Food, body & eating~15 minBody image researchBoundaries
Protecting myself from diet culture
Clean up your feed, plan what to say when people talk about weight or food, and protect your recovery.
Exposure to idealized bodies and diet content on social media is linked with worse body image (Fardouly & Vartanian). In one experiment, young people who cut back their social media use for three weeks felt better about their weight and appearance (Thai and colleagues). Planning for diet talk in person protects you too.
Please leave out numbers — weights, sizes, calories or amounts. If you have a treatment team, bring this to them. The National Alliance for Eating Disorders helpline, staffed by therapists on weekdays, is (866) 662-1235In a crisis, call or text 988.
1. Content that leaves me feeling worse
Check any that apply
2. Accounts or apps I'll mute, unfollow or delete
3. What I'll add instead — hobbies, humor, body-neutral or recovery accounts
4. Limits I'll set (app timers, no phone at meals or in bed)
5. Where I run into diet or body talk in person (family, work, friends)
6. What I'll say
"I'm working on not talking about bodies — can we change the subject?"
7. Who can help steer conversations away from it