Rediscovering the Joy of Cooking as an Intuitive Eater
Have you ever found yourself skimming through a cookbook, fantasizing about the forbidden foods within? Maybe you feel a pang of guilt just thinking about that rich chocolate cake or the buttery croissants you see on glossy pages. If so, you're not alone. I’ve experienced a mixture of tension, anger, envy, and jealousy (we’ll get to that one later) between wanting to bake and enjoy all the food and feeling like I shouldn't because of calories, fat, sugar, carbs, blah, blah, blah. But what if I told you there’s a different way to look at cookbooks that transforms guilt into excitement and curiosity? Read on!
The Cookbook Dilemma
In the beginning, I never thought much about cookbooks. But once I started the biggest restrictive diet of my dieting history, I started buying and reading cookbooks like novels, dreaming of all the foods, and eating vicariously through the pages. They were my guilty pleasure, a secret indulgence. I would flip through them, drooling over the decadent desserts and rich, savory dishes. But instead of feeling inspired, I would dream about how delicious the food would taste, adding it to my forbidden list while simultaneously being jealous of those who were actually making and eating those delectable treats. I would get mad at myself, asking “Why can’t I eat that food? Why do I always have to be on a diet? I just want to be skinny! This isn’t fair!”. Like many, I had been caught in the cycle of restrictive dieting, where food was either “good” or “bad,” and indulging in the bad foods felt like a failure. Knowing that if I ate the bad food, I would binge and have to start over - a new Day 1 every time. This mindset turned cookbooks into a source of both joy and shame, a bittersweet reminder of what I thought I couldn’t have.
A New Perspective on Cookbooks
Everything changed when I started viewing food differently. Instead of categorizing foods as good or bad, I began to see them as opportunities for new experiences and nourishment. This shift in perspective turned my cookbook exploration into an exciting adventure rather than a guilt trip. Now, when I pick up a cookbook, I see potential. The vibrant pictures and detailed recipes are no longer off-limits fantasies but invitations to create, taste, and enjoy. I also discovered that the cookbooks that most inspired me were the ones with the brightest and freshest foods, not the sweet treats on my forbidden list. This was not because I thought I couldn’t have them, but because the lure of the forbidden treat was gone. With the restriction removed, my food freedom was available to me and the foods that I craved were those that had less sugar, more whole grains, and vibrant vegetables. Quelle surprise!
Embracing Culinary Curiosity
Here’s how you can start to transform your relationship with cookbooks and food:
Mindful Reading
Shift your focus from what you “shouldn’t” eat to what genuinely excites you. Pay attention to ingredients and techniques that intrigue you. Let curiosity and inspiration guide your choices, opening up a world of culinary possibilities.
Experimentation Over Perfection
Cooking is all about experimentation. It’s perfectly fine if a recipe doesn’t turn out as expected. The joy lies in the process of trying and learning. Each attempt brings you closer to discovering what you truly enjoy.
Personal Rituals
Create personal rituals around your cooking and eating routines. Whether it’s lighting a candle before you start cooking, playing your favorite music, or setting a beautifully arranged table, these small rituals can enhance your culinary experience. They add a layer of intentionality and enjoyment, transforming everyday meals into special moments that celebrate both the food and the care you put into preparing it.
Nourishment and Pleasure
Remember that food is meant to nourish both body and soul. Select recipes that make you feel good not just physically, but emotionally as well. Savor the textures, colors, and aromas as much as the taste, finding pleasure in every aspect of your meal.
Shared Experiences
Make cooking a social activity by inviting friends or family into the kitchen. Share your culinary creations and the joy of discovering new dishes together. This shared experience can deepen your connection with both food and loved ones, making each meal a memorable event.
Turning Guilt into Joy
One of my favorite moments was when I decided to tackle a recipe for homemade pita. In the past, bread was something I’d avoided (read about my journey back to bread here), but now it was a challenge I was excited to take on. The process of making the dough, waiting for it to rise, and finally smelling it baking in the oven was incredibly rewarding. And when I took that first bite, it was pure joy – not just because it tasted amazing, but because I had allowed myself to enjoy it without guilt. I was literally dancing around my kitchen!
Cookbooks have become a source of inspiration and excitement rather than guilt and restriction. They represent a world of culinary possibilities, each page an invitation to discover something new and delicious. By shifting our mindset from restriction to exploration, we can rediscover the simple pleasures of cooking and eating.
Next time you open a cookbook, let yourself dream – not about what you can’t have, but about what you can create. Embrace the joy of cooking, honor your hunger, make peace with food, and let your kitchen become a place of adventure and delight.