From Food Rules to Food Freedom: Laurie’s Journey to Becoming a Joy-Filled Eater

Have you ever felt like no matter how hard you try, your relationship with food is stuck on repeat? You swear off the donuts (again), only to find yourself elbow-deep in a bag of Cheetos after a stressful day. 🙋‍♀️ Oy vey!

If that sounds familiar, you are not alone. In fact, today I want to share a powerful story from one of my amazing clients, Laurie, whose journey from restriction and guilt into joy-filled, Christ-centered eating will inspire you to see that yes, food freedom is possible—even for you.

Laurie’s testimony reminds us that healing doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a journey, not a sprint. But it’s a journey worth taking, because it leads to more than just peace with food. It leads to a deeper, richer walk with Jesus. ✝️

Laurie’s Story: “I Didn’t Even Realize Food Had Become an Idol”

When Laurie first reached out for support, she was caught in a cycle so many of us know all too well:

• Labeling foods as forbidden (hello Cheetos and donuts 🍩🙋‍♀️)
  
  
• Bingeing on the very foods she told herself she “couldn’t” have
  
  
• Feeling guilty, ashamed, and stuck in an exhausting pattern
  
  

Sound familiar?

Laurie shared that she was initially confronted by her sister during a family vacation when she noticed Laurie’s eating habits seemed out of control. That conversation planted a seed. Laurie realized she didn’t want to keep living with food as her master. She wanted something more.

“I wasn’t enjoying food. I thought I was, but I had made food bigger—kind of an idol. God didn’t design it to be that way.”

✨ Mic drop.

How many of us can relate to putting food—or our body image—on the throne where only God belongs?

Healing Takes Time (And That’s Okay!)

One of the biggest myths about food freedom is that it’s a quick fix. Diet culture sells us on “30 days to flat abs” or “lose 10 pounds fast!” but the reality of recovery? It’s often slower. And that’s not a bad thing.

Laurie thought her healing might take a year. Instead, God stretched the process over three. And in those years, He not only transformed her relationship with food but also deepened her relationship with Him.

“Even when I was thinner, what I’ve gained with the Lord is worth so much more. I wouldn’t trade this journey for anything.”

🙌 YES, sister! This is what I want every woman reading this to know: the number on the scale pales in comparison to the richness of walking in freedom with Christ.

Why Group Support Was a Game-Changer

After working one-on-one for a while, Laurie joined my signature program The Joy-Filled Eater Live. And let me tell you, the transformation that happens in a Christ-centered community is insane! 🔥

Laurie put it best:

“The dynamics in the group—you can’t compare it to anything else. God made us for relationship. Sharing, supporting, encouraging—it was like gold. And with the Holy Spirit leading the process, everything worked together for good.”

She saw how powerful it was to be in a room (okay, a Zoom room 😉) with women at different stages of the journey. It reminded her that healing isn’t linear and that encouragement flows both ways.

Food Is for Nourishment—Not Punishment

One of Laurie’s lightbulb moments came from the program’s modules on hunger, fullness, and satisfaction.

Like so many women, she had forgotten the true purpose of food. She wasn’t eating to fuel her body. She was eating to cope, distract, or fill a void.

But learning to recognize hunger cues, respect fullness, and—most importantly—eat with joy changed everything.

“I realized food is to nourish. It’s not about what I can and can’t eat. Really, I can eat everything except spoiled food or what I’m allergic to!”

👏 Can we give her a round of applause for that mic-drop truth?

This is exactly why I teach women that restriction doesn’t work. When we stop labeling food as “good” or “bad,” we open the door to freedom and joy.

Identity Shift: From Overeater to Joy-Filled Eater

Perhaps Laurie’s biggest breakthrough came when she realized that overeating no longer defined her.

For years, she identified as “the overeater.” And that identity was like a weight chained to her ankle, pulling her back into old patterns.

But through the program—and with the Holy Spirit’s guidance—she discovered a new truth:

“I’m not an overeater anymore. That’s not who I am. I’m a joy-filled eater.”

💡 Identity is everything. When you start to see yourself the way God sees you—as His chosen, beloved daughter—everything changes.

Grieving Old Habits to Make Space for New Freedom

Here’s the part that gets real, real fast: letting go of old habits isn’t easy. Laurie shared that she had to grieve the loss of her old ways of eating.

Why? Because those coping mechanisms once served a purpose. They helped her survive. But they weren’t helping her thrive.

“Overeating served me for a while, but it wasn’t healthy. God was knocking on my door saying, ‘Taste and see how good I am.’”

Ladies—sometimes the bravest thing you can do is say goodbye to the old you so that God can usher you into the new.

 

One of my favorite moments from Laurie’s story was when she said this:

“I won’t have Brittany forever. But I’ll have the Holy Spirit forever.”

👀 Well, if that’s not the truth!

My role as a dietitian and coach is to walk alongside women in their healing journey. But ultimately, the lasting transformation comes when you let the Holy Spirit lead. He is the one who whispers, “That’s enough,” or “This food will fuel you well,” or “You don’t need to measure your worth by a scale.”

What Laurie Wants YOU to Know

If you’re reading this and wondering, Okay Brittany, but can this really happen for me? Laurie’s answer is a resounding YES.

“Jump in. Don’t hesitate. Get help—and include God in the process. It will take longer than you thought, but it is possible. God didn’t make us to struggle. We are overcomers in Him.”

Friend, don’t let the enemy convince you this is too hard or that you’ll never change. Recovery IS possible. Food freedom IS possible. And Jesus wants to walk with you every step of the way.

3 Takeaways from Laurie’s Testimony

1. Healing isn’t fast—but it’s worth it. God uses the process to draw us closer to Him.
   
   

2. Community matters. Food freedom becomes a whole lot easier when you’re surrounded by sisters who “get it.”
   
   

3. Your identity is in Christ—not in food. You are not “the overeater.” You are a joy-filled, Spirit-led eater.
   
   

Ready to Start Your Own Food Freedom Journey?

If Laurie’s story has your heart beating a little faster (in a good way 😉), don’t ignore that nudge. That’s the Holy Spirit inviting you into freedom.

👉 Join the waitlist for The Joy-Filled Eater Live at www.brittanybraswellrd.com/course.

Doors reopen soon, and I don’t want you to miss the chance to step into a community that will change the way you see food, your body, and your faith.

And hey, if you’re not quite ready for the group but want to take a first step, make sure you:

• 🎧 Subscribe to the Faith-Filled Food Freedom podcast
  
  
• 📲 Join our free Food Freedom and Body Image Support for Christian Women Facebook community
  
  

Final Encouragement

Friend, if you take nothing else from Laurie’s story, take this: You don’t have to stay stuck. Jesus already purchased your freedom. You just get to step into it.

As Philippians 1:6 reminds us: “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

Your story may not look exactly like Laurie’s. Your journey may take more time (or less!). But healing is possible. Freedom is possible. And joy is waiting for you at the table.

So pull up a chair. Let’s eat with joy. 🍴

 

With grace & food freedom,

Brittany Braswell, MS, RDN, LD

Registered Dietitian & Christian Food Freedom Coach