Trust Me I'm a (mom)(yogi) RD

Many of us have probably set New Years' Resolutions in the past, and odds are likely (at times) they have centered around changing our weight or bodies.  For work this week, I was motivated to lead a body image group facilitating a discussion on just this topic and how to change the narrative for our New Year goals....and luckily, I stumbled upon a website that immediately gave me inspiration.  If you're curious to check out the original post, here's a link to the  Ravishly Article  , but I also thought I would share the author's affirmations that I provided with my clients today. (I also purposefully changed the word Resolutions to Intentions, as that resonates with me more....but feel free to use whatever works best for you). ******* Fifty options for new year’s intentions that are actually  centered on taking care of your body. 1. I will avoid stepping on a scale, because that number tells me nothing about my health or my happiness. 2. In fact, maybe some day...

I will be honest - when I first saw Lizzo's post yesterday discussing some form of "detox" regimen she has been following, the body image advocate in me was disappointed.  But then as I sat back and thought for a moment, something occurred to me: It's none of my fucking business. Lizzo's post is the perfect example that celebrities are not immune to diet culture. We cannot and should not be mad or disappointed at the person being sucked into diet culture; but instead the grasp that the dieting industry has on all of us - no matter where we are on our body image journey.   Sure, as a dietitian working in eating disorders, it makes me nervous that young followers who idolize her may follow in her footsteps. It's also not unbeknownst to me that Lizzo is someone who many in the body positive or fat positive communities look up to.  But this got me thinking - never once to my knowledge did Lizzo ASK to be a body image advocate along with her celebrity title.  This ...

I recently listened to a podcast (I'll share the link below) that really inspired me to write my own post on the topic. Throughout my dietetics career, I myself have spouted the term "Food is your medicine" to clients in a number of different settings.  Let's be honest - it's simple, catchy, almost tongue in cheek; hence why it's used in sooooo many taglines by professionals giving nutrition education.  I think most people who use it aren't intending harm, but rather trying to meet clients or audiences where they are at.  In our dietetics curriculum, we are taught that there are many health benefits to consuming a variety of nutrients, so at the surface level, treating what you eat as "medicine" might feel useful at first. So where could this otherwise harmless statement actually become harmful ?  In my experience working with disordered eating patients, "Food as medicine" can become a way for the ED to twist and factualize the client...