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Reject the Diet Mentality: Why You Need to Ditch Diet Culture and Rediscover Intuitive Eating.


In today's society, the pressure to conform to a certain body type is overwhelming. The media bombards us with images of thin, toned bodies, promoting diets that promise quick and permanent weight loss. However, these diets are not only ineffective but can also be dangerous to our health. The diet mentality has led us to believe that we need to be constantly striving for an unattainable body shape and size, causing us to overlook the importance of listening to our bodies and nourishing ourselves in a way that feels good. In this article, we will explore the harmful effects of diet culture, and why it's time to reject the diet mentality and rediscover intuitive eating.

What is the Diet Mentality? The diet mentality is the idea that our worth as individuals is tied to our weight and appearance. It promotes the idea that we should be constantly striving to lose weight, no matter the cost. This mentality is deeply ingrained in our society and is perpetuated by the media, healthcare professionals, and even loved ones. Diet culture is everywhere, from advertisements for weight loss pills to social media influencers promoting detox teas.

Why the Diet Mentality is Harmful The diet mentality has harmful effects on our mental and physical health. Dieting often leads to a cycle of restriction and bingeing, causing us to develop an unhealthy relationship with food. It also leads to feelings of guilt and shame when we inevitably "fail" at the latest fad diet. This can cause us to develop low self-esteem and negative body image, which can lead to disordered eating habits. In addition to the negative psychological effects, diets can also have harmful physical effects. Many diets are restrictive and eliminate entire food groups, causing us to miss out on essential nutrients.

Why Intuitive Eating is the Solution Intuitive eating is the practice of listening to our bodies and eating in a way that feels good. It's about making food choices based on hunger and fullness cues, rather than following strict diet rules. Intuitive eating is not a diet, but rather a lifestyle that promotes balance, flexibility, and self-care. Intuitive eating has many benefits for both our physical and mental health. By listening to our bodies, we can nourish ourselves in a way that feels good and promotes overall health. Intuitive eating also promotes a positive body image and self-esteem, allowing us to focus on our health

rather than our weight.

How to Start Intuitive Eating The first step in starting intuitive eating is to reject the diet mentality. This means throwing out diet books and articles that promise quick and easy weight loss. It also means unfollowing social media accounts that promote diet culture and surround ourselves with positive, body-positive influences. The next step is to tune into our bodies and listen to our hunger and fullness cues. This means eating when we're hungry and stopping when we're full. It also means eating foods that we enjoy and that make us feel good, rather than following strict diet rules. Intuitive eating is a journey, and it's important to be patient and kind to ourselves. It's not about being perfect, but rather about finding balance and nourishing the body as needed.

The reality is that diets don't work. They may help you lose weight temporarily, but they are not a sustainable solution for long-term weight management. In fact, research shows that 95% of people who go on a diet regain the weight they lost within a few years, and some even end up weighing more than they did before. Intuitive eating is a non-diet approach to eating that focuses on trusting your body's natural hunger and fullness cues to guide your food choices. It's about learning to eat based on your body's needs and desires, rather than following external rules and restrictions.

By embracing the principles of intuitive eating, you can learn to trust your body and break free from the cycle of dieting and weight loss obsession. You'll be able to rediscover the joy of eating and nourishing your body in a way that feels good and sustainable.

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Jaclyn Leocata MS, RDN, CDN, CEDS-C

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Registered Dietitian

Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor

Certified Eating Disorder Specialist & Consultant

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