A common misconception of the non-diet approach to nutrition is that it promotes unhealthy behaviors and leads to the opposite of “health”. Critics of the anti-diet space argue that rejecting dieting means abandoning all efforts toward health and wellness. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, the anti-diet approach prioritizes health by acknowledging that it is not achieved through restrictive measures, but instead through sustainable health-promoting behaviors including gentle nutrition, joyful movement, adequate sleep, and stress management, to name a few. Anti-diet is all about challenging the damaging norms perpetuated by the culture in which we live and advocating for a more balanced, compassionate approach to health and well-being.
First and foremost, health has context. What is healthy for one person, might not be healthy for the next person. Moreover, weight is not synonymous with health. Health issues can affect individuals of all body sizes and we cannot determine someone’s health status by simply looking at them. The concept of anti-diet means rejecting the idea that thinness equals health and that weight loss is the ultimate goal. It's recognizing that health is multifaceted and cannot be determined solely by a number on a scale. Health encompasses physical, mental, and emotional well-being, and it's not something that can be achieved through deprivation, restriction, or punishment.
In this day and age, it seems like society is so quick to polarize, have a “hot take”, and jump to an extreme end of the spectrum when it comes to just about everything. But we must remember that true health is not found in extremes. Following rigid rules or adhering to strict diets does not constitute health, in fact, it strays far from it. Rather, health thrives in the cultivation of balance and attunement to our individual needs.
The anti-diet approach is about dismantling the harmful beliefs and practices that fuel diet culture. This includes challenging the notion that certain foods are "good" or "bad" and rejecting the moralization of eating habits. You are not a good person for eating broccoli and a bad person for eating cake, yet so many times we’ll hear someone say “I was bad” about a certain food they ate or “I’ll be good again tomorrow” in reference to cheating on their diet. Unless you stole the food you are eating, feelings of guilt or shame do not belong at the table with you.
Anti-diet is about acknowledging that food is fuel for our bodies AND so much more. If we are not feeding ourselves enough to begin with, then our bodies cannot function optimally just like a car trying to run on empty. Similarly, if we are only feeding our bodies foods that are low in nutrition, then we will be left feeling lackluster and lethargic. So yes, of course, food is fuel. However, we are also meant to enjoy our food. Food is a source of pleasure and connection, as well as a means of experiencing and sharing culture. The aim is to strike a balance by incorporating a variety of foods that not only taste good but also leave our bodies feeling energized.
As an anti-diet dietitian, I firmly believe in prioritizing how we nourish our bodies and deeply caring for our health. However, if this commitment manifests as food anxiety, an obsession with weight, and engagement in rigid eating patterns, then the concept of “health” loses its meaning. So, if the conversation truly revolves around health, isn’t it far more unhealthy to be living within the confines of dieting? The preoccupation with physical appearance that fuels dieting only serves to undermine our mental and emotional well-being, which are directly tied to our overall health.
Working to reclaim your relationship with food and leave dieting behind for good is no easy feat. Shifting your mindset and learning to trust your body is a gradual process. It’s important to note that just as it took time to adopt dieting behaviors, it will take time to unlearn them, too. If you are seeking professional guidance in healing your relationship with food, consider scheduling a discovery call with me to learn more about my 1:1 nutrition counseling sessions.
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