weight’. Diet adverts flood our screens, promising quick fixes—be it through restrictive plans, miracle tablets, or even medical injections. The irony? Some of the biggest fast-food giants in America own major slimming pill brands. That says it all, doesn’t it?
Reflecting on my own journey, I realise how deeply ingrained these manipulations can become. For as long as my family can remember, I was always ‘on a diet.’ I once had a manipulative boyfriend who convinced me I was overweight. Looking back at photos, I see now that I wasn’t at all. But he planted that seed of self-doubt, much like how someone struggling with anorexia may see a distorted image of themselves.
From Loss to Love: How Grief Reshaped My Relationship with Food
When my dad passed away, something fundamental shifted within me. My relationship with food, once woven into daily routines and moments of comfort, changed completely. Dieting, which had often lingered in the background of my life, lost its grip. But so did my interest in food itself. Meals were no longer experiences to savour—they became just tasks, void of joy. I still cooked for others, because that’s how I express love, nurturing through the flavours and warmth of homemade dishes. Yet, for myself, food was hollow, unable to fill the emptiness grief had carved inside me.
As time passed, I noticed I was becoming too thin. Oddly, I liked my new body, even though it grew from neglect rather than care. My family’s concern grew louder, their worries reflecting back what I had tried to ignore. It wasn’t just about food anymore—it was about finding a way back to myself.
That’s when I decided to open my catering business, ‘On The Kerb.’ It wasn’t just a professional move; it was a personal revival. Through cooking, I began to reconnect with food, not as a duty or a distraction from grief, but as a medium of creativity and passion. I wanted to break away from the heavy, greasy comfort foods that felt emotionally weighty. Instead, I focused on crafting high-quality, low-fat dishes—vibrant, exciting meals that celebrated flavours without excess.
‘On The Kerb’ became more than a business. It became a testament to finding me again. With every dish I prepared, I found morsels of joy, a new friend instead of a customer, small bites of connection to the world around me. Cooking was no longer just an act of love for others—it became an act of love for myself. Through grief, I lost my way with food, but in healing, I found a new path, one filled with purpose, flavour, and renewed passion.
This isn’t just a story about diets—it’s about understanding how external influences and personal experiences shape our relationship with food. It’s time to shift the focus from restriction and control to nourishment and self-compassion. Because, in the end, it’s not about going on a diet; it’s about building a healthier, kinder relationship with food—and with yourself.
Boost your health with my dynamic cooking workshops, designed to help you treat your body like a finely-tuned machine. Just as a car engine runs smoothly with the right fuel, your body thrives when nourished with wholesome, balanced meals. I want to help you move away from boring ready made meals, food that isn’t appetising and doesn’t motivate you to continue on your new lifestyle choice, I want to fire your passion about making lifestyle changes that will help you value your self again, be kinder to your body and change your psychology about foods and diet.
In these hands-on classes, you’ll learn the art of batch cooking, fakeaway cooking instead of ringing your local takeaway, taking the stress out of daily meal decisions. Discover how simple and cost-effective it is to prepare dishes that are not only nutritious, they get you excited about food, saving you time and keep you energised.
Join me to transform your approach to food, fuel your body efficiently, and enjoy meals that support a longer, healthier lifestyle Call Jo 07877213412 to book a class