The Body Positivity Movement has Morphed
The Body Positivity Movement and Eating. They are not one in the same.
{ I feel the need to say, Please read to the end! }
Truth be told, this movement has morphed into something completely different then it's intended agenda. The Body Positivity Movement was started by black women to create a space where their bodies were represented. Where marginalized people could see their bodies not only represented but see their bodies thrive, see them in power and in vulnerability. It was designed to create change in how we view marginalized people but also to change the cultural standards that we impose on those groups of people.
More recently I've noticed a trend in this movement directly connecting body shape to food and eating habits.
It's completely understandable to see how this jump was made, it's very hard for people to separate physical body shape from diet habits. However, it saddens me to see a platform emerge that promotes the concept of eating whatever a person desires despite the quality of food or portion size. What do I mean?
I fully understand that many may not support the next thing I say, but body positivity is not about eating whatever you want and loving yourself despite the physical changes in your body due to this. Body Positivity is about loving your body as it is in a natural balanced state of thriving.
“Self-care is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation.” —Audre Lorde, feminist and civil rights leader
It's about creating a world that doesn't put people in boxes and slaps an expectation on them.
NOW there is a time and a place to chat food and body shape but lets do it under a different #hashtag
Let's give marginalized people their movement back!!!
Lastly, please understand that in the next paragraphs I discuss what is my personal opinion surrounding Holistic Nutrition. I am not an expert in Body Positivity and I personally represent an acceptable body shape in our culture. I have equal job opportunities, I can buy most of my clothes in stores and I feel comfortable eating without anyone judging me.
Completely separate from the Body Positivity Movement. Here's how I feel about food and body image as a holistic nutrition coach:
Eating a nutritious diet is Self Respect. It is so important to feed your body quality foods throughout the day and if you struggle with this concept it is normal and healthy to seek the advice of an expert.
Eating without food guilt is very important. Which is why I will never tell a client they cannot eat pizza, donuts or any other food our culture deems “bad”. However it’s important that we eat these foods in moderation. If you are enjoying an evening with friends or family it is far more important to connect and engage with your loved ones rather than worrying about the “calories” of the food you're eating.
Supporting fat people when eating is extremely important. Clients have expressed to me that they don’t feel comfortable eating in public or posting meals on social media because people are incredibly rude and critical of what they are eating despite the type of food. Not OK!
Lastly, if you must put yourself into extreme calorie deficiency to achieve a certain body shape, you are simply not that body shape. Body positivity is about loving your true self as it is when you eat a well rounded nutritious diet, that may include cake and chips but also vegetables, fruit, quality protein and so on.
It is so important to know the difference between The Body Positivity Movement and Eating. They are not one in the same.