Did you know there are four levels of eating? Each level reflects an awareness of a person’s overall way of eating. We often don’t put much thought into our eating; but if we take the time to evaluate ourselves, we can become more responsible for our own health. Let’s look at these levels.
Level One: Eating for Pleasure
I think eating should be pleasurable, but it does matter what we eat. Level one eating usually includes comfort foods that we often received as rewards when we were children to encourage positive behavior or to keep us quiet; foods such as ice cream, cookies, candy, sodas, and etc. Most of these foods are highly refined and made from flours and sugar. Excessive coffee, alcohol, and chocolate are also considered level one eating. We may go to this level to adapt to pain, tension, and stress.
Level Two: Eating for Energy
We can find ourselves eating to build up our energy; this is often driven by blood sugar regulation. We want something that will pick us up quickly; choosing things like pizza, burgers, burritos (yes – fast foods), pasta, and chips. Fruits, vegetables, and quality animal products are pretty limited at this level. Without these health-promoting foods in our diet, we can be left with nutritional deficiencies. Many teens and young adults will be in level two.
Level Three: Eating for Recovery
After eating in levels one and two, we may begin to feel some effects of these choices, especially as we hit our late 20’s and beyond. Our body composition may start to show the effects of level one and two; examples include weight gain, low energy, and maybe even some health challenges have developed. We then go on a “diet” of some sort which often promises quick weight loss. Unfortunately, these diets can be restricting and results are often short lived. We get bored with our food options or frustrated that we are not getting the results we had hoped for. With the frustration, we often will go back to level one or two for a time and then back to level three. It can be a vicious cycle. How many can relate to this?
Level Four: Eating for Health
This is the level that I believe everyone can benefit from. It can be similar to level three but is tailored to each person. Each of us is an individual with a unique body, health history, and health objectives. There is not one way of eating that is right for everyone. Also, as we age our health needs change, sorry to say!! Eating for health is a process of learning about optimum nutrition for you, the healing effects of foods for you, and self-awareness concerning your food choices and eating behaviors. At this level, we can choose a variety of healthy, quality foods, along with learning to discern that our dietary needs can and will change; learning to exercise moderation and begin to prioritize the proper preparation of our food.
By Eating for Health, you are investing in yourself; it is a wise and loving act that can have huge results in your health. The challenge can be getting to this level: Where to start? How do I properly prepare food? Where do I find quality food? All these are great questions and I am sure there can be many more. This is one of the reasons I offer a FREE 20-minute phone consultation; it can be your first step to better health. Fill out the form below if you would like to take advantage of this free offer.
I have been on all four levels of eating at one time or another in my life, but 90 – 95% of the time I am on level four, Eating for Health. No, I don’t eat 100% health promoting, I do the best I can and hope that my body can handle those few times I may not choose Eating for Health. What levels of eating have you been on?
Be Blessed and Be a Blessing,
Heather
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Source: Four Levels of Eating was developed by Dr. Ed Bauman through his observations from many years of clinical practice. This information is referenced from Foundations of Nutrition, (2015) pg 11-12. By Ed Bauman, M.Ed, Ph.D. and Jodi Friedlander, N.C.
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Interesting thoughts on eating. My recent concern is with sugar intake. Trying to be more mindful about eating sugar. Tough to do when I have a sweet tooth and love chocolate!
Patsy, I totally understand. I will often eat one organic Medjool date or dried fig (Costco has great prices on these). This can help with the sugar cravings and since it is a whole food can provide nutrients. Sometimes keeping myself to one is the greatest challenge!