I stood in line at the bagel shop, eagerly anticipating my lunch: a tuna and avocado sandwich on a whole wheat bagel. As I placed my order, my lunch date's reaction was unexpected. She appeared shocked and stumbled over her words, questioning my choice. It made me wonder: why the aversion to a simple sandwich? Are we really afraid of certain foods? Do we think that eating a sandwich is not a good choice and that it will make you “fat”?
I can remember that during the 1990’s our country entered a “low-fat” craze. I can remember Snackwell cookies and it was an absolute phenomenon! They were advertised as no-fat cookies.The food industry substituted vegetable fats for animal fats in a profound way, and substituted sugars for fats, and kept the calorie content of the products exactly the same. The "low-fat" message was interpreted as, if you had a product that was low in fat, it was good for you. These messages were deceiving and despite all intentions, the health crisis in America continuted.
Diet culture is a pervasive and insidious force that influences how we perceive food, our bodies, and our health. Sadly, it promotes unrealistic ideals of thinness, equates worth with appearance, and fosters fear and guilt around eating. In reality, carbs, fats, and sugars are not inherently "bad" or "unhealthy." I cook with olive oil and avocado oil all of the time. I love fruits of all kinds. I eat cookies and chocolate cake and whole grain and sourdough breads. I even eat pasta. I love salad and dairy is not my enemy. It's the overconsumption of highly processed and refined versions of these foods, along with a lack of balance and moderation in our diets. And demonizing entire food groups only serves to perpetuate the cycle of diet culture and prevent us from developing a healthy, sustainable approach to eating.
So, how do we change this? I believe that moderation is key when it comes to incorporating carbs, fats, and sugars into our diets. Rather than viewing these nutrients as something to be feared or avoided, we should strive to include them in balanced proportions alongside a variety of whole, nutrient-dense foods.
By listening to our bodies, practicing mindful eating, and rejecting the restrictive mindset that is constantly perpetuated by diet culture, we can empower ourselves to regain our control over food and foster a positive, nourishing relationship with what we eat.