NEWS RELEASE
WATERLOO-WELLINGTON EATING DISORDERS COALITION
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For 10 years, Guelph’s downtown businesses have participated in celebrating International No Diet Day (May 6). From May 3-10, numerous businesses, stores and restaurants will once again post window signage that promotes healthy body image and the acceptance of natural body shapes and sizes. Every day, people are exposed to media messages which promote dieting and encourage general body dissatisfaction -most of which then feeds the banks of multi-billion dollar beauty, fitness and diet industries. Unrealistic and often unhealthy standards of beauty and attractiveness dictate societal norms. These can contribute to issues such as low self-esteem, depression and anxiety, all degrees of food and weight obsessions, in addition to distorted and often dangerous relationships with food and body.
The goal of the International No Diet Day campaign Is to challenge the idea that there is but one acceptable body size or shape. It is a time to push back against those industries that promote and benefit from harmful diet culture. Sponsored by the Waterloo-Wellington Eating Disorders Coalition, this community event strives to encourage people to “trash the diet” and adopt body acceptance, and maybe even a healthy dose of self-love!
Here are 6 ways you can participate in International No Diet Day (and beyond!)
1) Eat when your body tells you it needs fuel. You may experience stomach grumbling, but other signs of hunger may include feeling tired or irritable, having trouble concentrating/making decisions, having a headache or feeling nauseous. Don’t allow yourself to eat only at certain times of the day as your body will alert you as to when it needs food.
2) Notice how your body responds to food and eat a portion size that satisfies your hunger, energizes you or tastes good to you. “Portion size” is different from “Serving size” which is listed on a food package. Your body may need more than the “Serving size” amount that is listed/suggested. The “Portion size” is the amount YOU choose to eat of a given food because it is what satisfies your hunger, energizes you, or tastes good to you.
3) Refrain from labelling foods as “good” “bad” “junk” “healthy” or “unhealthy”. You may substitute these words with “ everyday foods”, “sometimes foods” or even “fun foods”. Ditch the guilt associated with eating. All foods can fit within your daily eating routine.
4) Recognize that you may eat for a wide variety of reasons, including being able to meet your energy and nutrient needs, as part of participating in social occasions and for pleasure or comfort. If eating more or less than your body would like is your only coping strategy for managing certain emotions, try to find some support to expand your coping toolbox.
5) Experiment with different activities to find one you enjoy. Moving your body is meant to be enjoyable and should not be overly challenging, painful, or used as a form of punishment in compensation for eating certain foods. Exercise because you love your body, not because you hate it!
6) Unfollow social media accounts that promote restrictive diets, weight loss medications/supplements or an ideal, singular body type. Instead, follow accounts that promote nourishment, joyful movement, and body acceptance for all shapes and sizes. Check out the website: eatingdisorderscoalition.ca for additional resources including engaging blogs. And…be sure to stroll downtown to see storefront body affirmations between May 3 -10!
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