WHAT NOT TO SAY
Here’s how to avoid unhelpful phrases – and what to say instead
DON’T TELL SOMEONE ‘YOU’RE NOT FAT’
While it may be well-meaning, Taryn says this is something that we should try to avoid saying. “It stigmatises fat and it makes fat bad,” she explains.
DON’T EQUATE FITNESS WITH WEIGHT LOSS
Talk about the other benefits of exercise. For instance, you might say you’re going for a run because it’s good for your mental health, or it releases endorphins.
“What we say about our bodies in front of our kids matters so much,” says Taryn.
AVOID REFERRING TO FOOD AS TREATS OR REWARDS
Dr Yager says this language tends to portray foods as good and bad. “We just call food what it is,” she explains.