By Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RD and Rayonna Hills BS
mail@floridanewsline.com
Have you ever heard of diet culture? The term diet culture is a social exception that tells us how we are expected to eat, look, and that only when our bodies look a certain way, we are accepted. It is a system of beliefs and rules that promote weight-loss at any cost to achieve the “desired” appearance, which can impact all genders and all aged individuals from adolescents to older adults. During this month, May 6 is recognized as “National No Diet Day.”
Examples of diet culture are:
- Categorizing calories and labeling foods as “good or bad”
- Commenting on/criticizing another persons’ weight (children and adults)
- Diets that cut out food groups (e.g., fruits, whole grains)
- Influencers who glorify “health” by adopting unhealthy eating behaviors
Diet culture can be very dangerous, not only emotionally, but also physically. It often fuels guilt and shame around eating, encourages body discrimination, and can lead to disordered eating habits and in some cases, eating disorders such as bulimia, binge eating, anorexia, or many others.
In order to avoid diet culture, we can:
- Removing labels such as “good or bad” when it comes to foods. All foods can be good and enjoyed in moderation; let’s focus on food positivity over food negativity.
- Focusing on your overall diet and acknowledging foods that make you feel good, recognizing that all foods provide value and benefit to our bodies, some more than others.
- Try to avoid being exposed to diet culture (this is really hard!), such as unfollowing those on social media who promote strict diets/restrictions/eliminations or ending a conversation with someone who may be talking about it
- Be mindful of how you speak about foods and others in terms of their looks; be kind and seek to be a supportive friend or family member to those who feel diet pressures.
- Think more about intuitive eating. Visit www.intuitiveeating.org/10-principles-of-intuitive-eating/ to learn more.
If you are ever questioning food choices or interested in changing your diet, consult a registered dietitian and they will be able to work through this with you. You can find a nutrition expert by visiting www.eatright.org/find-a-nutrition-expert
Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN, LDN, CLC, FAND is an assistant professor in the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Brooks College of Health, University of North Florida.
