The Camaraderie Of Dieting

In most traditional societies, a meal was more than just food. It was a time when people would come together; they’d converse, laugh and generally experience a sense of connectedness.

Today, meals like this are rare.

They may happen for certain holidays throughout the year but on the whole, eating has become much more functional than it used to be.

But while we’ve lost a sense of community around sharing a meal, food has taken on a new role in bonding many people together. And this is the camaraderie of dieting.

While dieting on the surface is typically about manipulating eating to make changes to your body, this is just one of its roles. It now gives people something to talk and lament about, to bond over.

There is a stereotype that British people always talk about the weather. When totalled up, Brits spend five months of their life talking about it.

Well, diet talk is following in its footsteps and, for many, it seems to be a go-to topic to bring up wherever possible.

On many occasions when I’ve suggested that clients stop dieting, one question that is returned is “but what will I talk to people at work about?”

So why is this? Why do people want to chat about their diets so much?

Possibly because it’s an easy way of connecting while demonstrating a little (but not too much) vulnerability. It’s a way of talking about body dissatisfaction or sharing your dreams, but doing so in a manner that isn’t too deep.

It also gives people something they can share. Just like following a sports team or a particular band, there is a common bond that they can feel closer about.

And this is why it can be so hard not to diet. Because when you don’t, you can be left as an outsider. You can’t contribute to certain conversations. You don’t have this common hobby going on in your life.

But I’m hoping for a change.

Can we as a society please find better things to bond over?

Can we find other interests and hobbies that we want to share with others?

Can we become so passionate about other causes that we see how inane dieting and the discussion of it is?

Life is short. Spend it doing things that are enjoyable and meaningful. Which doesn’t include dieting and then talking about them.

Need Help?

Are you someone that wants to get off the dieting rollercoaster? Even if it means missing out when the conversation turns to dieting? If so, I’d love to help.

I’m a leading expert and advocate for full recovery. I’ve been working with clients for over 15 years and understand what needs to happen to recover.

I truly believe that you can reach a place where the eating disorder is a thing of the past and I want to help you get there. If you want to fully recover and drastically increase the quality of your life, I’d love to help.

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