Before we get into the questions, I want to say this out loud—mostly to the younger version of me who needed it:
Diet culture stole entire years from me. It stole rest. It stole holiday magic. It stole my ability to sit at a table and taste what was right in front of me. It stole connection and presence. It turned gatherings into anxiety. It turned food into mental math and moral rules instead of something shared and human.
Doing this work—untangling from all of that—is worth it not because it’s “inspiring” or “empowering,” but because it gives us back the moments we were robbed of. The quiet ones, the joyful ones, the messy ones. The ones where we get to come home to ourselves.
So if you’re heading into this season feeling overwhelmed, under-rested, or bracing yourself for the inevitable comments about food, bodies, health, or “being good”…
You’re in good company. And you deserve the peace that comes with trusting your own body and finding ways to set boundaries with your people.
Below are the questions I’m answering this month’s community Q&A episode (thinking we should call these Q&As our monthly Full Plate Potluck??? Anyone?!🤣).
These are real questions from listeners—shaped by real lives and real examples of how diet culture still tries to sneak in through the back door like a cold draft.
My thoughts on the first two questions are free for everyone, and the rest are behind the paywall.
Join as a paid subscriber for access to this full Q&A, all other bonus content, and (most importantly!!) my undying love and gratitude for helping to keep the lights on around here.
Here’s what we’re getting into in this episode:
Question 1: Prioritizing rest while others are prioritizing diet culture
“The holidays are such a busy, high-energy time, and I often feel torn between wanting to rest and enjoy quiet moments, and keeping up with everything around me. I also notice that at family or friends’ gatherings, people sometimes comment on food—what’s healthy, what’s indulgent, what they’re ‘allowing’ themselves—and it can be exhausting. How can I prioritize rest and still navigate these food and health conversations without stress or guilt?”
Question 2: Clothing, Consumerism, and Body Image “Fixes”
“The pull towards consumerism is especially strong this time of year. Sometimes I fall into the trap of thinking if I had the ‘right clothes’ I would feel better in my body. It leads to scrolling, but it doesn’t align with my values to spend a lot of money or time on shopping or fast fashion. What can I lean into instead of looking for a ‘fix’ for my body image, especially when wearing clothes that fit can feel transformational?”
Question 3: The Temptation to Restrict with Body Comparison (to our former selves and others)
“Navigating the temptation for comparison is hard for me, whether to my previous body or to others who are entrenched in diet culture. Deep down, I want to stay true to my values and true to the journey I’ve been on. Any strategies for quieting these insecurities or tips for re-centering when the world around me is whispering diet culture?”
Question 4: Other People’s Opinions and Choices with Food
“I struggle not only with what other people’s think, but why it bothers my thoughts. So what others eat and don’t eat (especially what they don’t, my partner specifically). How do I just let it go and let them ‘do them’?”
Question 5: Comparison and Boundaries with Close Friends and Family
“Comparison is also a big issue for me. How do I stay cool when well-meaning people (who I have to see again and again and again) say diet culture stuff?”
Lots to get into this week!
I hope you enjoy this episode, and please use the comments to let me know what questions you have for our next Q&A!
