#100 - Diet Culture Exists Because We Don't Want to Die with Michelle Allison the Fat Nutritionist

Psychology research in terror management theory has shown that
when people are primed with thoughts of mortality, their
behaviors change, but not necessarily in helpful ways. Tune in as
I talk with dietitian Michelle Alison (the Fat Nutritionist)
about how she was able to extrapolate Ernest Becker’s research
from the 1980s to today’s diet culture which is full of
“wellness” messages about saving your life with every bite of
food, every minute of exercise, and every pill. Acceptance
of mortality doesn’t mean that you suddenly stop caring about
your health and your life. In fact, you may appreciate and
celebrate life even more after accepting that perfect health,
weight, and bodies don’t actually exist. 


About Michelle
Michelle Alison, also known online as The Fat
Nutritionist. She is a registered dietitian with the College
of Dietitians of Ontario. She has an accredited degree (BASc) in
nutrition from Ryerson University. She works online to help
people stop dieting, deal with picky eating, and relearn normal
eating. She’s a member of Dietitians of Canada, and the
Association for Size Diversity and Health.


She completed the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics-approved
Treating the Dieting Casualty workshop, where she learned how to
teach people eating competence. Prior to becoming a RD, Michelle
worked in hospitals as a nutrition supervisor, and then a
clinical diet tech. All told, she’s worked in nutrition for over
a decade.


Website | Twitter | Facebook


Links mentioned


How Goop’s Haters Made Gwyneth Paltrow’s Company Worth $250
Million (New York Times)

Eating Toward Immortality (The Atlantic)

People Obsessed With Wellness Can't Accept That We're All
Gonna Die (Tonic)

Body Kindness Episode 16: The Religion of Diet Culture



---


Get the Body Kindness book
It's available wherever books and audiobooks are sold. Read
reviews on Amazon and pick up your copy today! Order signed
copies and bulk discounts here!


---


Donate to support the show
Thanks to our generous supporters! We're working toward our goal
to fund the full season. Can you donate? Please visit our Go Fund
Me page.


---


Get started with Body Kindness
Sign up to get started for free and stay up to date on the latest
offerings


---


Become a client
Check out BodyKindnessBook.com/breakthrough for the latest groups
and individual support sessions


---


Subscribe to the podcast We're on iTunes,
Stitcher, Spotify and iHeartRadio. Enjoy the show? Please rate it
on iTunes!

Have a show idea or guest recommendatio? E-mail
podcast@bodykindnessbook.com to get in touch.


---


Join the Facebook group Continue the
episode conversations with the hosts, guests, and fellow
listeners on the Body Kindness Facebook group. See you there!


Nothing in this podcast is meant to provide medical diagnosis,
treatment, cure, or prevent any disease or condition. Individuals
should consult a qualified healthcare provider for medical advice
and answers to personal health questions.