Let's talk about words! It may seem strange to find a whole blog post about easy to understand words, but sometimes it's the simple words we don't think twice about that are deeply affecting us. Words aren't just words. We all know that saying, "Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me,"....and we also know that it's not true! Words are powerful and they can impact what you think, believe, and ultimately impact your life.
Often when we grow and learn, it actually requires us to unlearn some things that aren't serving us well anymore. In this case, that can look like unlearning some of what media and culture has taught us about nutrition and weight management terms. It's time to take a second look at some of these terms- weight loss terms to relearn!
"You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means"
[The Princess Bride, anyone?☺️]
Words have meaning by themselves, but they can even develop new meanings based on how they're used in a context. And not only that, words have unique meanings to each one of us based on our personal experiences. It's no different for nutrition related terms! Take a look and see what you think about these ones....
Calories
Carbohydrates
Fat
Gluten
Metabolism
Sugar
Salt
Meat
Dairy
Do any of those words feel neutral or even positive for you? If you said no, you wouldn't be alone! The sad thing is that many nutrition related terms now come wrapped in negative messages for many people. In the last post we talked about the diet and non-diet cultures we live in the thick of- and they've definitely had an impact on words. Some simple words that are designed to carry a neutral meaning now carry a falsely negative message with them because of how our culture has misused them. Let me share a couple of terms that we can redeem and use in healthier ways.
"DIET"
[Ok, this is a big one!]
What it Means in our Culture
Despite being a neutral term by nature, it's come to take on the negative meanings of restriction and limitation because of how our culture has used it. Over the years it's been linked with all kinds of weight loss schemes and plans people have shared, so it's almost become a synonym for restriction now. The restriction based version of 'diet' is a real term, but I challenge you to remove that one from your vocabulary!
What it Means to me as a Dietitian
As a Dietitian, I define it as 'a way of eating.' It can be used to reference a food plan, or describe what someone has eaten/is eating. It's a clinical term I use whether weight loss is in the conversation or not. Even in the context of weight loss, the word still simply refers to what someone is consuming, or to a way of eating.
Using this Word
The word itself is not a problem, but how it's used can be a problem! No one should be using this term as a way to encourage someone (including yourself) to have restriction as their goal- that goal will never lead anywhere healthy. I'm mindful of how I use nutrition terminology, but you can join the fight for healthy weight management language too!
Avoid using this term when talking about your weight management. Don't say to yourself or to other people- "I need to go on a diet," or "I'm on a diet." Instead say something like, "I'm ready to make changes in my life/health," or "I'm working on making healthy changes right now." Do you see the difference in those messages?
"PORTION"
What it Means in Our Culture
Similar to the word diet, portion often carries a restrictive connotation to it. Especially when it's used in the context of weight management, 'portion' can automatically make you think it means something small. But a portion is a portion and it's only larger or smaller based on a reference amount.
What it Means to me as a Dietitian
To me, this word simply means 'a set aside amount of a food or beverage.' A serving carries a similar meaning. Think of it like when you're at the dinner table and you're plating your food. The amount of vegetables you put on the plate is called a portion or serving. And it will still be called a portion no matter how much food is on the plate because it does not refer to a measured amount (ex. 1 cup), but an amount of your choosing.
What Weight Loss Terms Do You Need to Relearn?
Has culture taught you a word (or message) that hasn't served you well?
Have you had a bad experience with a word (or message) that you need to process?
Are there any words you need to use differently or even stop saying?
If there's any term that you hear in the world of weight loss or nutrition that feels negative to you, I suggest you take another look at it! 'Diet' and 'portion' are just two words that have been tainted. In weight management culture, certain terms carry extra negative baggage with them and are truly being used in damaging ways. If you ever hear something that makes you feel like a heap of pressure just landed on you, or anything else negative for that matter, take a second look at it. Does the word really mean what they're saying it means, or even what you feel it means?
When you get triggered by a word, start asking yourself some questions!
How does it make me feel/How did I react to it?
Why does it seem negative to me?
What has the word meant to me personally?
Regardless of what certain words mean to our culture, find out how they impact you! Pay attention to what they provoke in you because that's the part you can do something about. When you feel triggered, it's time to take that second look. As you process those things, you'll find yourself feeling less pushed around by words. They won't trigger you like they did before. We can't change the words we hear from others, but we can choose to have a healthy perspective and we can change the words we use too!
Words that Help
Look for weight loss resources where the words are not fueling negative things like shame, but are impacting you in a positive way. Listen and look for words that are fueling you to embrace reality with a sense of hope. These are invisible, intangible things, but boy are they important! Shame will only hold you back and stop you, but hope will fuel you forward. So, watch the words you're hearing and seeing. Watch the words you're speaking! Discover what they mean to you, let go of any harmful messages attached to them, and relearn when necessary!
If you're curious about what an RD thinks of a word, send me a chat! I'd be happy to share my thoughts and would love to hear what you think too!
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