We interviewed registered dietitians and therapists, and they agree that getting educated about the antidiet and intuitive eating movements will help you realise the harmful effects of dieting on your mental and physical health. You'll get the message loud and clear that dieting doesn't work and can actually make you gain weight and develop disordered eating habits. Once you learn all the truths about the dangers of restrictive dieting, you might feel inspired to start living with food freedom.
Licenced mental health counselor, Molly Bahr, LMHC, who's also an intuitive eating counselor who specialises in HAES (health at every size) and is fat-positive, recommended reading Intuitive Eating ($16) by Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch. Other insightful books include The F*ck It Diet ($17) by Caroline Dooner, Anti-Diet ($11) by Christy Harrison, MPH, RD, CDN, Health at Every Size ($8) by Linda Bacon, PhD, and Body Kindness ($14) by Rebecca Scritchfield, RDN.
"This is going to be like learning a new language while living in a culture that doesn't speak the language, so it's helpful to immerse yourself with information and support as much as possible," Bahr said.
Another great resource recommended by Nicole Cruz, RDN, who specialises in helping clients make peace with food and their bodies, is the Intuitive Eating Workbook ($17). It's a great way to work through the 10 principles of intuitive eating and achieve food freedom.
There are also many podcasts about intuitive eating, HAES, and improving body image. Bahr suggested Food Psych (also one of my faves!), Dietitian's Unplugged, Love Food, Don't Salt My Game.