Breaking Free: Resisting Diet Culture’s Grip on Chronic Illness

In today’s society, diet culture has become pervasive, influencing the way many people perceive their bodies and their relationships with food. While pursuing a healthier lifestyle can have positive effects from some, it can be particularly challenging for individuals living with chronic illnesses. Along the same thread as my last blog post, in this blog post I wanted to explore the profound effects of diet culture on those with chronic conditions and shed light on why a more holistic approach to health may be more crucial to your well-being.

Diet culture often imposes unrealistic and one-size-fits-all beauty standards and ideals of health, promoting the idea that a particular body type equates to success, happiness, and maybe most importantly to those of use with chronic illnesses, “health.” This constant pressure can exacerbate the challenges faced by individuals with chronic illnesses because you may feel compelled to perform to these standards, even if it means pursuing dietary practices that are counterproductive to your specific health needs. I know I have fallen into that trap many times.

One of the most detrimental aspects of diet culture is the emphasis on extreme restriction. Many popular diets promote the elimination of entire food groups or drastic calorie reduction, and do so under the guise of false information, which can be perilous for individuals with chronic illnesses. For instance, someone with diabetes may struggle to manage their blood sugar levels on a restrictive diet, while those with GI issues may experience worsening symptoms or lack of appropriate calories and nutrients needed due to limited food choices.

In addition, diet culture often perpetuates feelings of guilt and shame around food choices. People with chronic illnesses may already contend with a sense of guilt and shame for having a condition that they can’t control. When combined with the pressure to adhere to restrictive diets, this guilt can become overwhelming. Also, if you “fail” at said diet (which we all inevitably do) it just makes the feelings of guilt and shame worse. This can lead to a toxic cycle of self-blame, making it more challenging for individuals to make informed choices about what to eat. All diet culture really does is make you loathe yourself and who needs that?

Lastly, diet culture is rife with misinformation, and people often encounter conflicting advice about what is considered “healthy.” Oftentimes, this information is based on someone’s opinion or personal story and not on scientific research. This information overload can be confusing for anyone but can be especially detrimental to those with chronic illnesses who require precise dietary management. It can lead to experimentation with diets that exacerbate their conditions or interfere with medications. Again, none of which we need in our lives.

All of this is why I propose a more holistic approach to health to better support your life with a chronic illness and mitigate the negative effects of diet culture. You are a unique individual with unique needs and therefore, what works for you will work for you. Recognizing that what works for one person may not work for another person is key and oftentimes what works for that one person only works short-term, usually not long-term, so keep that in mind. I encourage a more individualized care plan that incorporates your healthcare recommendations from your healthcare team, your unique medical history, dietary needs, and lifestyle. It is also crucial to properly educate yourself about your specific chronic conditions to help you to understand the impact of dietary choices on your health. This can empower you to make informed decisions rather than blindly following diet trends.

Furthermore, chronic illness can take a toll on mental health. Diet culture’s negative messaging makes this burden worse; therefore, mental health support and counseling should be an integral part of the care you receive. Shifting the focus away from unrealistic body ideals and promoting body positivity can also help to develop a healthier relationship with your body. I encourage you to begin to work on and explore self-acceptance as a key to improving overall well-being.

Overall, diet culture’s effects on individuals with chronic illnesses can be profound and detrimental. By recognizing the unique challenges faced by us and adopting a more holistic approach to health, we can better support our own well-being. It is crucial to prioritize our own individualized care, educate ourselves about our conditions, seek mental health support when needed, and focus on body positivity. Ultimately, the goal is to empower yourself to make choices that improve your health and quality of life, free from the pressures of diet culture.