Why You Should Stop “Dieting”
We’re obsessed with dieting – in fact, the average American girl goes on her first diet when she’s just 8 years old. 81% of 10 year olds are afraid of being fat. 51% of 9 and 10 year old girls feel better about themselves if they are on a diet. Americans spend $40 billion a year on weight-loss programs and products.
And yet we’re a country with an obesity crises. Over 60% of U.S. adults are officially overweight, and about half of those have fall within the “obese” category. We’re eating billions in fake, processed, pre-package food. Most of us don’t even come close to eating enough vegetables.
Why are we making ourselves so miserable?
Part of the problem is Fat Talk. The other part of the problem is that many of us don’t KNOW how to eat healthfully. We’re too focused on what our diet does to the outside of our bodies, and not focused enough on how our food affects us – FOR LIFE!
The answer is simple – we need to focus on eating whole, natural, and healthy foods. We need to throw away the 100-calorie packs of Oreo cookies and pick up an apple. We need to educate ourselves and our children on life-long nutrition habits.
To learn more about the Standard American Diet (SAD) and the easy steps you can take to eat a healthy “dietless diet,” read this simple guide by WebMD. For even more information, check out In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan or check out Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution.
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi,
My girlfriend has anorexia, and in times has found your website and this whole operation a source of comfort and support. However that being said, the article above seems to be sending a mixed message. I originally thought the purpose and message of operation beautiful was to let everyone out their know that they are beautiful irrespective of their shape/size or looks. It is what is on the inside that makes a person beautiful.
I think that confidence inspires beauty and had believed that operation beautiful was about increasing confidence and beauty throughout the world. Which is I was confused and I have to say a little upset when I read your article about food and dieting. Does this mean that you believe to be beautiful you must control what and the amount that you eat? I only bring this to your attention because you may not be aware but some of the statements in your article could be termed ‘pro-anorexic’. Encouraging people to; eat smaller portions, use smaller plates and cutlery is a stepping stone for people to cut down eating and become obsessed with body image and weight.
I know that the majority of your readers will not suffer from eating disorders and this is simply aimed at helping them lose weight sensibly. The main point I am trying to make is that by linking weight loss to your site you reinforce the stereo type that to be beautiful you must be/want to be thinner.
Respectfully
Andy
Thank you so much for your comment, Andy! I really appreciate it. Of course, I do not believe that you must “control” what you eat to be beautiful, but many many people do not have any idea how to stop “dieting” and just start eating normal portions of REAL food. Thanks so much for your thoughtful comment. I am so happy you are supportive of your girlfriend.
Andy,
I hope your girlfrien stops being an anorexic soon. It’s terribl;e, but hard to conquer. I hope you are Ok as well…
Hi,
Thank you for your comment Andy, I was think the same thing. If I may be so bold to offer a suggestion – I would recommend checking out Health At Every Size, specifically Linda Bacon along with intuitive eating experts, such as Ellyn Satter. Ellyn Satter has a great definition of normal eating. I believe the message above was on the right track, but unfortunately missed the boat with tips on using smaller plates and smaller utensils. With intuitive eating, it doesn’t really matter the size of the plate because you are listening to your body. Your body may need a larger “portion” one day and less the next. It truly varies. Enough ranting. I leave with Ellyn Satter’s definition of “normal eating.”
Normal eating is being able to eat when you are hungry and continue eating until you are satisfied. It is being able to choose food you like and eat it and truly get enough of it – not just stop eating because you think you should. Normal eating is being able to use some moderate constraint on your food selection to get the right food, but not being so restrictive that you miss out on pleasurable foods. Normal eating is giving yourself permission to eat sometimes because you are happy, sad or bored, or just because it feels good. Normal eating is three meals a day, or it can be choosing to munch along. It is leaving some cookies on the plate because you know you can have some again tomorrow, or it is eating more now because they taste so wonderful when they are fresh. Normal eating is overeating at times: feeling stuffed and uncomfortable. It is also undereating at times and wishing you had more. Normal eating is trusting your body to make up for your mistakes in eating. Normal eating takes up some of your time and attention, but keeps its place as only one important area of your life.
In short, normal eating is flexible. It varies in response to your emotions, your schedule, your hunger and your proximity to food.
In response to your comment and Andy’s comment, I have removed the tips for intuitive eating from this section. Although I think intuitive eating has a great place in our world, especially in a world where most people struggling with overeating, not undereating, I understand it may be triggering to people with eating disorders. So, I removed it. Thank you both for your feedback.