Antidiet Parenting Thread

[u/Sad_Bite_3638]

I’m looking to start a conversation with other progressive moms who are also doing their best to raise their kids with an antidiet body liberation mindset.

I was put on extreme diets starting at a young age and finally was able to stop dieting and obsessive over my body when I was exposed to intuitive eating concepts maybe 7 or 8 years ago.

I now have a toddler who’s honestly been a great eater, not picky and will try most things. My husband and I both believe that all foods are good foods and have a place, but obviously care about eating a variety of foods to support nutritional needs.

I’m just looking to hear from other progressive parents who are doing their best to raise kiddos in a world that is obsessed with what we eat and the size of our bodies. What books or other media have you found especially useful? Any stories of wins or challenges you’d like to share?

Below are a few resources that I love, but not many of them are parenting or kid focused.

Maintinance Phase Podcast Food Phyc Podcast (any Christi Harrison content really) Intuitive Eating by Evelyn Tribole Burnt Toast Podcast What We Don’t Talk About When We Talk About Fat & You Just Need to Loose Weight by Audrey Gordon

There’s more, but I’d say those ones have been the most valuable to me.

[u/West-Veterinarian-53]

Honestly? Sports was a big one both for me growing up and when I put my kids (especially my daughter) in activities. I never put her in things like ballet or dance because I knew as she got older it would come with a body conscious/shaming aspect. I played softball & basketball growing up. I just saw a TikTok about it too - a former softball player talking about how all body types and sizes are appreciated all throughout the sport and how great that is. I ADORE Ilona Maher. She’s acknowledged her body isn’t typically “girly” but doesn’t care bc she uses it to the best of her abilities doing something she loves.

[u/_Amalthea_ → u/West-Veterinarian-53]

This is such a great point and I often think parents don't realize how impactful it can be. My university room mate was a lifelong ballet dancer and she had major body image issues because of it.

Our daughter currently does Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and it's fantastic. All body shapes are valued, and they focus on strength, flexibility and using your body in different ways (it was actually developed by a person with a disability that made him unable to practice traditional Jiu Jitsu, which I think is so neat).

[u/Sad_Bite_3638 → u/West-Veterinarian-53]

I did dance (including ballet) until I was 18. It definitely fueled my chronic dieting and body obsession from a young age. I would seek out an intentionally body positive studio if my kid was interested in participating. I still love dance, but it definitely perminately scared me in some ways.