Why “Should” Thinking Might Be Sabotaging Your Progress

I hear this a lot:  “I don’t want to have to think about food all the time.”

But here’s what I’ve noticed—most of us aren’t tired of paying attention to food choices.

What’s really exhausting is constantly thinking about what we should or shouldn’t eat.

“Should” thinking is a sneaky critic. It feels like an obligation, something disempowering and restrictive. “I should eat this, not that,” “I shouldn’t have had that dessert.”

Sure, guilt and pressure might push us to make certain choices for a while, but they don’t genuinely inspire us. More often, they lead to a cycle of struggle and frustration.

Try this Simple, Powerful Shift

One small change can make all the difference. Shifting from should to choose is like flipping a switch.

Instead of saying, “I shouldn’t have this,” try, “I choose this because it makes me feel good and leads me toward my goals.”

Replacing should with I choose to or I want to puts you in control, turning food choices into something positive, not something to feel guilty over.

Bring Purpose into Your Choices

Here’s another little hack … Before you eat, ask yourself, “Why do I want this?” If it’s something you truly enjoy, maybe the best choice for you is to have it—fully savoring each bite, enjoying it mindfully.

But if it’s because you’re stressed or tired, it might help to pause and find a better way to handle those feelings. This way, your choices reflect what truly serves you, helping you move closer to the goals you care about.

So here’s to letting go of ‘should’ and freeing yourself to choose choices that genuinely feel best for you!