Words Matter

Words Matter:

How the Language We Use Around Food Shapes What We Believe

Cheat days. Being "good". Feeling "naughty". It's time we talked about the words we use - and what they’re really saying.

We talk about food all the time. What we’re eating, what we’re not. What we’re cutting out, craving, making up for, giving in to.

And often, we don’t even notice the language we’re using.
“I was so bad last night.”
“I’ve been really good this week.”
“I deserve this.”
“It’s a cheat day.”

Harmless? Maybe. But also - maybe not.

Because every time we label a food as “bad” or a choice as “naughty,” we’re not just describing what we ate. We’re passing quiet judgement on ourselves. Framing food in moral terms turns eating into a reflection of our character. And over time, those throwaway comments start to sound a lot like truth.

Food is not a moral issue

Let’s be clear: food does not have a moral value. It is not good or bad. It is not sinful or saintly. It is just food - fuel, culture, pleasure, nourishment, comfort, convenience, celebration. Sometimes all in one meal.

But when we assign it moral weight, we create a narrative where eating something “bad” makes us bad. Where needing help to manage our health becomes a sign of failure. Where enjoying food becomes something to confess.

This isn’t just semantics - it’s shame, dressed up as self-discipline.

Language shapes belief. Belief shapes behaviour.

Think of the words you use when you talk about food. Are you allowed to have pudding? Are you making up for a takeaway? Have you earned your meal?

These patterns aren’t accidental - they’ve been shaped by years of messaging. From diet ads to family dinners, we’ve been taught that eating should come with rules. And if we break them, guilt is the price.