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:
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:
✨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:
✨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:
✨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
✨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:
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
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:
✨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!
We welcome back Renee Little for another episode. Talking today about continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), exploring their pros, cons, and Renée's personal experience using one for 10 days.
We discuss the origins and intended use of CGMs for people with diabetes, along with concerns about its misinterpretation and potential harm when used by non-diabetics. Renée shares insights from her experiment, highlighting the technical and psychological impacts of using a CGM device.
Resources Mentioned:
Check out Renee's blog post: Continuous Glucose Monitoring is it a "Biohack" or Hype?
Book suggestion for kids: Her Body Can by Ady Meschke and Katie Crenshaw
Connect with Renee by:
✨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!
Welcome back! After a 3 month pause on the podcast I ma back and excited to connect you with more content.
This episode I share what:
Join the free Self- Care Challenge?
Do you have a topic or question you would like me to add to the podcast? Please send it to hello@peacefullynourished.ca
✨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!
This week we welcome Laura Jean, a dietitian from Australia. We dive deep into understanding and identifying personal values, disconnecting from diet culture, and aligning actions with core values in various aspects of life, including parenting, business, and personal growth. The discussion encapsulates the importance of curiosity, connection, and compassion in grounding oneself in authentic values and making intentional changes away from the default cultural narratives.
Connect with Laura:
✨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!
This podcast episode explores the concept of food addiction, questioning its validity by comparing essential life functions like eating to non-essential substance addictions. It emphasizes the role of dietary restrictions in perceived food addiction. Through various studies, including those on fasting-induced sugar binging in rats and cultural food pairings, the episode highlights how restrictions increase cravings and dopamine responses, leading to binge eating behaviors. Atheana advocates for intuitive eating and habituation to reduce compulsive eating, suggesting that food addiction might be more about restricted access than addiction itself.
✨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!
This week's episode on Diet Culture Dropout details tips for easing into school routines, particularly focusing on children's lunchtime habits and environments. I share ten practical tips for a more successful school lunch. I also emphasizes minimizing food policing and pressure, involving kids in meal planning, and maintaining open communication with teachers to align on food rules and practices. Central to the discussion is fostering a positive, pressure-free food relationship and ensuring meals align with family values, especially amidst diverse, sometimes conflicting school environments.
Other related podcast episodes:
4. Diet Culture In Elementary Schools with Gwne Kostal
5. Shifting the Classroom Feeding Dynamics with Kate Winn
Get the lunch box card here
Canada's Food Guide Tool Kit for Educators
✨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 Deet Culture Dropouts, host welcomes Sarah Berneche, a registered nutritionist and somatic experiencing student, to discuss the complex relationship between food and trauma. Sarah shares her journey into nutrition, inspired by her own struggles with disordered eating and the normalization of unhealthy food relationships in society.
She delves into how trauma can affect eating habits and overall health. Sarah also explores intuitive eating in the context of trauma survivors, explaining the importance of a regulated nervous system for developing a healthy relationship with food. The conversation includes practical strategies for nervous system regulation and the significance of 'glimmers'—positive, grounding experiences. This episode serves as a comprehensive guide on how trauma can impact food choices and offers gentle practices for healing and fostering internal freedom.
Connect with Sarah By:
Website: sarahberneche.com
FREE Feel Safe with Food Masterclass
✨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!