Today we have a post from Heidi, one of our therapists at Anchored Counseling Co on how to nourish your body amid diet culture and the thin ideal. Heidi is dedicated to helping individuals discover their inner strength and unique abilities as they journey towards a fulfilling life. She values self-compassion and courage, believing these qualities can help clients achieve their individual goals. Utilizing a weight-neutral and accepting approach, Heidi emphasizes the importance of balancing acceptance and change simultaneously.
In her therapeutic relationships, Heidi aims to empower clients to be brave while fostering a supportive and compassionate environment. She encourages genuineness in her sessions and challenges unhelpful beliefs, combining empathy and humor to make clients feel at ease and safe to be themselves. Being approachable is a high priority for Heidi, and she is committed to creating a safe space for clients to explore their true selves.
Heidi’s approach to therapy is rooted in the belief that life is fully experienced through the balance of acceptance and change. She looks forward to walking alongside her clients on their journey of self-discovery and empowerment. We hope you enjoy today’s post from Heidi!
Developing a healthy relationship with food can be a journey fraught with challenges and struggles. For many, it’s not just about what’s on the plate, but rather the complex interplay of emotions, societal pressures, and personal beliefs surrounding food. Navigating the realm of nourishment while steering clear of diet culture can be a delicate balancing act. Distinguishing between genuine health intentions and societal beauty standards can blur lines, leading to feelings of guilt or inadequacy. Ultimately, finding a personalized approach to nourishment that prioritizes holistic well-being over external validation requires resilience and self-awareness in a culture saturated with unrealistic ideals. Today, we’ll discuss how to nourish your body amid diet culture and the thin ideal.
STEP ONE: The journey often starts with unlearning harmful diet culture norms that dictate what foods are deemed “good” or “bad.” Increasing awareness of your words and thoughts are a good place to start to shift food judgements for yourself and also for the people who spend time around you. Many find this practice important in parenting the next generation of people with less food judgment and more balanced views of eating. Words that carry strong emotional context can be: “detox”, “junk”, “guilt-free”, “heavy”, “cheat” and “sinful” just to name a few.
STEP TWO: It requires a shift from viewing food solely as a means to control weight or shape, to understanding its role in nourishing the body and nurturing the soul. Gratitude for food and expanding the way in which it is viewed is also a great practice for those wanting to change diet culture. Instead of seeing calorie dense foods as “bad” we can start to appreciate what the food does for our body by learning more about the many nutrients in it and appreciating what the energy dense foods allow us to do for fun! Food allows us to run, jump and play with our children and friends. Remembering the role that food has played in wonderful memories and family traditions can help heal wounds between you and foods you once loved. Making an effort to enjoy these foods for enjoyment’s sake and not restrict them for fear or judgment of them can be restorative to that relationship with food. Food is a part of celebration and holds an emotionally warm place in family’s from generation to generation.
STEP THREE: Navigating the sea of conflicting information about nutrition can add another layer of difficulty. With fad diets promising quick fixes and social media influencers promoting unrealistic body standards, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and confused about what constitutes a balanced diet. This constant barrage of messages can erode self-confidence and breed feelings of guilt and shame around food choices. Learning to tune out the noise and trust one’s body signals becomes essential in reclaiming autonomy over eating habits. Creating boundaries with what you allow in your newsfeed and in your home is an empowering step to heal your relationship with food. Unfollow accounts that are not helpful or impact your mood negatively even a little. Support magazines that focus on your interests and are aligned with your value of taking the emotional power away from food. Learning more about food and different ways you enjoy food prepared, new recipes, cooking classes, can help you increase food variety and educate yourself on many different cuisines.
AFFIRMATION OF THE DAY: “I am worthy and capable of nourishing my body with kindness and compassion, free from food judgment and societal pressures.”
For some extra support check out the Full Bloom Podcast and the Life After Diets Podcast!
We hope you found Heidi’s insights on nourishing your body amid diet culture and the thin ideal helpful. If her message resonated with you, this could be the perfect time to take meaningful steps toward your healing and peace. To initiate your work with Heidi, please feel free to call our office at 615.510.3797 or click here to learn more.
