Does Our Relationship With Food Affect Our Faith?

Let's face it. Over the last few years, stress has been a constant companion. In times of global crises, climate challenges, and societal tension, many of us have turned to food for comfort. Snacking has become a common coping mechanism. While there's nothing inherently wrong with this, it's essential to consider not just what we eat, but how our eating habits affect us.

Nicole Mesita, a dietician from San Francisco, is passionate about helping people find peace with their bodies through the unconditional love of Jesus. She shares her thoughts on why she opposes dieting, proposes healthier alternatives, and emphasizes being mindful of others struggling with food issues.

Understanding the Dangers of Dieting

Eating disorders are one of the deadliest mental illnesses, second only to narcotic use. Many people don't realize that dieting is the number one cause of eating disorders. Alarmingly, diets often start at a young age and rarely succeed in the long term—95 to 98 percent fail, leading to weight regain and potential metabolic issues.

Dieting can derail someone's life, causing them to obsess over their body and food. Mesita points out, “95 percent of their day is spent thinking about food and their body, which is not biblical. Philippians instructs us to think about praiseworthy things, not to obsess over our bodies.”

Promoting Mindful Eating

As a dietician, Mesita advocates for mindful or intuitive eating. “God gave us hunger and fullness signals that we had as babies,” she explains. “I teach people to return to those signals—eating when hungry and stopping when full. God provides a variety of foods that we crave, and it’s okay to honor those cravings. Sometimes you’ll want a salad, other times a burger.”

Her goal is to help people foster a healthier relationship with food and their bodies, reconnecting with their natural hunger cues disrupted by diet culture.

Spiritual Connections to Healthy Eating

There’s a misconception that physical health looks one specific way. Mesita challenges this, saying, “God created us with different body sizes. Idolizing a certain body type isn’t spiritual. Health can be achieved at any size, freeing us to focus on our spiritual health, which is more important.”

Research supports this view, showing spiritual health correlates with overall well-being, including lower blood pressure and stress. However, society often equates health with thinness, a belief not supported by research.

Handling Stress-Related Eating

The pandemic and other stressors have led many to develop unhealthy eating or drinking habits. Mesita advises, “Get curious about your eating patterns without judgment. Often, our eating reflects our mental health and stress levels.”

Unlearning unhealthy ideas about eating takes time, but awareness is the first step. The Church, too, must recognize its role in this issue. Comments about diets or jokes about gluttony can make people with larger bodies feel excluded.

Creating an Inclusive Environment

Awareness of weight discrimination is crucial. The stigma against larger bodies increases cortisol, a stress hormone that ironically can lead to weight gain. Mesita emphasizes, “We need to create supportive environments, both in our communities and churches, where everyone feels accepted.”

By being mindful of our eating habits and sensitive to others' struggles, we can foster healthier relationships with food and bodies, grounded in faith and compassion.

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