Just Stop "What I Eat in a Day"
JUST STOP. FitPros, nutritionists, influencers, celebs — let’s end the “WHAT I EAT IN A DAY” nonsense!
What is the problem with it? Well, there are several:
EVERYBODY (& EVERY BODY) IS DIFFERENT!
What works for me probably won’t work for you! The energy and nutrients one person requires can be vastly different from the next. Preference and taste varies widely, not to mention genetics, metabolism, and life stage.
Keep in mind that most of the people sharing food diaries aren’t qualified to give out nutrition advice. Even if they are, a meal plan specific to that professional does not equal a nutritional approach that is right for your unique body.
SNAPSHOTS AREN’T THE WHOLE STORY!
Chances are, a “WHAT I EAT IN A DAY” diary has been curated to reflect a particular image. It is often a carefully planned menu of what that person thinks of as their “ideal day.” It does not account for day-to-day changes in eating, activity, or mood!
It is also just a snapshot of a person’s life. It does not tell you about mental health or overall wellness. They may be engaging in dieting, disordered eating, negative self talk, and over-exercising, whether aware of it or not. The diet they champion may be resulting in nutritional deficiencies that are not visible to the naked eye.
Remember, even if the share is coming from a “certified health professional,” it does not necessarily mean that their approach is “healthy.” Many fitness and nutrition pros — including myself — have been inspired to enter the field due to their own personal struggles. You have no way of knowing just from a snapshot where a person is in their recovery from disordered eating and exercise. Oh, and that fitness influencer you admire? She may have traded an eating disorder for the more socially acceptable “fitspo” version where, unfortunately, her life still revolves around a focus on what her body looks like. I know, because I’ve been there!
COMPARISON IS A B*TCH!
“WHAT I EAT IN A DAY” posts are rooted in our society’s toxic diet culture. They promote comparison and imply that we can (and should) change our bodies to look like someone else’s by adopting their eating patterns (whether healthy or not). This message keeps us obsessing and comparing to others instead of helping us learn how to connect to our intuition and take care of our own bodies.
The comparison trap is real, and it will always leave you never feeling good enough. Recognize that, if you are attracted to “WHAT I EAT IN A DAY” posts, you may be struggling with body image. Beware of urges to compare your food intake, workouts, or body to others. When you do start to compare, remind yourself that everybody is different. You are worthy of focusing on yourself, learning what works for you, and not letting comparison get in the way of your health and happiness. Remember this mantra — “Keep your eyes on your own plate!”
Freedom from comparison, obsession, and disordered eating and exercise is possible. If you are ready to learn how to let go of toxic diet and weight loss culture and discover how to truly take care of your own unique body through mindful movement and intuitive eating, I can help. Let’s connect!
