Food Is Not Medicine

Hippocrates said Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food – which is a guiding principle for many nutrition professionals. However, he also said, “First, do no harm.” Paradoxically, medicalizing food is harmful.

How Does Food Become Medicalized?

We live in a culture of food fear that drives us to overanalyze food and choose food based on rigid beliefs about what foods will harm and what foods will heal. These are essential considerations, but many people take them to the extreme.

A client proudly told me about making a salad with several “superfoods.” I acknowledged her tremendous effort and then asked how it tasted. She seemed shocked—like she had not thought of it from that perspective. Then she laughed and said, “Not that good.” No one in the family would eat it, and she had to choke it down for a few days. The salad nourished her body but not her spirit.

Food Is a Source of Joy

Food connects us with our cultures and our family traditions. Ideally, we can look forward to and enjoy tasty meals and snacks throughout the day.

Food sensitivity clients often need help to rebuild their relationship with food because food has become a source of stress rather than pleasure.