Spotting & Challenging Diet Culture

Diet culture is an oppressive system, not an individual failing, and untangling yourself from it is possible, but it takes support. Learn how the IIRR approach can set you free!

Diet culture is everywhere. It tells us that our worth is tied to our weight, that smaller bodies are better, and that health can only be achieved through restrictive eating. However, diet culture is a system, not an individual failing, and untangling yourself from it is possible, but it takes support.

What is Diet Culture?

Diet culture is a system of beliefs that values weight, appearance, and thinness over other areas of health. It culminates in or contributes to oppression and inequity. Diet culture is an oppressive system that tells people what to eat, how to look, when to exercise, and how much to exercise. It excludes individuals who don’t fit these guidelines or aren’t trying to comply with these “rules.”

Diet culture intersects with diabetes, and this makes dealing with diabetes even harder. Let’s acknowledge diabetes is a complex condition that diet culture has made us believe “Weight loss can cure diabetes.” (This isn’t true!)

Diet culture manifests in many ways, including:

• The belief that weight loss is the primary path to health.

• Labeling foods as "clean" or "junk."

• Moralizing food choices (e.g., "I was bad for eating dessert").

• Pressure to shrink your body to fit societal beauty ideals.

The fish in the ocean don’t think about the water. We don’t think about this oppressive system we live in. For many people, stepping away from diet culture can feel uncomfortable because it is unfamiliar.

Welcome to No Weight Loss Required, your space for weight-inclusive care for people looking to prevent or manage diabetes. NWLR is offering an 8-week Weight-Inclusive Mindful Eating Program. This program provides a weekly way to explore food freedom and self-care without obsessing over the scale. You will get exclusive articles and a Weekly Chat via Substack, culminating in a Final Substack Live on April 30, from 8–9 pm EDT—all at no extra cost for paid No Weight Loss Required subscribers.