Why I Am Choosing To Reject Diet Culture When Taking GLP-1 Medication
If, like me, you’re taking a GLP-1 medication, you’re likely on a mission to improve your health. But along the way, we might notice the whispers (or shouts) of diet culture creeping in: "Eat less! Be smaller! Push harder!" It’s tempting to buy into these messages, especially when taking a medication often associated with weight loss. But rejecting diet culture is essential for our long term health, happiness and peace of mind. Here’s why.
1. Diet Culture Is All About Shame and Control
Diet culture thrives on making people feel “less than” so they strive to be “more.” It equates worth with weight and success with restriction. But here’s the truth: taking a GLP-1 medication is about enhancing our overall wellbeing, not chasing unrealistic beauty standards. When we focus on our health instead of external pressures, we’re more likely to make sustainable changes that truly serve us.
2. GLP-1s Work Best When Paired With Mindful Choices — Not Restrictive Ones
GLP-1 medications help regulate our appetites and blood sugar levels, making it easier to tune into our body’s natural signals. Diet culture, on the other hand, encourages ignoring those signals. Restricting calories or obsessing over "perfect" eating can backfire, leading to nutrient deficiencies, low energy and a damaged relationship with food. Instead, let’s prioritise balanced meals that make us feel good and listen to our body’s cues for hunger and fullness.
3. Diet Culture Can Lead to Unhealthy Obsessions
The constant pursuit of smaller sizes or the “ideal body” can spiral into disordered eating patterns. GLP-1 medications are a tool and they’re not meant to turn our lives into a numbers game. Rather than obsessing over calories or scales, let’s focus on celebrating non-scale victories like improved energy, better sleep and enhanced mental clarity.
4. Our Bodies Deserve Nourishment, Not Punishment
Diet culture often promotes deprivation, but our bodies need nutrients to thrive - especially when taking a GLP-1 medication. Side effects like nausea or fatigue can be exacerbated by poor nutrition. Let’s fuel ourselves with a variety of foods that we enjoy and that align with our body’s needs. Think of food as a way to care for ourselves, not a reward or punishment.
5. We’re More Than a Before-and-After Photo
Diet culture loves a good transformation story, but our health journey is about so much more than a snapshot. Medications such as Wegovy, Ozempic and Mounjaro can help us feel better, move more easily, and reduce health risks - all of which are worth celebrating. Let’s reject the pressure to conform to someone else’s idea of success and instead define what health means to us.
6. Rejecting Diet Culture Supports Mental Wellbeing
The shame and guilt perpetuated by diet culture can take a toll on our mental health. By rejecting these toxic narratives, we’re making space for self-compassion and acceptance. This mindset shift can help us focus on what truly matters: living a fulfilling, balanced life.
How to Reject Diet Culture While on a GLP-1
Reframe Your Goals: Focus on overall health, energy and quality of life rather than just weight.
Set Boundaries: Unfollow social media accounts that promote restrictive diets or unrealistic body ideals.
Practise Mindful Eating: Eat slowly, savour your meals and listen to your body’s hunger and fullness cues.
Celebrate Non-Scale Victories: Track improvements like reduced cravings, better sleep or increased stamina.
Seek Support: Surround yourself with communities that promote body positivity and health at every size.
Taking a GLP-1 is a proactive step towards better health, but it’s only part of the equation. By rejecting diet culture, we can build a healthier relationship with food, our bodies and ourselves. Remember, our worth isn’t tied to a number on a scale or the size of our jeans. We are deserving of care, compassion, and nourishment - just as we are.
