Fighting Diet Culture During Thanksgiving
Every November, as the leaves fall and the weather turns chilly, Thanksgiving arrives! Family and friends reunite to celebrate and reflect through homemade meals and seasonal foods. However, diet culture comments and conversations can take an unexpected seat at the table for those in recovery during the holiday season.
By: Regina Colie
The annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade plays on television screens, and families pack their cars with food. Meals are prepared, table settings are perfected, and guests are excited to catch up with their loved ones. However, for those recovering from an eating disorder, their relationship with Thanksgiving may feel strained, especially as people post about their meals on social media and extended family members hold conversations surrounding weight or calories.
In her article for Washington Post, Pam Moore writes, “whether you're in treatment for an eating disorder or simply trying to cultivate a healthier relationship with food and your body, diet talk surrounding holiday meals — particularly around the Thanksgiving table — can be hard to digest." There is no denying that Thanksgiving is a cultural phenomenon that brings people together. But, the looming cloud of diet culture finds a way to make an appearance during the holiday season. Here are some helpful tips to fight against diet culture this holiday season.
Set Necessary Boundaries
Sometimes you find someone at the Thanksgiving table discussing food, dieting, calories, restriction, or other diet culture-related topics; set boundaries for yourself to avoid any triggering commentary. This article from Eating Disorder Hope explains, "you can choose to walk away, change the subject, or directly tell them what you are feeling." Above all, you should not feel that diet culture dictates your holiday celebrations.
Build Your Support System
Before arriving for any holiday family celebrations, have your support network ready. A family member you can glance at from across the dinner table, a friend who is a quick text away, or a professional support team you can lean on. There is no limit to finding and getting support this holiday season.
Give Yourself A Break
If you find that the festivities become too much or the conversations surrounding diet culture get too overwhelming, you can take a step back and give yourself a break. The most critical aspect of recovery is taking care of yourself. So, if you need a few minutes to catch your breath and relax, you can do so. Thanksgiving is a beautiful time to celebrate with your loved ones, but recovery is a process that takes time and patience, so remember to put yourself and your recovery first.
At BALANCE eating disorder treatment center™, our compassionate, highly skilled team of clinicians is trained in diagnosing and treating the spectrum of eating disorders, including anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, compulsive overeating, and other disordered eating and body image issues.
While the holidays are supposed to be a time of togetherness, tradition, and merriment, it can feel stressful and isolating for those with an eating disorder. Let BALANCE help you navigate the holidays and set the stage for lasting recovery. Our 12-day winter intensive program can help you jump-start your recovery. Our exclusive winter eating disorder treatment program fits conveniently within your winter break schedule, allowing you to invest in transformative care. Connect with our admissions team and learn more about our 12-day winter intensive program here.
This post was written by BALANCE Blog Contributor, Regina Colie (she/her).
Regina Colie is currently pursuing her Masters in General Psychology at The New School For Social Research. She is interested in working with women who have eating disorders and postpartum depression. Upon her graduation from Marymount Manhattan College, she had the opportunity to be published in Dr. Nava Silton’s book, The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Child, Adolescent, and Adult Development. Her previous work has been featured in Project HEAL, BALANCE, Olive Branch Nutrition, and Nourishing NY.
References
Moore, P. (2021, November 9). Thanksgiving means family, food — and plenty of harmful diet talk. Here’s how to deal with it. Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/wellness/thanksgiving-weight-diet-talk-advice/2021/11/08/2d4c4a3e-4007-11ec-9ea7-3eb2406a2e24_story.html
How to Navigate Diet Culture During Thanksgiving. (2022, June 9). Eating Disorder Hope. https://www.eatingdisorderhope.com/blog/how-to-navigate-diet-culture-during-thanksgiving