IRL diet culture overheard in the lunch room
A constant grumble for my sister and I, is the unsolicited diet culture chat in the work lunch room. This frustration and common scene saw me take to Instagram to get the crowds experience of diet culture. These are IRL (in real life) diet culture statements that the community have experienced.
“Eating for two?”
“Are you going to eat all of that!?”
“I can’t eat that, I’m being good today”
“That will make you fat, it’s not worth it, just smell it”
“You look so much better! Keep fasting!” (Them not knowing I have an ED and feeding it more)
“Avoid carbs”
“Carbs are the devil!”
You have NO idea what someone may be experiencing. This is just another example of not being able to know anything about someone’s health based off their appearance.
Responding to diet talk can be delicate, especially if you're trying to maintain a positive atmosphere or respect your own boundaries regarding food and body image. Here are some strategies you can use depending on the context and your comfort level:
Change the Subject
If you’re not comfortable engaging in diet talk, steer the conversation in a different direction.
"I’m more interested in hearing about your vacation! How was it?"
"Speaking of food, did you try that new restaurant downtown?"
Set Boundaries
Politely let the person know that you’re not comfortable discussing diets.
"I’ve found that talking about diets doesn’t make me feel good. Can we talk about something else?"
"I’m trying to focus on positive things right now, so I’d rather not talk about dieting."
Shift the Focus
Redirect the conversation to a more holistic view of health and well-being.
"I’ve been trying to focus on overall wellness rather than dieting. How are you taking care of yourself these days?"
"I’ve been reading a lot about intuitive eating and how it’s more about listening to your body."
Express Disinterest
Sometimes, a simple, non-committal response can signal that you’re not interested in the topic.
"Oh, okay."
"That’s interesting."
Offer Supportive Comments
If the person seems to be struggling or seeking validation, offer supportive but neutral comments.
"It sounds like you’re really working hard on your goals."
"I hope you’re taking care of yourself in a way that feels good for you."
Share Your Perspective
If you feel comfortable, share your views on the topic in a way that doesn’t criticize the other person.
"I’ve found that focusing on balance and moderation works better for me than strict dieting."
"I’ve been trying to be kinder to myself about food and body image."
Acknowledge and Move On
Briefly acknowledge their comment and then change the subject.
"Got it. So, have you seen any good movies lately?"
Educate Gently
If you think the person might be receptive, share some information about why diet talk can be harmful.
"I’ve read that talking about diets can sometimes make us feel worse about ourselves. I’m trying to avoid that kind of stress."
Use "I" Statements
Communicate your feelings and preferences without making the other person feel attacked.
"I feel more at ease when we don’t talk about dieting."
Practicing these responses can help you navigate diet talk gracefully and maintain healthy boundaries.
We all have a personal responsibility to notice what you say to others and cut down on our own diet culture chat.
Be kind to yourself,
M x
