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There's a multi-billion dollar diet industry that is feeding off our insecurities and emotions. 

Have you been influenced by 'Diet Culture'?

 

As a Nutrition Consultant, and an ageing woman, I see language and marketing strategies around food and dieting that concerns me. And I'm about to share three that frustrate me the most!

 

Because, I don't want you to fall for these. 

 

Our energy and motivation are not limitless. Let's not waste it on things that don't support us. 

 

I want you to have a helpful mindset when it comes to achieving your health goals: feel good about yourself and the choices you make. To feel energised, lighter & stronger and live life with zest as you age. 

 

What is Diet Culture?

 

A set of myths and beliefs around food, weight and health. 

It can include:

 

• equating weight loss with health (eg: thin is healthy)
• marketing foods as "good" or "bad"
• "cheat days"
• advertising exercise for weight loss
• focusing on weight gains and losses

 

And sometimes it can be masked as health-focused and wellness changes. 

 

We are surrounded by it.

 

Now, back to my three most frustrating...

 

1. GUILT STYLE MARKETING

 

I'm fed up of marketing that promotes "Guilt Free", "Guilty Pleasure" or "Be Naughty". We even see this in the 'healthy' space. Some may say “guilty pleasure” is simply a term we use, yet why does this sort of terminology need to be used?  

 

There's no need to feel guilty about our food choices. If someone is feeling guilty, then there is something deeper to explore. 

 

Whether you're choosing to eat a salad or a donut, every choice can be a contented choice. 

 

• There's no "bad food or "guilty pleasure"
• There's no beating yourself up; before, during or after

 

There's only FOOD CHOICE and being at EASE with the CHOICE YOU MAKE at any give time. 

 

Believe me, there's a great sense of FREEDOM when you make a contented choice. 

(Being mindful of allergies and any other health concerns, if relevant.)

 

2. LANGUAGE WHEN DIETING

 

On a diet - fallen off the wagon - ate naughty foods - stuffed up - restricted - deprived - missing out - a failure...

Even weight loss programs use words like "syns" and "cheat days". 

 

What if we lose the word "dieting" and aim for "nourishing" instead?

 

Switch our focus from weight loss to self-care and nourishing our body. Tuning in to what we really need. 

Weight doesn’t only show up as pounds or kilos: there can be a heaviness to how we feel about our self and stressors around food. 

We can also be nourished by the joy and social connections that food can bring. 

 

For me, giving my body nourishing foods most of the time gives me the energy and clarity to deal with all the other stuff. 

 

Yes, I've been on protocols where I have removed certain foods for a period of time. The difference is it comes from a place of healing and supporting my health.

 

Self-kindness instead of self-judgement

 

3. LANGUAGE WE USE ABOUT FOOD

 

Good - bad - naughty - clean - dirty - crap - junk - forbidden 

 

I'll be the first to put up my hand for using some of these. Now I aim to be more mindful on the words I use.

 

• Because the words we use matter
• The way we feel about ourselves, matters
• The way we think and feel about food matters

 

And to be honest, when you're in the health space, it can be challenging not to use the word "good".

 

Because good can mean:

 

• Serving the desired purpose or end; suitable (The American Heritage Dictionary)
• Pleasant, enjoyable, high quality (Collins)
• Suitable, agreeable, wholesome (Merriam-Webster)

 

WHAT NOW?

 

Check in with yourself: How are you feeling - physically, mentally & emotionally?

Ask what your motivation is and check if it is tied into diet culture or not. 

 

• Are you choosing the food because it makes you feel energised or because you're upset?
• Are you doing the exercise because it will make you stronger or because you're punishing yourself?

 

It's finding what serves you the best. Having awareness and a healthy mindset will help you. 

 

A healthy mindset allows you to manage stress, maintain a sense of balance, and adapt to various situations with a helpful attitude.

It involves practicing self-care. Being mindful

 

Cultivating a healthy mindset can lead to improved mental well-being, increased motivation, and a greater sense of fulfilment in life.

 

I'm passionate about helping women ditch the dieting mentality and age with zest, mobility & marbles. 

 

Download my free PDF Enjoying Every Mouthful: Increase Your Energy and Release the Weight. It has steps to get you started.