What is diet culture anyways?
Diet culture values physical appearance over health and overall well-being. It allows judgement of people based on what they look like and what they choose to put into their bodies. Some examples of diet culture include:
- Establishing labels for foods (ie. good, bad, treats, etc.).
- Guilt or shame for eating “bad” foods.
- Working out to burn off “bad” foods.
- Eliminating food groups (ie. candy, sugar, treats, etc.).
- Pushing products for weight loss (pills, coffees, etc.).
- Glorifying skinny over healthy.
So why is this still a conversation today?
Being healthy and being thin are two very different things and need to start being valued appropriately. Diet culture is used to pray on those who want to look a certain way. Each person’s body is different and should be accepted regardless of shape, size, color, or ability.
I, just like everyone else have fallen into the diet culture trap a time or two. However, in the past 5 years I have learned there is only one way to get and maintain overall health…. work! There is no magic pill, there is no quick fix, it takes consistent work. If your goal is to get into better physical shape, then you need to move your body. If your goal is to improve your nutrition, you need to focus on what you eat. It is truly that simple.
My Journey…
When I started this journey 5 years ago, I wanted to look better (embarrassing but true). I assumed if I worked out 4 hours a day, I would have my “dream body” (pictured on the right). Problem was, I got what I thought my dream body was yet still didn’t feel happy or healthy. I prioritized working out over everything and everyone. And while I was working out nonstop all day every day, I never changed my diet. I ate primarily candy and tacos and always felt sick, shocker. It took a picture to make me realize appearance means nothing.
Since then, I have cut back on my exercise to 1 workout a day and focused more on my nutrition, not for my looks but for my overall health. I do not diet and will not diet and also will not exclude any food groups, outside of gluten since I am celiac. I do not get on the scale every morning as my worth is no longer tied to a number. And believe it or not, I am happiest and healthiest I have ever been, and I weigh more than I ever have (except when I was pregnant).
The Harm of Diet Culture
- Promotes and normalizes disordered eating.
- Turns exercise into a punishment.
- Wastes time and money.
- Increases guilt, anxiety, and shame.
- Affects overall health and digestion.
- Hurts relationships with both food and people.
Tips to Fight Diet Culture
- Focus on what your body can do, where you are at, with what you have.
- Avoid social media accounts that leave you feeling like you are not enough, or you need to look different.
- Stop labeling foods as good or bad, eat foods that fuel your body and make you feel good, even if that including lots of candy corn.
- Focus on all the health’s (mental, physical, social).
- Watch how you speak to yourself about yourself.
- Build a community with people who have similar beliefs.
Even though on the face of the diet culture definition we all know it should not continue to be a thing, it will never go away. It will always be used to help sell the next quick fix. It is up to us to not fall into the trap and to continuously fight against multi-billion-dollar industry.
Come follow me on Instagram @life-after-numbers for workouts, nutrition, and who knows what else!