What is the Non-Diet Approach?
It might seem like a bit of an oxy-moron, the term Non-Diet Dietitian. Sometimes I think our profession needs a re-name, because we’re not usually advocates of “dieting”. I was first exposed to the idea of the Non-Diet Approach back in 2013 during my studies at Deakin University (big thanks to Fiona Sutherland - The Mindful Dietitian!) and it blew my mind. There I was, a 20-something student thinking I was about to embark on lifelong work of teaching people how to lose weight, when in fact it turns out that was maybe the most harmful thing I could do! And so I began to unlearn the notion that weight = health, and that thinner was better. Since then, I’ve done (a lot of) further study and training in the NDA, and I couldn’t be more thankful for this approach. Here’s a little bit about it and why I love it so much.
The Non-Diet Approach is a philosophy and framework within the field of nutrition and health that challenges traditional dieting and weight-focused approaches. It emphasises a holistic and compassionate approach to well-being that goes beyond focusing on weight loss or restrictive eating. Instead, it prioritises health-promoting behaviours, body acceptance, overall well-being as well as long term mental and physical health. Here are the key aspects of the Non-Diet Approach:
Health at Every Size (HAES): This principle acknowledges that health is not determined solely by weight. Health is multifaceted and encompasses physical, mental, and emotional well-being. HAES promotes the idea that people of all sizes can pursue health and well-being without the focus being on weight reduction.
Body Acceptance and Body Neutrality: The Non-Diet Approach encourages individuals to accept and appreciate their bodies as they are. It promotes self-love and body neutrality, challenging the thin ideal perpetuated by diet culture. Rather than body positivity, it encourages people to embrace their bodies for their function, whilst accepting their appearance as it is.
Intuitive Eating: Intuitive eating is a key component of the Non-Diet Approach. It involves tuning into your body's internal cues of hunger and fullness, eating for nourishment and pleasure, and letting go of external diet rules. Intuitive eaters learn to trust their bodies and make food choices based on internal signals rather than external guidelines. Intuitive eaters are more likely to have greater diet variety, diet quality and a greater sense of self compassion (how lovely!).
Rejecting Diet Culture: The Non-Diet Approach encourages individuals to critically examine and reject diet culture, which often promotes unrealistic beauty standards, harmful weight loss methods, and a focus on external appearance over mental and physical well-being.
Mindful Eating: Mindful eating involves being fully present during meals, savouring each bite, and paying attention to the sensory experiences of eating. It helps individuals cultivate a healthier relationship with food and encourages a more attuned and balanced approach to eating.
Focus on Health-Promoting Behaviors: Rather than fixating on weight loss, the Non-Diet Approach emphasises adopting health-promoting behaviours such as enjoyable movement, balanced nutrition, stress management, and adequate sleep.
Emotional and Mental Well-Being: The Non-Diet Approach acknowledges the significant impact of emotional and mental well-being on overall health, including the impact that weight stigma has on health. It encourages self-care, stress reduction, and seeking support when needed.
Inclusive and Non-Judgmental: The Non-Diet Approach creates a safe and supportive environment where individuals can explore their relationship with food and their bodies without fear of judgment. It respects diverse experiences and challenges societal biases.
In essence, the Non-Diet Approach shifts the focus from external rules and weight loss to internal cues, body acceptance, and a whole-human approach. It empowers individuals to develop a positive and sustainable relationship with food, their bodies, and their health. This approach is guided by compassion, self-care, and the belief that everyone deserves respect and support on their journey to well-being.
If this approach sounds like a good fit for you, try a Free Discovery Call with Alex. Book below!
