An ode to your status as an unapologetic foodie

Women live in a very judgmental world. We are criticized by others and ourselves for the way we look, the way we behave, the way we speak—sometimes even the way we eat. There are countless women out there who are constantly self-conscious about the way others perceive them while they eat out in public. These women are crippled by the fear that they will be judged by strangers for what they’ve chosen to eat and how they look while they’re eating it.

Personally, I’ve never been shy about my love of food. I was raised in a foodie household, where eating was and is considered an art form. Since I’m a female living in an overly critical and appearance-obsessed society, I’ve naturally experienced the occasional pang of guilt when it comes to the quantity and quality of what I eat, but I do my best to not let such guilt prevent me from living my truest foodie life. In an effort to spread the gospel of food positivity, I thought I’d share a couple of practices I’ve utilized over the years to maintain my status as an unapologetic foodie.

Enjoy things in moderation, but don’t deprive yourself

I know, this is the thing that everyone says when talking about food, but it really works. If you don’t usually order takeout or go out to eat every night, when you do, try not to totally restrict yourself from eating something slightly more indulgent. Every now and then, it’s okay to pig out on a Dominos pizza (because their size small pizzas are meant to be “personal sized,” right?) or a plate of pad kee mow from your favorite Thai restaurant, because they’re foods that you love, and in completely cutting them out of your life isn’t the most effective way to go. Yes, having a balanced diet is all well and good, but where’s the fun in eating nothing but quinoa and kale for the rest of your life?

Treat yo’ self on occasion.

Drink lots of water

Not only will you feel better overall, but it’ll also keep you fuller for longer. If you’re someone who’s self-conscious about the quantity of food you’re eating rather than how you look while you’re eating or the quality of the food you’re eating, this is something that can definitely help. If you drink a glass of water when you’re tempted to eat a snack, you might find that the water will hold you over until your next meal, and then you’ll be able to enjoy the meal a little bit more as a result.

Be yourself

Treat eating like any other situation where this mantra may run through your head—unleash the real foodie in you, and go to town on that plate of nachos!

I once had a conversation while having dinner with a male friend that began with him saying, “If this was a first date, I would not be eating this.” (He was eating ribs, and I was eating a bowl of gumbo.) I have to respectfully disagree with his stance—if you’re out on a date with a guy, there should be a mutual display of each person’s authentic eating habits right off the bat. Screw eating a salad to seem ladylike in front of a hunky man (unless you genuinely like salad—in that case, stuff your face with that green-ass Romaine and baby spinach, girl!), pass over the bacon cheeseburger and some fries, please!

Life is entirely too short to get worked up over people seeing you eat. As humans, we’ve been given the wonderful gift of being able to create and enjoy an infinite number of incredible food combinations, so why waste that gift? Don’t be afraid to pull an ugly face while trying to fit your mouth around a sandwich—the end result will usually be worth it, and your forthrightness in your approach to eating will allow the people around you to be able to relax into the meal along with you. Achieving total comfortability around others while eating can be tough, but working towards doing so and embracing your inner foodie will make eating a much more enjoyable, carefree experience, and that, in focusing less on how people may be judging you while you eat, you’ll find yourself making a lot more wonderful memories while out for meals with the people you love.