The first time I remember truly “overthinking food” was when I became a parent. Even as a dietitian trained to separate fact from fear, I felt conflicted. What type of formula is best? Organic or conventional? Homemade or store-bought? And don’t get me started on the snack offerings from one of the daycares my boys attended. No matter how much I knew, I still felt unsettled by what my kids ate—or guilty about what I served them myself.
Looking back, I have A LOT of compassion for that new mom. Parenthood is hard, and when you're shaping a child’s relationship with food, every decision can feel enormous.
I won’t pretend I’m entirely free from “overthinking” about food today, but I’ve found a more grounded perspective. Certain seasons of life make us more vulnerable —whether it’s becoming a parent, managing a health diagnosis, or teens consuming too much social media. We’re bombarded with messages about what’s “right” and “wrong” when it comes to food. Some of it matters, like food safety (don’t drink raw milk). But so much of it isn’t life-saving; it’s just stress-inducing.
Can You Trust That Nutrition Influencer?
When the FDA banned red dye, the reactions on Instagram were telling. Some accounts responded with judgment—“What took them so long?!”—while others took a more measured approach, explaining the history of food dyes and why there was no need to panic and toss every red Skittle (the best kind) out in a fury. That latter perspective felt more grounded, especially as my kids sipped slushies (slooshis?) from Wally’s, packed with every food dye imaginable, as their post-ski practice “recovery drink.” #iblamedad, but he takes them skiing all day on Saturday, so I keep my mouth shut.
