Food Insecurity with Diane Summers

As we approach a holiday season that’s highly focused on food,
we’re thrilled to be joined by Diane Summers, MS, RDN, CEDS-S,
CD, a highly experienced and nationally registered dietitian
specializing in the treatment of eating disorders, for an
insightful exploration of the multifaceted issue of food
insecurity. Drawing on her 19 years of expertise, Diane delves
into two essential frameworks through which to understand this
critical topic.


The first framework begins with a stark reality: 12.8% (17
million households) in the US face food insecurity, with
disproportionately higher rates for Black and Hispanic
households, as reported by the USDA. Food insecurity is defined
here as the uncertainty or inability to acquire enough food due
to insufficient funds or resources.


This conversation also explores a second framework, inviting us
to examine food insecurity through the lens of our culture's
pervasive obsession with altering bodies through dieting and
restrictive eating. A note to listeners that this conversation
does mention disordered eating but does not go into detail. 


Diane, along with Dan and Rachael, navigate the delicate terrain
of recognizing the privilege of having access to enough food
while also acknowledging the potentially unhealthy relationships
many harbor with food. The discussion touches on the impact of
societal norms, trauma associated with growing up in a diet
culture, and the subsequent internalization of food as an
adversary.


This episode provides a thought-provoking and compassionate
examination of the complex issue of food insecurity, with
insights into the societal, cultural, and personal dynamics
involved.
Related Resources:

Listen to our previous conversation with Diane Summers in Food,
Kindness, and Our Bodies


Resources cited in this episode: Poverty, by America by Matthew
Desmond; USDA Food Security in the U.S. Statistics, 2022