Your Relationship With Food Is Really a Relationship With Yourself | Lee Cotton - EP 841

What if the way you eat has less to do with food than with how you feel about yourself?

For registered dietitian and author Lee Cotton, the path to understanding nutrition began with her own struggles with food and body image. In this conversation, she shares how those experiences shaped her work helping people develop healthier, more compassionate relationships with food—and why nourishment begins with recognizing that we matter.

On Episode 841 of Passion Struck, John R. Miles and Lee explore the emotional stories, childhood messages, cultural pressures, and personal experiences that influence how we eat. They discuss the connection between food and self-worth, the impact of trauma and stress on eating behaviors, and why body image challenges can become especially complicated during perimenopause and menopause.

Lee also explains the importance of mindful eating, realistic nutrition goals, listening to the body's signals, and resisting the idea that one diet or eating pattern works for everyone. Drawing on her work with people experiencing disordered eating and eating disorders, she emphasizes the importance of professional support, individualized guidance, and approaching food without unnecessary fear or shame.

Check out the full show notes.

In This Episode, You'll Discover

• Why our relationship with food is often a reflection of our relationship with ourselves.
• How childhood food rules and family messages can shape eating behaviors well into adulthood.
• The connection between self-worth, body image, and the desire to control food.
• How stress, trauma, and difficult life experiences can influence eating patterns.
• Why mindful eating starts with pausing, listening, and recognizing your body's signals.
• How realistic nutrition goals and small changes can build sustainable momentum.
• Why perimenopause and menopause can bring new challenges around body image, nourishment, and control.
• Why the most important affirmation may be: You are worthy of nourishment.

At the heart of the conversation is a powerful reminder: nourishment is about more than fueling the body. It expresses care, and everyone deserves it. As Lee puts it: You are worthy of nourishment.

Grab a copy of A Nourishing Perspective.

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