Food shaming all too common

“How can you eat that?” “Don’t you know those are bad for you?”

“She can eat whatever she wants, she’s thin!”

What we choose to eat is very personal and a number of factors go into the decision whether or not to eat specific foods.

Factors including expense, nutritional content, preparation time, convenience and perceived effect on weight and health seem to be the most common, in my experience.

Unfortunately, with the development of a diet-focussed, weight-centric culture, the practice of judging or criticizing ourselves or others for what we eat, or food shaming, has become common. I see this with patients and clients and experience this first-hand as a dietitian.

Working in a hospital I’m often surrounded by chocolates, donuts, cakes and other treats brought in by the families of patients and other healthcare providers, as a way of showing gratitude for the care provided and appreciation for the work of the team.

As a dietitian, I’ve been given the impression that I’m held to a higher standard for what I choose to eat, or not eat, in this environment.

If I choose to eat a donut I’ll hear a comment of “well you can eat whatever you want,” if I choose not to eat one it’s “well of course the dietitian won’t want one.”

While I first found the comments annoying, I’m now better able to tune them out. Those individuals may likely be trying to justify their own unhealthy relationships with food by projecting their perception of a healthy diet onto me.

It can still be difficult not to justify why I’m refusing a food that’s been offered to me.

Food shaming can take different forms and is sometimes less obvious. Whether it’s a dirty look for a perceived-tobe unhealthy choice, a critical comment on another’s meal, or even the unsolicited suggestion of a “healthier” alternative, food shaming can seem innocent enough but can create guilt and insecurity on the receiving end. In extreme cases, food shaming can lead to an unhealthy relationship with food and possibly disordered eating behaviours.

It’s not uncommon for me to hear patient’s shaming themselves as well: “I know I shouldn’t be having this, I know it’s bad for me.”

Many of these types of comments seem to be accompanied with guilt and shame. It can sometimes feel like I’m receiving a confession of sins.

As I’ve mentioned many times before, no food is inherently good or bad and no one meal choice will cause you to gain 20 pounds. Your health is often determined by an accumulation of diet and lifestyles choices made over time, not in one day.

So what do you do if a friend, family member or co-worker tries to food shame you?

Ask them what their problem is with carbs, cake, donuts, etc., or why it’s important to them that you eat that item. It’s unlikely you’ll get an intelligent response.

One individual’s perception of a healthy diet should not be projected onto another through food shaming.

Ultimately, choosing what to eat is your own personal decision and that decision should be free from the influence of others. I challenge those reading this to refrain from commenting on the diets and food choices of others.

Remember, no food is innately good or bad.

Your personal goals are not shared by everyone and comments towards yourself or others can have lasting negative effects.

Kelsey Leckovic is a registered dietitian with Northern Health working in chronic disease management.