Cutting Diet Culture Out of Campus Culture
Because saying you haven’t eaten all day isn’t cute.
by AVIYA GARG ★ AUGUST 31, 2022
Trigger Warning: the following article pertains to eating disorders and may contain sensitive material for some readers.
Let’s face it: so many of us on college campuses fall into the harmful cycle of joining conversations that have the power to deteriorate our body image and eating habits. Being in full control over our meals in college, it is so easy to harm our bodies when damaging comments seem to follow us everywhere we go. However, there is nothing to be ashamed of, and as someone who’s been on a journey of recovery and self-love for a hot minute, I’d like to share some lessons I’ve picked up along the way for combating toxic diet culture in college.
Call Out Yourself and Others
Just like rumors, conversations about diet culture spread like a virus. If you find yourself or your friends using negative language towards food, here’s your reminder that words are more damaging than you think. No one is perfect, and creating healthy relationships with food can take time. When you hear a negative comment relating to food, try your best to replace it with a positive one. Sounds cliche, I know. However, this ritual can be super effective after a little time. When the conversation topic comes to food, holding yourself and the people you care about accountable can help diminish the idea that food is an enemy.
Focus On Your Own Plate
It is extremely important to understand that eating habits look different for everyone! Focus on your own plate, and start to become aware of what gives YOU the fuel you need to power through the day. I love trying new restaurants with my friends, but it can be a roller coaster sometimes—everyone seems to have something to say about what to order. True friends (a rare concept these days) would never judge or make comments about what or how much you eat—at the end of the day, it’s no one else’s business what’s on your plate. Having meals on your plate that make you and only you feel good is crucial to practicing a healthy relationship with food.
Food First, Work Second
Do you find yourself munching over your computer late at night while trying to get that *one* assignment in? Yeah, I’ve had plenty of those nights too. Sometimes the hardest pill to swallow can be that your health and nutrition come before anything else, including that paper with an 11:59 pm deadline. When you start to eat around your work, your mind can subconsciously associate the stress of your assignments with what you eat while completing them. This sounds so odd, but it’s true. This habit could be detrimental to your relationship with food. Again, it’s no easy task to prioritize well-balanced meals (or even meals in general) when you are a college student with a busy schedule. But the next time you sit down with your plate, try turning on your favorite TV show or calling a friend from home instead. It’s the smallest efforts and thoughts that make the most dramatic difference in the way you look at food and nutrition.
Reaching Out for Professional Help
It is important to acknowledge that there may be a more serious issue at hand. If you or someone you know are displaying signs of what may be an eating disorder or body dysmorphia, know that there is nothing wrong with reaching out for professional help from a doctor or counselor. Admitting that there is a deeper issue is the first step in starting a journey of self-acceptance and recovery. Below are a few resources that hold useful information about eating disorders and ways to receive help:
Barnes Center Phone Number: (315) 443-8000
NEDA (National Eating Disorders Association)
NEDA Eating Disorders Hotline: (800) 931-2237
Enough said, these are only a few ways to kick start building a healthy relationship with food. This is no walk in the park, and we understand that this may be the most challenging journey that you will embark on during your college life. But this is a reminder that you are NOT the only person struggling and there are a variety of resources available to help you along the way. It all starts with self-love—talk to yourself like you would to your best friend. XOXO.
Cover Photo Credit: Pinterest