In 2019, I embarked on an incredible journey to Spain with a group of fabulous women I had never met before. It was on this trip that I indulged in chocolate croissants, scrumptious cakes, savory paella, beef cheeks, hams, cheeses, and mouthwatering Spanish tortillas. I sipped on countless glasses of wine and sangria, never once feeling shame about how much I enjoyed every single bite and sip. It was pure bliss, a sense of freedom, and a newfound appreciation for life without obsessing over my body or potential weight gain.
If I’d taken this trip just five or six years earlier, my experience would have been drastically different. Back then, I was trapped in the clutches of diet culture and obsessed with maintaining a smaller body. The mere thought of going on vacation without complete control over my food choices would’ve caused me extreme anxiety.
Diet culture has stolen the joy of food from many of us, making us forget that eating should be a pleasurable experience, not one riddled with guilt or fear of gaining weight. Food is a way of experiencing culture, creating memories, and sharing love with one another. But when we label food as “good” or “bad,” we not only rob ourselves of the pleasure of eating, but we also fall into a cycle of guilt and shame about an essential part of living.
Our perception of food is deeply influenced by racism, white supremacy, and anti-fatness. Diet culture has historically upheld foods associated with whiteness as the “right” way to eat. Furthermore, the push for “organic” and whole foods is steeped in racism, ableism, and capitalism, as it fails to acknowledge the lack of access to quality fresh fruits and vegetables for many people.
Diet culture not only robs us of the joy of food but also deprives us of the beautiful experience of life. We’ve spent so much time and energy worrying about our appearance or feeling uncomfortable in our own skin that we’re unable to be fully present in each moment.
I don’t believe people fail at diets; I think diets and diet culture have failed us. The pursuit of fat loss is often an attempt to gain access to the privileges that come with living in a smaller body, closer to Eurocentric beauty standards.
Growing up, I was bombarded with images of beauty that seemed unattainable for a young Black girl. I spent years chasing thinness, only to realize that Eurocentric standards of beauty are rooted in white supremacy and racism.
Our bodies are constantly changing, and we have no ultimate control over these changes. We can choose to break free from diet culture and anti-fatness, creating a reality where we can fully enjoy food, experiences, and life without being consumed by body obsession.
When I’m on my deathbed, I won’t reminisce about denying myself a slice of cake or maintaining six-pack abs. Instead, I’ll cherish the memories of picnics in the park, laughter-filled wine nights with friends, and the amazing chocolate croissants I enjoyed in Madrid.
On my deathbed, I’ll remember the incredible experiences this body allowed me to have.
