Diet Culture Myths- Busted

As you may, or may not, already know, I believe that diet culture is very similar to any other sales industry. It relies on marketing, sales of programs and products, as well as good/bad reviews from the public. Likewise, diet culture trends come and go (like fashion trends)!

Research shows that 95% of diets with restrictive qualities fail long-term. This high level of failure from previously dieting, often allows for more consideration of new diets to “save the day”. In the past, diet culture trends suggested that eating fat was the problem in the health industry. Yet, this was mainly prior to research supporting different types of fats. For example, scientists know that although eating excess amounts of saturated fats can increase the risk for some future diseases, eating fat on a daily basis is still essential for our health. Similarly, dietitians recommend aiming to eat mainly “healthy” fats or unsaturated fats, omega-3, and omega-6 fatty acids (mainly coming from things such as fish, nuts, avocado, olive oil, etc.)

More recently, diet culture trends suggest that eating too many carbohydrates is the problem in the health industry. Diets such as the ketogenic diet are being used to lose weight, and more often than not, they are not sustainable long-term. Why? The ketogenic diet is restrictive and relies on starving your body of adequate carbohydrates. It is not a healthful way of weight loss, and it is rarely recommended by Dietitians. However, the ketogenic is THRIVING on social media, in our communities, and on apps, because it is the new diet trend.

Dieting trends often encourage disordered eating. Yes, I said it. Restricting food, skipping meals, avoiding food groups, or having food rules should not be recommended (unless medically prescribed). With this being said, next time you see a recommendation like, “lose weight now, fast and easy,” then ask yourself:

“Are they really concerned about me, and my body, or selling their products and/or services?”

Want to know more? Link: https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/blog/recognizing-and-resisting-diet-culture

There are other red flag behaviors that diet culture often exposes:·

• Example 1: “Tracking calories to meet your goals is essential”

… Yeah, essential in developing an eating disorder. Tracking calories is completely unnecessary unless medically advised. In the following research study of over 100 participants, 74% (almost 75%) of people with eating disorders were also using MyFitnessPal to track their calories and intake. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5700836/.

• Example 2: “Fast until after noon everyday – lose weight fast,”

… Yeah, I’m sure I will lose weight if I don’t eat 14 hours of the day, every day. In addition, it will influence me to start the restrict/binge cycle. It may even mess up my natural hunger and fullness cues.

At the end of the day, diet culture encourages hyper-focusing on food. Whether it is through calories, body size, quality of food, amount of food, etc. Likewise, diet culture is very good at promising astounding results, and blaming us for the failures. Like fashion trends, eating trends will continue to come and go. Pay extra attention to the trustworthy sources (rather than all of social media) to help combat diet culture myths.