We live in a society that is overly obsessed with weight, shape, and health. We call this “Diet Culture,” which is a system of beliefs that places importance and emphasis on thinness and equates it to health and wellbeing. Many people spend their entire lives desperately trying to achieve the ‘thin ideal” and can feel like there is something ‘wrong’ with them when they aren’t able to achieve it. Sound familiar?
As a registered Dietitian, I can help teach you how to fuel your body in a way that is nourishing for the body, mind, and soul. My philosophy and practice help clients push back against diet culture, helps you meet your goals and emphasizes food as one of life’s greatest pleasures. Not feeling that way currently? Let me help you break the cycle of dieting and make peace with food.
Not sure? See if You Relate to These.
Top 7 Reasons Your Relationship with Food Needs Help
Food Is Your Worst Enemy
You think about food all day long, you analyze labels and ingredients and worry that many of the food ingredients will be harmful to your body. This leads to stress and worry and thoughts “there is nothing left to eat!!” You wish you could just eat at regular restaurants, at your friend’s house, or make meals that are simple and delicious but there is so much to consider with every bite. Tracking and logging your intake seems like the best way to make sure you are doing everything right.
Food Is Your Best Friend
Stressed? Tired? Lonely? Bored? Excited? We all eat for one or more reasons (other than hunger) some of the time but if you feel that you are using food to provide comfort, to soothe you, or numbs other feelings you’re not ready to feel it might be a sign you need to check in with a professional.
Food Is Good Or Bad
You categorize foods according to the nutrients they have (or don’t have). You then internalize those feelings, you are ‘good’ when you eat ‘clean.’ The opposite is true when you eat forbidden or ‘bad’ food. The end result is negative feelings like guilt and shame.
You Live Your Life By The Scale
The holy grail is the scale, you weigh yourself regularly and either feel happy or let’s be honest, mostly disappointed when you weigh yourself. The scale dictates your mood, how you feel about your body and the food choices you make that day and the days following. There is a reason it is nicknamed ‘the sad step.’
All Or Nothing Thinking
You are either all in this and follow your diet or meal schedule religiously or you are 100% out and eat whatever you want and more. There is no in-between and your always going to get ‘back on track’ tomorrow. You may also eat in secret due to guilt, shame or fears of judgment when you ‘break diet.’
You Live By The “Rules"
Food rules are a set of beliefs or practices you hold to keep yourself ‘in check’. No eating after 7 pm. No desserts during the week. If I have an appetizer then no dessert. If I work out I ‘earn’ a big meal out. No processed foods. No foods with more than 5 ingredients. No added sugars. The list goes on and on. If you find you have a mental list running through your head your relationship with food might need work.
You Feel Like You Will Never Be Able To Stop
No X in the house. If you have X around whether it is ice cream, cookies, candies, etc. You worry you will just keep eating and eating and never stop. You feel like you have no ‘control’ over yourself.
If any of these sounds like what you are experiencing, it might indicate that you need some support and guidance around food in a positive and non-judgemental way. Sign up for a free 15-minute consultation here.
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