Food for Thought: Diets Fuel Disordered Eating
It’s “National Diet Month.” Media ads for the latest and greatest weight loss programs are everywhere. In our weight-obsessed society we lose our ability to enjoy the very foods being served at social events for fear of weight gain.
We resolve to be “better” next time, and plan — Our New Year’s Resolution — THE DIET!
Resolve to Try a New Approach: Intuitive Eating
We know from years of research that 95% of all diets “fail.” Lost weight is generally regained (plus additional weight and body fat) within 3-5 years. It’s difficult to imagine any other medical procedure with a 95% failure rate being encouraged, yet diets seem to be the miracle cure for whatever ails you. Diets screw up your brain and metabolic rate and encourage a “feast or famine ” mentality.
Unintended consequences of diets include:
-food and body preoccupation,
-weight cycling,
-reduced self-esteem,
distraction from other health-promoting behaviors like exercise,
-eating disorders
I was so honored to be a guest on the Love, Food Podcast by Julie Duffy Dillon, RD. This episode talks about the negative effects of diets on our psyches but also looks at why they provide a function for many of us. Have a listen and subscribe to Julie’s wonderful podcast!
Why does everyone need “skinny” jeans and “skinny” lattes? Who said “skinny” equals healthy and fit? Heavier bodies can be strong and healthy. Let’s promote living, NOT dieting! Having provided nutrition counseling for well over three decades, I have seen firsthand the damage caused by fad diets and the mentality.
Ring in the New Year with Intuitive Eating and Health at Every Size
It is time to focus our efforts and attention to health. A healthy body can exist in a wide range of shapes and sizes. When I work with a chronic dieter or individual recovering from an eating disorder, our goal is to adopt regular patterns of eating, increase joyful movement, and improve self-esteem.
– See if you can end the dieting cycle
-Give yourself unconditional permission to eat all foods
– End the war on your body and your mind
Learning to feel satisfied with your food, rather than rejecting it, can help prevent overeating and/or under-eating. Listen to what a client just told me, after practicing intuitive eating for a while:
“It’s insane! I could not possibly eat another piece of cake or scarf down a box of cookies! It doesn’t feel good for my body anymore. Last year I would have pigged out right until New Years Day, feeling way out of control. I knew I’d be dieting in the new year. That’s pretty messed up!
Find out how to say “good riddance” to food-associated stress with Intuitive Eating!
Sign up for a FREE WEBINAR on INTUITIVE EATING RIGHT HERE!
You can learn to become the expert of your body and meeting its needs. You can discover your own natural, internal signals of hunger and fullness. You can distinguish between your reasons for eating – the “why”, “when”, “what”, “how” and “how much” – as the first step in learning to eat mindfully and “intuitively.” You were born with all this knowledge deep inside of you. It is yours to reclaim.
My New Year’s resolution is about self-care — getting more sleep, practicing a new skill and connecting with friends and family more often! Can’t wait to hear yours!
In Good Health,
Erica
Erica Leon is a Registered Dietitian and practices from a Health at Every Size (HAES®) lens. She is certified as an eating disorder specialist and is passionate about helping women at midlife, menopause and beyond to make peace with food and body image.
Erica is a highly sensitive nutrition therapist who takes the time to learn where you or your family are in the pursuit of health. Respectful of your individual needs and lifestyle, she will provide an honest assessment of whether or not you are a good fit to work together. Click here to schedule a 15-minute Discovery Call with Erica to let us know about your needs, and to see which of our Dietitians is the best fit for you!
Download our Free Intuitive Eating Guide and get off that Diet Roller Coaster for good!
