We all eat food, but what does food actually mean to us?

We often talk about food as though its only purpose is nutrition: calories, protein, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. But food is so much more than that.

Food can be fuel, pleasure, comfort, connection, culture, celebration, memory, love, routine, reward, control, rebellion, escape, self-care—and sometimes even a source of anxiety and fear.

In this episode, we take a step back and ask a deceptively simple question:

What is food?

We explore the many different roles food can play in our lives and why understanding those roles can help us develop a more flexible and compassionate relationship with eating.

We'll also explore an important question:

What happens when we believe food is only supposed to serve one purpose?

Because food can be nutritious and delicious.

It can be fuel and pleasure.

It can nourish the body and connect us to other people.

And sometimes, we can eat something simply because we really, really enjoy it.

Perhaps a healthy relationship with food isn't about finding the one "correct" way to think about eating.

Perhaps it's about being able to recognise the many roles food can play—and having enough flexibility to navigate them without food taking over your life.

The Smaller Stomach, Bigger Life Community is a supportive space for people navigating life after bariatric surgery or while taking GLP-1 medications. Inside, we explore the emotional, behavioural, and psychological side of weight loss — the parts that matter long after the scale changes.

Join the community here: https://www.skool.com/bariatric-success/about

Kyla Holley is a Therapist and the Director of The Australian Centre for Eating Behaviour

www.acfeb.com

Join our comprehensive 6 week Change your Relationship with Food online course

Join me here

Need the Change your Relationship with Food Journal and Workbook by Kyla Holley?

Then click here Buy from Amazon

In this episode, Kyla Holley returns after a break to explore the powerful stories we tell ourselves—about our bodies, intelligence, relationships and worth—and how those narratives shape behaviour and identity.

She gives practical steps to change these stories: write and name them, externalize thoughts, spot confirmation bias, and reframe negatives into more balanced, believable beliefs to support lasting change on a weight-loss or recovery journey.

The Smaller Stomach, Bigger Life Community is a supportive space for people navigating life after bariatric surgery or while taking GLP-1 medications. Inside, we explore the emotional, behavioural, and psychological side of weight loss — the parts that matter long after the scale changes.

Join the community here: https://www.skool.com/bariatric-success/about

Kyla Holley is a Therapist and the Director of The Australian Centre for Eating Behaviour

www.acfeb.com

Join our comprehensive 6 week Change your Relationship with Food online course

Join me here

Need the Change your Relationship with Food Journal and Workbook by Kyla Holley?

Then click here Buy from Amazon

One of the biggest emotional decisions before bariatric surgery has nothing to do with food, vitamins, or recovery…

It’s deciding who — if anyone — you want to tell.

In this episode, we explore the very real pros and cons of sharing your bariatric surgery journey with friends, family, coworkers, and social circles. From fear of judgment to the desire for support, this conversation dives into the emotional complexity behind disclosure, privacy, boundaries, and vulnerability.

Whether you’re completely open about your surgery or planning to keep it private, this episode will help you make a decision that feels aligned with your wellbeing — not other people’s expectations.

The Smaller Stomach, Bigger Life Community is a supportive space for people navigating life after bariatric surgery or while taking GLP-1 medications. Inside, we explore the emotional, behavioural, and psychological side of weight loss — the parts that matter long after the scale changes.

Join the community here: https://www.skool.com/bariatric-success/about

Kyla Holley is a Therapist and the Director of The Australian Centre for Eating Behaviour

www.acfeb.com

Join our comprehensive 6 week Change your Relationship with Food online course

Join me here

Need the Change your Relationship with Food Journal and Workbook by Kyla Holley?

Then click here Buy from Amazon