To be fair, not all dietitians spread misinformation — many are thoughtful and evidence-based. But diet culture has definitely influenced the field, so here are 5 common “lies” or misleading messages people often hear (intentionally or not):
that sentence makes no sense when you look at it closely. Let’s break down why. 1. Weight is not caused by a lack of hobbies Body size is influenced by a complex mix of genetics, metabolism, environment, hormones, medications, stress, sleep, mental health, and eating patterns — not by whether someone has a hobby.Saying “you’re fat because you don’t have […]
If someone struggles with binge eating, the instinct might be to try to “shrink” themselves through extreme dieting, restriction, or over-exercising. But those approaches actually make binge eating worse, because restriction often triggers more intense cravings, shame, and loss of control around food. The real path to healing binge eating is about: Shrinking your body doesn’t heal […]
Healing from binge eating disorder (BED) and actively pursuing weight loss at the same time usually backfires — and here’s why: 1. Weight loss goals often fuel restriction BED is rooted in a cycle of deprivation ? loss of control ? binge. If your mind is focused on eating less, cutting calories, or shrinking your body, you’re essentially reinforcing the […]
Hunger cues are your body’s built-in signals (like stomach growling, emptiness, low energy, or mental fog) that tell you when you need nourishment. When these cues are dulled, ignored, or overridden by dieting/restriction, it creates the perfect setup for binge eating. Here’s why tuning back into them is so important for recovery: 1. Prevents extreme hunger […]
It can feel confusing and painful to look back at old photos and think “I wish I looked like that” — especially if, at the time, you may have been just as critical of yourself. Here’s what might be happening: It’s important to remember: this comparison is a symptom of the disorder, not an accurate reflection of reality. […]
The phrase “comfort is the thief of skinny” is a distorted, diet-culture kind of message. It implies that: That’s not just distorted — it’s harmful. It confuses thinness with worth and discomfort with discipline. A healthier truth might sound more like: ? The real distortion is the idea that being uncomfortable makes you more valuable. In reality, sustainable health and […]
Calorie tracking apps can be useful for some people—especially if they’re trying to learn about nutrition or manage specific health conditions—but they can also become a slippery slope. If someone finds themselves: …then the app stops being a tool and starts being a trap. A healthier approach might be focusing on: What’s your relationship with […]
For many people steeped in diet culture, yes — gaining weight becomes the biggest fear, sometimes even bigger than being tired, irritable, missing out on life, or hurting their health. But that fear isn’t natural — it’s learned. Here’s what’s really going on: 1. Conditioning from Diet Culture 2. Fear of Judgment, Not Just Pounds Often, it’s not […]
The dieting industry has conditioned so many women to believe that less is always better — and that “control” equals eating the smallest amount possible. But the truth is: The fear around 2000 calories comes from years of messaging like: ? That’s where the harm of the diet industry shows up. It normalizes under-eating and teaches women […]