Let’s get one thing straight: unless there’s a medical condition involved, carbs aren’t the enemy. If you can indulge in bacon and pork rinds on your diet, why not enjoy a banana or a sweet potato too?
You never need to “make up” for eating something indulgent, like a donut, by punishing yourself with excessive workouts or skipping meals. You don’t owe anyone an explanation for treating yourself when ordering dessert (whether it’s your favorite cake or a side of fries) during a night out with friends.
It’s time we stop assigning moral values to food. This mindset only fosters disordered eating, guilt, and a fear of fat. We’ve all been conditioned to think this way, myself included. Having struggled with an eating disorder and body image issues for years, I’m actively working to dismantle the untrue beliefs that diet culture has instilled in me. Each day is a new challenge to learn how to appreciate and nourish my body without obsessing over making it smaller or thinner.
The other day at a local coffee shop, I overheard a young girl ask her mom for a bagel. Without missing a beat, the mom shot back, “Too many carbs, you don’t want to get big!” My heart sank. I wanted to tell that girl, “Your weight is the least interesting thing about you. You’re incredible, and you deserve to enjoy whatever food you want.”
I held back, though. I didn’t want to disrupt their dynamic or add any stress to that girl’s day, especially considering my own toxic experiences with weight-shaming. Instead, I smiled at her and hoped she could sense my support.
This kind of harmful messaging is everywhere. At a recent school meeting, someone apologized for indulging in a piece of candy, saying, “I’m sorry, I couldn’t resist. I don’t want to blow up like a balloon.” While the intent might not have been to shame anyone, these comments can still hurt those around us.
I used to feel the need to announce why I was eating something indulgent, often justifying my choices because I had “worked out extra hard.” But the fact that anyone feels the need to apologize for enjoying food is problematic. We’ve been conditioned to believe that if we aren’t thin, we should feel guilty indulging in anything that isn’t considered “healthy.” This stigma is especially unfair to larger individuals, who deserve to enjoy food as much as anyone else.
It’s frustrating and disheartening. Just because someone looks a certain way doesn’t mean we know anything about their health or lifestyle. And even if we did, that shouldn’t dictate their worthiness of respect or enjoyment.
Healing from an eating disorder often involves gaining weight, which I’ve experienced. My body has changed with each of my four children, and I no longer fit into the tiny mold I used to. I spent years in a cycle of deprivation, tracking calories and obsessing over my weight, but I was not healthy.
If you’re still clinging to outdated notions about body size, please reconsider. If you find yourself discussing your diet or weight loss plans unsolicited, it might be time to reflect on that behavior.
Enjoy your candy bar without guilt, and allow yourself to eat what you love without worrying about making excuses. Remember to honor your hunger; you shouldn’t live your life consumed by cravings. I wish I could turn back time and love my body more, but I can encourage you to break free from societal norms that hold you back.
Most importantly, please be mindful of how you talk to your children about food and size. A bagel won’t determine your child’s worth, but negative comments can lead to lifelong struggles with eating and mental health. Let’s strive to break the cycle of harmful messaging for the next generation.
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Summary:
Diet culture perpetuates harmful beliefs about food and body image. It’s essential to challenge the notion that certain foods are “bad” and to stop putting moral values on what we eat. Everyone deserves to enjoy food without guilt or shame, and we must foster a healthier environment for ourselves and future generations by being mindful of our language and attitudes toward food.
Keyphrase: Stop Talking About Your Diet
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