Diet Culture Dropout

Protein is everywhere. From protein coffee and cereal to bars, popcorn and even cocktails, we've become obsessed with maximizing one nutrient. But do we actually need more protein—or have we forgotten about carbohydrates, fibre, fats and enough overall food?

In this episode I interview Bhavin, a rare male registereddietitian based in Waterloo, Ontario. Bhavin shares his non-linear journey to becoming a dietitian and dives into the cultural and societal pressures men face regarding diet and body image. Exploring Eurocentric norms and diet culture on South Asian diets. Bhavin also addresses common myths about South Asian diets and the carnivore diet. He highlights the importance of seeking credible sources for health information and emphasizes setting boundaries around harmful dietary comments within cultural contexts. Connect with Bhavin: Instagram Linked In Tik Tok ✨Do you need personalized and inclusive nutrition or therapy support? Book a ⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠free 20 minute discovery call ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ with our team at Peacefully Nourished. We help support you in your definition of health and wellbeing without diet culture. ➡️ You can also join the monthly newsletter to keep yourself updated on the latest podcast episodes, freebies, workshops and food freedom tips. You can ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠join the community here!⁠⁠

In this episode we explore the reality that healing our relationship with food is rarely just about food. Together, we discuss how eating struggles are often intertwined with stress, perfectionism, anxiety, identity, trauma, burnout, and our relationships with ourselves and others. Throughout the conversation, we unpack: Why food behaviours often serve a protective purpose How dieting and wellness culture can disconnect us from ourselves The emotional and relational layers underneath eating struggles The overlap between nutrition counselling and psychotherapy How body image, shame, and self-worth often become deeply intertwined What compassionate, collaborative care can look like Why healing is less about “fixing yourself” and more about building self-understanding and self-trust We also discuss the importance of trauma-informed and weight-inclusive care, and the growing need for accessible eating disorder and body image support within our community. Whether you’re navigating your own relationship with food and body, supporting someone you love, or simply curious about therapy and healing work, we hope this conversation offers reassurance, reflection, and a gentler perspective. If you’ve been wondering whether therapy could be supportive for you, Rae offers a warm, non-judgmental space to begin exploring that curiosity at your own pace. We’re so grateful to have Rae joining the Peacefully Nourished team and cannot wait for you to get to know her. Resources: NEDIC Body Brave Virgina Sole Smith Book Fat Talk Nalgona Positivity Pride Poster Learn More About Rae: About her work Connecting with Rae ✨Do you need personalized and inclusive nutrition or therapy support? Book a ⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠free 20 minute discovery call ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ with our team at Peacefully Nourished. We help support you in your definition of health and wellbeing without diet culture. ➡️ You can also join the quarterly newsletter to keep yourself updated on the latest podcast episodes, freebies, workshops and food freedom tips. You can ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠join the community here!⁠⁠

In this episode of Diet Culture Dropout, we welcome areturning guest Jessica Curran. A registered psychotherapist and Canadian Certified Counselor from Madoc, Ontario. We chat all things about how to find a therapist who is a good fit while considering how weight bias can enter therapy andhealthcare spaces. We explore why many therapists aren’t trained in eating disorders, body image, or weight stigma, and offer practical tips for searching for one. Resources Mentioned: Kid book suggestions: a) Fat talk Book by Virginia Sole-Smith b) Bodies Are Cool by Tyler Feder c) BIG by Vashti Harrison Connect with Jess by her website Info about her Supervision + Consultation is here ✨Do you need personalized and inclusive nutrition or therapy support? Book a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠free 20 minute discovery call ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ with our team at Peacefully Nourished. We help support you in your definition of health and wellbeing without diet culture. ➡️ You can also join the monthly newsletter to keep yourself updated on the latest podcast episodes, freebies, workshops and food freedom tips. You can ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠join the community here!⁠⁠

In this episode of Diet Culture Dropout, we are joined by renowned dietitian Julie Duffy Dillon. The discussion revolves around managing Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) without the influence of diet culture. Julie shares her journey from traditional dietetics to becoming a weight-inclusive and Health at Every Size (HAES) practitioner, especially in the treatment of PCOS. She details her experiences and strategies for helping clients manage PCOS through intuitive eating and non-diet approaches. The episode covers key PCOS myths, common misconceptions, the relationship between PCOS and eating disorders, and practical, non-diet nutritional recommendations for those affected by PCOS. Connect with Julie by: Website Podcast Her Book ✨Do you need personalized and inclusive nutrition support? Book a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠free 20 minute discovery call ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ with Atheana Brown today to get supported on healing your relationship with food + body. ➡️ You can also join the monthly newsletter to keepyourself updated on the latest podcast episodes, freebies, workshops and food freedom tips. You can ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠join the community here!⁠

In this compelling episode of Diet Culture Dropout, we welcome Larissa Ends, a dietitian and certified diabetes educator based in Edmonton, Alberta. Together, we delve into the topic of GLP-1 medications, such as Ozempic and Wegovy, exploring their uses, side effects, and real-world implications. Larissa shares her insights from clinical research trials and discusses the complex interplay between these medications and weight management, diabetes control, and overall well-being. We also touch on the societal impact of diet culture and the importance of informed consent when considering these medications. Whether you're a healthcare professional, a patient, or someone interested in the topic, this episode provides valuable perspectives on GLP-1 medications. Connect with Larissa by: Email larissa@thenourishcollective.ca Website Instagram @ the_nourishco ✨Do you need personalized and inclusive nutrition support? Book a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠free 20 minute discovery call ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ with Atheana Brown today to get supported on healing your relationship with food + body. ➡️ You can also join the monthly newsletter to keepyourself updated on the latest podcast episodes, freebies, workshops and food freedom tips. You can ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠join the community here!⁠

In this episode of Diet Culture Dropout, I welcome back Jennifer Neale, a registered dietician and certified intuitive eating counselor, to discuss the current social media trend of dieticians sharing honest advice without sugarcoating. We dive into various misconceptions around dieting, body image, and health, emphasizing the importance of considering social determinants of health, moving away from restrictive eating, and being critical of health information from social media. We also highlight the crucial role of fiber, the benefits of community support, and the emotional components linked with food and body image. The latter half of the discussion focuses on the impact of clothing, the importance of capturing family moments regardless of body size, and practical advice for protecting children from diet culture. Connect with Jennifer by: Website Instagram Her Podcast ✨Do you need personalized and inclusive nutrition support? Book a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠free 20 minute discovery call ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ with Atheana Brown today to get supported on healing your relationship with food + body. ➡️ You can also join the monthly newsletter to keepyourself updated on the latest podcast episodes, freebies, workshops and food freedom tips. You can ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠join the community here!⁠

If you’ve ever asked, “But how do I know if it’sworking?” when moving away from dieting, this one’s for you. We’ll explore what growth really looks like when your goals aren’t about weight loss — from reclaiming peace at mealtime, to reconnecting with hunger cues, to feeling at home in your body again. ✨Do you need personalized and inclusive nutrition support? Book a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠free 20 minute discovery call ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ with Atheana Brown today to get supported on healing your relationship with food + body. ➡️ You can also join the monthly newsletter to keep yourself updated on the latest podcast episodes, freebies, workshops and food freedom tips. You can ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠join the community here!⁠

In this episode of Diet Culture Dropout, the focus is on the concept of food neutrality. Atheana shares that food neutrality involves removing moral judgments from food, emphasizing that food choices do not reflect a person's character. Labels such as 'good' or 'bad' food can shape how individuals view food and themselves, leading to shame and unhealthy eating behaviors. This episode gives you practical steps for practicing food neutrality along with sme journal prompts to help you reflect deeper. Journal Prompts: If you’d like to reflect more on this, here are a couple of journal prompts you can try: What foods did you grow up hearing were “good” or “bad”? How has that shaped your own relationship with food? How would it feel to describe food in terms of taste, texture, or experience instead of health value? Think of a time you felt guilty about eating something—how might food neutrality have shifted that experience? And if you’re a parent: How can I begin to shift the way I talk about food in front of my child? What messages about food do I want my child to carry into adulthood? ✨Do you need personalized and inclusive nutrition support? Book a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠free 20 minute discovery call ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ with Atheana Brown today to get supported on healing your relationship with food + body. ➡️ You can also join the monthly newsletter to keep yourself updated on the latest podcast episodes, freebies, workshops and food freedom tips. You can ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠join the community here!⁠

In this episode of Diet Culture Dropout, the focus is on the power of self-compassion in overcoming disordered eating and body image issues. Atheana discusses the significance of treating oneself with the same kindness shown to a good friend, as outlined by researcher Kristin Neff. Self-compassion is broken down into self-kindness, common humanity, and mindfulness. Practical steps to incorporate self-compassion include recognizing critical self-talk, reminding oneself of shared humanity, offering self-kindness, and practicing gentle self-care. The episode offers journal prompts and examples to help reframe negative thoughts, emphasizing the importance of creating a supportive inner environment for healing. The importance of consistent practice in developing new, positive thought patterns is highlighted through the concept of neuroplasticity. Resources: Kristen Neff's Workbook - The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook Kristen Neff's Website ✨Do you need personalized and inclusive nutrition support? Book a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠free 20 minute discovery call ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ with Atheana Brown today to get supported on healing your relationship with food + body. ➡️ You can also join the monthly newsletter to keep yourself updated on the latest podcast episodes, freebies, workshops and food freedom tips. You can ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠join the community here!⁠⁠

In this episode Atheana welcomes Courtney McCarthy, a certified fitness instructor and confidence coach, who advocates for body positivity and neutrality in fitness. Courtney shares her unique journey from a government career to the fitness industry, sparked by a transformative Zumba class experience. She discusses the importance of building body trust through fitness and how societal norms and diet culture can erode this trust. Courtney offers practical advice on redefining success in fitness through qualitative measures, seeking out playful movement, and the value of diverse, community-based support. She emphasizes the importance of curiosity in exploring different types of movement and the need to challenge and change limiting beliefs about exercise. Connect with her by: Instagram Website ✨Do you need personalized and inclusive nutrition support? Book a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠free 20 minute discovery call ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ with Atheana Brown today to get supported on healing your relationship with food + body. ➡️ You can also join the monthly newsletter to keepyourself updated on the latest podcast episodes, freebies, workshops and food freedom tips. You can ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠join the community here!⁠

In this episode Atheana is joined by Kelsey Cici, a registered social worker and trauma therapist based in the Kawartha Lakes. The conversation delves into the connections between trauma, the nervous system, and relationships with food and body image, exploring how trauma manifests in the body and different modalities to support trauma processing. Kelsey explains concepts like interoception, neuroception, and the roles of various parts of self, introducing therapeutic techniques such as Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). The discussion also addresses how diet culture impacts individuals, especially children, and emphasizes the importance of open communication and fostering a healthy environment both for oneself and for youth. Connect with Kelsey by: Instagram Website ✨Do you need personalized and inclusive nutrition support?Book a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠free 20 minute discovery call ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ with Atheana Brown today to get supported on healing your relationship with food + body. ➡️ You can also join the monthly newsletter to keepyourself updated on the latest podcast episodes, freebies, workshops and food freedom tips. You can ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠join the community here!⁠

In this episode of Diet Culture Dropout, the host welcomes Dr.Hilary Claire, a clinical psychologist specializing in supporting mothers with stress, burnout, and parenting challenges. Dr. Claire discusses the topic of picky eating from a psychological perspective, emphasizing the importance of creating a calm and safe mealtime environment. She highlights factors thatinfluence selective eating, such as parental behavior, sensory issues, and physiological problems. Dr. Clare also stresses the need for early intervention and holistic approaches to address picky eating. Additionally, she provides practical tipsfor parents, such as maintaining a neutral stance on food, focusing on relational aspects during mealtimes, and checking one's own relationship with food to model healthy eating behaviors. The conversation concludes with advice for parents on protecting children from diet culture and where listeners can learn more about Dr. Claire’s work. Connect with Hilary Claire by: Website Instagram Podcast ✨Do you need personalized and inclusive support?Book a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠free 20 minute discovery call ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ with AtheanaBrown today to get supported on healing your relationship with food + body. ➡️ You can also join the monthly newsletter to keepyourself updated on the latest podcast episodes, freebies, workshops and food freedom tips. You can ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠join the community here!⁠

In this episode of Diet Culture Dropout Atheana welcomes Ashley Webster to discuss her journey with ADHD and motherhood. Ashley shares her experience of being diagnosed with ADHD after postpartum depression and sleep deprivation led to severe burnout. She advocates for mental health awareness, particularly for mothers, and talks about the societal challenges faced by neurodivergent individuals. Ashley also discusses the misdiagnosis of women, the impact of genetic and societal factors on ADHD, and the importance of asking for help. Additionally, she highlights her work in creatingADHD-friendly journals and her efforts to support mental health care through her social media platforms. Connect with Ashley by: Instagram @ashwebsterADHD TikTok Ashely's notebooks: Mental Health Support Notebook ADHD Friendly Notebook ✨Do you need personalized and inclusive support? Book a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠free 20 minute discovery call ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ with Atheana Brown today to get supported on healing your relationship with food + body. ➡️ You can also join the monthly newsletter to keep yourself updated on the latest podcast episodes, freebies, workshops and food freedom tips. You can ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠join the community here!⁠

Atheana welcomes Vincci Tsui, a dietitian, to discuss bariatric surgery. Vincci shares her extensive background, including her shift to weight-inclusive practices. They delve into Vincci's personal experiences working in bariatric surgery, the complexities of such procedures, and the challenges faced by patients, such as diet culture and weight stigma. Vincci offers insights into the inadequacies of current screening for eating disorders and the fallout of weight regain post-surgery. They also address the rise of GLP-1 medications. Vincci emphasizes the importance of informed consent, continuous support, and the need for dietitians and medical providers to adopt a more weight-inclusive approach. Connect with Vincci by: Website Instagram Weight Inclusive Dietitian in Canada ✨Do you need personalized and inclusive support? Book a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠free 20 minute discovery call ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ with Atheana Brown today to get supported on healing your relationship with food + body. ➡️ You can also join the monthly newsletter to keep yourself updated on the latest podcast episodes, freebies, workshops and food freedom tips. You can ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠join the community here!⁠

In this solo episode of Diet Culture Dropout, Atheana discusses the challenges and emotional complexities of taking and evaluating photos, especially concerning body image. The episode offers strategies for making the process easier, emphasizing the importance of self-compassion and mindfulness. It suggests grounding techniques like journaling about the event and connecting to sensory experiences before viewing photos. Atheana also draws an analogy to taking pictures of the moon and nature to highlight how photos can never fully capture the depth and beauty of a moment. Lastly, the importance of being present in photos for the sake of memories and future generations is stressed. ✨Do you need personalized and inclusive support? Book a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠free 20 minute discovery call ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ with Atheana Brown today to get supported on healing your relationship with food + body. ➡️ You can also join the monthly newsletter to keep yourself updated on the latest podcast episodes, freebies, workshops and food freedom tips. You can ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠join the community here!⁠

In this episode we welcome Mark Breedon, a fitness professional from Calgary, Alberta, known for his non-diet, weight-neutral approach to fitness. We banter about the rarity of men in the anti-diet culture space and the skepticism Breedon initially faced. Breedon shares his journey from a weight-focused fitness approach to a weight-neutral philosophy, emphasizing the mental and physical benefits of focusing on non-aesthetic goals. We talk about the misconceptions around weight and health, and the significant positive impact of even minimal exercise on overall well-being. Breedon highlights the importance of finding new motivations for fitness beyond weight loss and offers encouragement for those looking to reintegrate movement into their lives post-dieting. Connect with Mark by: ⁠hello@fireflynutrition.com.au⁠ Website⁠ Podcast: Badass Lifter Podcast ✨Do you need personalized and inclusive support? Book a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠free 20 minute discovery call ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ with Atheana Brown today to get supported on healing your relationship with food + body. ➡️ You can also join the monthly newsletter to keep yourself updated on the latest podcast episodes, freebies, workshops and food freedom tips. You can ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠join the community here!⁠

The podcast addresses the common issue of neglectinghunger during work, resulting in binge eating later. It offers 9 tips on ways to manage this common behaviour. Atheana emphasizes the importance of making eating a priority for maintaining energy and overall well-being. ✨Do you need personalized and inclusive support? Book a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠free 20 minute discovery call ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ with Atheana Brown today to get supported on healing your relationship with food + body. ➡️ You can also join the monthly newsletter to keep yourself updated on the latest podcast episodes, freebies, workshops and food freedom tips. You can ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠join the community here!⁠

In this episode of Die Culture Dropout, Atheana interviews Kate McGill, an accredited dietician and body image coach from Sydney, Australia. Kate discusses her background and personal journey with body image issues and disordered eating, which fueled her passion for helping others. The central topic is how parents and caregivers can be positive body image role models for children and young teens. Kate emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, mindful language, and criticism of diet culture in the home. She also highlights the significant negative impacts of body dissatisfaction, including dieting, low self-esteem, and risky behaviors. Practical strategies are offered, such as setting boundaries against negative body talk and encouraging critical thinking in children. The episode concludes with a reminder that while it's impossible to completely shield children from diet culture, modeling positive behavior and creating a supportive environment can go a long way in fostering healthy body image. Connect with Kate by: hello@fireflynutrition.com.au Instagram Website ✨Do you need personalized and inclusive support? Book a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠free 20 minute discovery call ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ with Atheana Brown today to get supported on healing your relationship with food + body. ➡️ You can also join the monthly newsletter to keep yourself updated on the latest podcast episodes, freebies, workshops and food freedom tips. You can ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠join the community here!⁠

In this episode Atheana welcomes Jen, a mother who shares the emotional journey of her daughter's eating disorder. They discuss the various signs and behaviors that led to the diagnosis, including excessive exercise and food restriction, amidst the backdrop of COVID-19. Jen reflects on her initial understanding as a guidance counselor, the impact of diet culture, and the role of a medical team in her daughter’s recovery. The discussion also highlights the immense support from family and friends, strategies for managing at home, the importance of a parent support group, and the journey towards a healthier relationship with food and body image. Jen concludes by sharing advice for other parents and educators on how to create a supportive environment for children, emphasizing kindness and the removal of scales to combat diet culture. ✨Do you need personalized and inclusive support? Book a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠free 20 minute discovery call ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ with Atheana Brown today to get supported on healing your relationship with food + body. ➡️ You can also join the monthly newsletter to keep yourself updated on the latest podcast episodes, freebies, workshops and food freedom tips. You can ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠join the community here!⁠