The Joy Nutrient: Why It's Essential for a Healthy Life
When we think about what makes a balanced or healthy diet, we usually focus on aspects like protein, fibre, vitamins, and minerals. But there’s one crucial nutrient that often gets left out of the conversation - joy!
If food becomes just about hitting numbers, following rules, or eating what you think you “should,” it’s easy to lose sight of what really matters. Food isn’t just fuel (although that is also a very important role of food) - it’s comfort, connection, and one of life’s simplest pleasures. The way you feel about what you eat matters just as much as what’s actually on your plate.
Why joy in eating should be a non-negotiable
1. It makes healthy eating feel easy
If your approach to food feels like a chore, it’s only a matter of time before you start resenting it. When meals are enjoyable, flavourful, and flexible, healthy eating stops being something you “have to do” and becomes something you want to do. That’s what makes it sustainable.
2. It helps you feel more in control around food
Have you ever tried to be “good” with food all week, only to end up feeling out of control on the weekend? That’s what happens when joy is missing from your everyday eating. When you allow all foods to have a place, there’s no more “on track” or “off track” - rather just everyday eating.
3. Joy enhances digestion & energy levels
Food isn’t just about what you eat, it’s about how you eat. When you enjoy your meals without stress or guilt, your body is in a more relaxed state, which actually helps digestion and nutrient absorption. On the other hand, eating while feeling anxious or restricted can leave you bloated, sluggish, or unsatisfied - no matter how “healthy” the meal is.
4. It helps break the all-or-nothing mentality
Many people struggle with the cycle of “being good” (eating perfectly) and then “falling off track” (eating foods they think they shouldn’t). But when joy is part of the picture, there’s no “good” or “bad” food - just food that nourishes in different ways, sometimes physically and other times emotionally. Allowing yourself to enjoy all foods in a balanced way helps remove guilt and promotes a more intuitive way of eating.
5. Food is one of life’s biggest joys - Why take that away?
Think about some of your favourite memories - chances are, food was part of them. The dinner with friends where you laughed until your stomach hurt. The summer road trip with ice cream stops along the way. The simple pleasure of a warm, cozy meal on a cold night.
When you stop seeing food as something to control and start seeing it as something to enjoy, everything shifts.
How to add more joy to your eating habits
Ditch the food guilt – No single meal or snack defines your health. Let yourself enjoy food without overthinking it.
Make meals an experience – Put your phone down, sit at the table, and actually taste your food.
Eat what you actually like – Find the balance between foods that make your body feel good and foods that make your soul happy.
Make the most of spontaneous moments – Saying yes to an impromptu treat or dinner out with friends can be just as valuable for your health as a perfectly planned meal.
Get creative with cooking – Try new recipes, play with flavours, and make meals that genuinely excite you.
Food should feel simple, enjoyable, and stress-free. When you bring more joy to your eating habits, you naturally build a healthier, more balanced relationship with food—one that lasts.