*This is a collaborative post.
We’ve all tried a diet at some point. Even those who swear they’d never diet—and love food—may have cut back before a holiday or after a spell of overindulgence. When you follow a strict plan or restrict calories, food can stop feeling enjoyable. Cooking can become a chore, eating out can feel stressful, and repeating the same meals leads to boredom. Eating should be social, relaxing and adventurous; when it isn’t, it can take a toll on mood and wellbeing. Some people feel low or irritable when they can’t enjoy favourite foods. Appetite-suppressing medications can help some, but they’re not an option for everyone.
For many the situation is harder: they must follow a restricted diet for medical reasons. Conditions like coeliac disease or food intolerances force people to avoid specific ingredients. If you’ve recently been advised to limit foods for health reasons, you may be struggling to enjoy meals the way you used to. Below are practical tips to help you rediscover pleasure in food while sticking to a medically restricted diet.
