Category: diet culture
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Why Eating Feels Harder at the End of the Day
A lot of “lack of self-control” happens at the end of the day. We’re talking about the late night snacking, overeating, and the regret that comes with these decisions. What if your body genuinely has a harder time making choices when you’re doing so? What if this isn’t a personal failure, but a sign of…
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7 Early Signs Your “Clean Eating” Has Become Too Rigid
“Clean eating” sounds harmless and even admirable. But for many, clean eating can quietly slide into anxiety, rigidity, and disordered patterns. Here’s how to tell if your intentions to “eat healthy” have started taking a toll on your well-being. You Feel Anxious When Foods Aren’t “Clean Enough” If eating something outside your usual “clean” patterns brings stress, guilt, or spiraling thoughts, that’s…
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What Is Food Anxiety? How to Find Peace with Food and Know When to Seek Help
Written by: Suren Chiu, RDN, LDN If you’ve ever felt anxious before eating, overthought every bite, or second-guessed whether a meal was “healthy enough,” you’re not alone. Many people experience food anxiety. This is a persistent stress or fear related to food choices, eating situations, or how food might affect their body. While some mindfulness…
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Decoding Nutrition: Why Headlines Mislead Us
Written by: Suren Chiu, RDN, LDN You’ve probably noticed how nutrition advice seems to change every other week. One day, carbs are bad. The next, they’re essential. Eggs were dangerous, then healthy, and now—apparently—confusing. It’s not you. You’re not doing anything wrong. The truth is: science doesn’t change nearly as much as the headlines do. Why Nutrition Feels…
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How to Stop Overthinking Food Decisions When You’re Always on the Go
Written by: Suren Chiu, RDN, LDN You’re running from meeting to meeting, your stomach is growling, and you’re staring at your options. Grab a salad, hit the café, order delivery, or just skip it altogether. Your brain spins: “Is this healthy? Will I regret this? Should I wait until I get home?” Overthinking food decisions…
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Why Good and Bad Food Labels Hurt Your Eating Habits
Written by: Suren Chiu, RDN, LDN “I was so bad today—I had dessert.” “I need to be good tomorrow and eat clean.” Sound familiar? You’re not alone. Many of us have been taught to divide foods into “good” and “bad” categories. At first, it might feel like this helps you make healthier choices—but in…
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How to Stop Negative Self-Talk Around Food
Written by Suren Chiu, RDN, LDN Have you ever caught yourself thinking: “I was bad for eating that,” or “I don’t deserve dessert because I skipped my workout”? We’ve all been there. Standing in front of the fridge or finishing a meal, and suddenly that little voice creeps in. “I shouldn’t have eaten that.” Or…
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Mindful Eating vs Dieting: Why Self-Compassion Wins Every Time
Written by Suren Chiu, RDN, LDN When it comes to food and health, most of us are taught that dieting is the answer. Count calories, cut carbs, no sugar, follow a rigid meal plan—diet culture thrives on control. But here’s the truth: strict dieting often leads to guilt, shame, and a cycle of restriction and…
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What Is Diet Culture—and How Does It Affect the Way We Eat?
Written by Suren Chiu, RDN, LDN Diet culture is woven into our everyday lives to the extent that it goes unnoticed. From social media trends to casual conversations about “good” or “bad” foods, diet culture shapes how we think about eating, our bodies, and even our self-worth. But what exactly is diet culture, and how…
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Understanding Food Rules: How They Affect Your Relationship with Food
Food rules are internal limits we place on food. This can be calories, types of foods, food groups, and meal timing. Honestly, food rules can go in so many directions there is no limit. The most important thing about food rules is the aspect of control. Having guidelines for eating is good. But turning guidelines…