Do you believe eating in moderation?

by Ana | November 23, 2025 | Healthy Eating, Psychology, Stress Management | Comments are off for this post.

People often say they “don’t believe in moderation,” but it’s usually not about moderation itself—it’s about what they associate with it. Here are the most common reasons:

1. They’ve only known extremes

Many people grow up with patterns like:

  • strict dieting vs. bingeing
  • all-or-nothing exercise
  • “good” days vs. “bad” days

If your history is full of extremes, “moderation” feels unfamiliar or even impossible.

2. Moderation feels vague

“Moderation” isn’t a clear rule.
It doesn’t tell you:

  • how much
  • how often
  • when to stop

For people who rely on rules to feel safe (especially if they’ve struggled with eating or control), moderation can feel too ambiguous.

3. It can feel like giving up control

Some people fear that without strict limits:

  • they’ll eat “too much”
  • they’ll lose control
  • something bad will happen

So “moderation” feels risky, even though it’s healthier long-term.

4. Diet culture teaches that discipline = virtue

We live in a culture that glorifies:

  • restriction
  • self-denial
  • “willpower”
  • pushing past limits

Moderation can feel like not trying hard enough, even though that’s untrue.

5. They think moderation won’t lead to results

Many people believe:

  • “If I’m not strict, it won’t work”
  • “Moderation is too slow”

This is especially common when someone has tied food or exercise to body image or weight goals.

6. They’ve never experienced true emotional regulation

For some, eating or exercising has acted as:

  • coping
  • distraction
  • control
  • emotional relief

Moderation isn’t just about behavior—it requires emotional tools they may not yet have.

7. For people with ED tendencies, moderation can feel unsafe

EDs thrive on:

  • rules
  • certainty
  • extremes
  • clear boundaries

Moderation can feel threatening because it requires listening to your body, not overriding it.

8. It’s hard to trust your body when you’ve been taught not to

If someone doesn’t trust their hunger, fullness, or impulses, moderation seems like a setup for failure.

9. People misunderstand moderation

Some think it means:

  • never indulging
  • always being perfect
  • never overeating
  • never enjoying food freely

But real moderation includes flexibility, satisfaction, and imperfection.