Why We Need to Talk Less About Diets—and More About Our Worth
You don’t realize just how much people talk about diets and losing weight—until it’s the last thing you want to hear about. These conversations sneak their way into almost every aspect of daily life: office chit-chat, family dinners, brunch with friends, even doctor's appointments. Suddenly, you notice it everywhere. And it's exhausting.
But it's not surprising when you look at the numbers. According to a study by Within Health, 80% of Americans have been on a diet at some point, and nearly half of Americans are on one right now. Diet culture isn’t just prevalent—it’s practically embedded in our cultural DNA.
What’s the common thread in all these conversations? It usually boils down to this idea:
Losing weight or having a thinner body = good.
Gaining weight or having a larger body = bad.
This narrative is everywhere. It’s in how we talk about food ("I was so bad today"), how we compliment each other ("You look great—have you lost weight?"), and even how we assign value to ourselves. Somewhere along the way, the way we eat and how our bodies look became a reflection of our character. Food and body image have become markers for questions like:
Am I healthy enough?
Am I disciplined enough?
Am I good enough?
We’re fed the illusion that if we just stick to the right plan or lose enough weight, happiness and confidence are waiting for us at the finish line of our “wellness journey.” We’re told that transformation will fix everything—that it will make us more lovable, successful, and fulfilled.
And honestly, it’s hard not to believe that. This message is constantly reinforced through media, marketing, fitness trends, and even healthcare. The diet industry alone is worth billions. It thrives on making us feel like we’re always one step away from being “enough.”
But let’s be clear: this mindset isn’t just unhelpful—it’s harmful. It can damage our physical health through restrictive eating and over-exercising. It affects our mental health by fueling anxiety, shame, and disordered eating. And it damages our emotional well-being by making our self-worth conditional.
This culture also intersects with deeper systemic issues. The ideal body that’s often glorified—thin, white, able-bodied, and youthful—reflects racist, sexist, and ableist standards that marginalize many people. (For further reading on this, check out Fearing the Black Body by Sabrina Strings.)
So what can we do?
We challenge the narrative. Over and over again. Unlearning deeply ingrained beliefs takes time and intentional effort. But it’s possible. Here are a few ways to start:
Educate yourself. Knowledge is powerful. Books like Fearing the Black Body, The Body is Not an Apology by Sonya Renee Taylor, and More Than a Body by Lexie and Lindsay Kite offer powerful insights into how body image and self-worth are shaped by society.
Diversify your social media feeds. If you only follow influencers and brands that promote a single body ideal, it’s easy to think there’s one “right” way to have a body. Seek out creators of different sizes, races, genders, and abilities to broaden your perspective and normalize body diversity.
Find community. Doing this work alone can feel overwhelming. Connect with others who are also unlearning diet culture and redefining health and self-worth on their own terms. Support makes a big difference.
At the end of the day, your body is not a problem to be fixed. You are not a “before” photo waiting to become an “after.” You are already whole—and you deserve to live fully, right now, without apology.
Challenging body image issues, disordered eating, or the emotional toll of diet culture is not something you have to navigate on your own. Seeking help isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s a powerful step toward healing. If you or someone you know needs support, do not hesitate to reach out.
