Diet culture!
Some are in favor of it; some are not!
But, one cannot deny one thing, this can go to your head!
In this article below, we will elaborate upon diet culture and what are the different things that it can do to your psyche.
It is like a weird gamble; we can have a positivity-filled life ahead, but if it goes wrong, it can take a serious toll on our mental health!
This is why you need to gain thorough knowledge about diet culture first if you ever intend to indulge in it.
Alas, in this article, you will not be getting much of the positive side of diet culture.
For the past decade, it has been known to create some serious eating disorders among people.
In this excerpt below, we will be elaborating on the following pointers-
– Starting with the definition of diet culture.
– How it can lead to eating disorders.
– Some other unhealthy habits can be caused by this diet culture. You can read more about it here.
With social media exposing these cultures to almost everyone, it is getting even more difficult.
Thus, we will also be talking about the ways you can prevent this diet culture.
What Is Diet Culture
I am sure that throughout our lives, we have all dealt with social expectations.
Diet culture is definitely one such expectation!
This is where a group of people join hands and come together to dictate what your diet should look like.
The worst irony of this culture is-
You might find yourself conforming to one and, in the next moment, realize that the rules have already changed.
These cultures are never constant, and if one starts to follow them, there is a possibility that they might get dragged into the entire rat race and never come out.
In diet culture, you will find people talking about a certain body type and a diet accompanying it.
Something which will apparently help you achieve that body type.
Why Is It Wrong?
Now, you must be asking-
It is nothing but a community working together to achieve something, then what is the big deal!
Here is a big deal-
– There is no harm in them adding members to their crowds. However, people have often witnessed someone forcing them to join the cause by putting them on a guilt trip.
– People who don’t want to or fail to conform to this cause are often shamed for many purposes.
– There is no such thing as giving up or taking it easy. These diet culture advocates are very rigid with their cause.
– The constant comparison between what they deem to be the right diet and body and what’s not can take a serious toll on someone’s mental health.
– Always flaunting false endorsements or how better life and positivity could come from something as superficial as a body type or a diet.
All in all, unlike anything, when something is forced upon, it always becomes pretty toxic.
What Is Social Media Doing?
Like it or not, social media is contributing to the cause heavily.
– Most of the advertisements and endorsements happen on social media only.
– The constant comparison which is left for everyone’s display can make someone rethink their decision about these diet cultures.
– Influencers are constantly endorsing diet products while flaunting their perfect body. When in reality, they are either edited or have some surgical work done.
How Diet Culture Is Influencing Eating Disorders
Here are some of the ways in which diet culture is influencing eating disorders.
– In no way is it talking about body positivity or being happy in your own skin. Rather it is borderline forcing people to be a certain type. As a result, people who already suffer from body dysmorphia issues are falling prey to them.
– They are heavily giving rise to serious mental health issues like anorexia nervosa and even bulimia. These, in turn, can later cause some major health issues as well.
– They are getting people hooked to over-editing their pictures in social media or, worse, surgical procedures. Some of which could be extremely harmful to your body.
– In some of these diet cultures, the body doesn’t get enough protein which can lead to other physical issues.
– Gives people body dysmorphia issues and very less self-esteem, which can affect their personal and professional life.
Addictions Caused By This Diet Culture
Here are some of the common addiction issues which could be caused by diet culture.
1. Technology Addiction
Technological addiction falls into the category of behavioral addiction. It is widely recognized as mental health, which can be cured with some behavioral practices.
In technology addiction, you will find people using the internet or electronic devices without any purpose whatsoever.
Yes, most might argue that technology is an important part of life to survive in modern society, it is also true that a severe over-reliance on technology can be socially devastating.
2. Diet Pill Addiction
Diet pills addiction falls into the category of prescribed addiction. These are medicines prescribed by doctors to control weight. Diet pills interfere with the body’s processes to boost metabolism. This includes suppressing appetite and fat absorption.
Considering how people are obsessed with getting the perfect tone of the body, diet pills have become one of the major reasons for prescribed addiction.
3. Binge Eating Addiction
Now, this might sound surprising, but even eating can be considered an addiction.
No, we are not talking about the foods that you eat to replenish nutrients, but the food that you eat without any reason. There are times when people indulge themselves in eating even after they are full.
They might think that they are doing so because they simply like to eat their favorite foods. However, that is not the case. When someone is eating without any reason or purpose, or even after they are full, they have fallen victim to Binge eating Addiction.
Conclusion!
Go look at yourself in the mirror!
There is nothing wrong with you. Diet culture is ever-changing, and incorporating them all the time will be very difficult for you.
Thus, strip these cultures and incorporate positivity!