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    Home ▸ Real Food Real Conversations Podcast

    Why an Extreme Diet or Anti Diet Doesn't Work

    Last modified: March 10, 2021. Originally posted: June 17, 2020 By Sophia DeSantis

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
    Close up of a bed of lettuce with butternut squash with overlay text on extreme diets

    The extreme diet and anti diet ends of the spectrum is not where most of us live. Is it possible to find a place in the happy middle ground of it all?

    Overlay text on the diet spectrum with a turquoise background and a photo of a plate of salad

    Most of us struggle living in a confined box. And that box can be seen at both ends of the diet spectrum. Strip away the labels and it's a very similar place.

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    The Diet Spectrum

    When we first started changing our diet to a mostly plant-based centered approach, I had no idea that the food world was filled with such extremes.

    On one hand you have the diet side: vegan, keto, paleo, whole 30, the list goes on and on. And on the other end, you have team anti-diet.

    The online vegan world

    From the very beginning, I felt like I didn't belong. I would cringe at the bully like behavior that some of the online vegan food world portrayed.

    The overall aura is very much all or nothing. You either jump in with both feet or you're out. There is not middle ground and they will let you know. Eventually, it started to wear on me and my underlying anxiety.

    I started to question myself and if creating plant-based food to share with the world was something I really wanted to do. The thing was that I actually really loved it.

    The anti-diet movement

    I started to search to find a "place" that I felt more connected with. This is when I found the anti-diet culture corner.

    At first glance, I connect with the overall idea of anti-diet culture. I don't like all or nothing things, I believe that food should be a positive experience and celebrated, I think we should be fluid in our food choices.

    My issue started when I began to see some of the same extreme language, just packaged differently. I fully understand that those with eating disorders need to be careful when it comes to the details of what they surround themselves with. And if this is you, get professional help.

    However, much like how I believe we don't have to be all or nothing with eating plants, we also don't need to be extreme when it comes to the anti-diet movement either.

    For example, I think it's okay to use the word healthy. Some people in the anti-diet culture arena, say that we should be using that word when we talk about food. When I talk to my audience about healthy, I talk about the overall health of both body and mind. So when someone talks about how they made an unhealthy choice when they ate that big bowl of ice cream, I actually argue that it was for the health of your mind. It brought comfort which is taking care of your mental health.

    The Why Behind Choices

    We all have different reasons why we make changes, start new paths, make new goals. While many of us may be going towards the same goal, we may have different reasons for doing so.

    This came into play a lot with our choice to eat mostly plant-based. Our why was health. When it comes to health, it is not only the food you put inside your body that matters, but it's keeping things like stress at bay.

    For us, having stringent constraints on how and what we must eat brings high anxiety and stress. Having to worry about what we can and can't eat when we go out isn't something that works for us. So we choose not to worry about it because we keep our focus on our why, which is overall health.

    However, if someone's why was based on ethical reasons, then stress may be something like accidentally consuming an animal based product. So going out to eat would bring on more stress. We are all different, and that is ok.

    Raising Kids with a Healthy Food Relationship

    Along with my own mental health, I have my kids to worry about. I want them to grow up with a healthy relationship with food. I don't want them to look at food as taboo. I want them to see it as the happy enjoyable amazing thing it is.

    We have always told them our reasons for changing our diet. They know it's because of dad's health, and they know that it may affect their health too. But they also know that they are allowed to try things they want to try.

    One day they will need to make their own decision on what and how they eat. I want them to be loaded with information and personal experiences when the time comes. And to us, they need to try things on their own to make the best decision they can.

    The Online Food Police

    One thing that became very apparent when I first started in the online food world was that some people thought they were given the job to police others. If someone didn't agree with them, you better bet they'd let them know how wrong they were.

    But here is the thing, there is no food police. You can do whatever you want when it comes to what you eat. If one person believes you must be black and white with your eating, that doesn't make it true.

    Most of us lie right in the middle. Extremes don't work for us. My goal is to share awesome recipes that happen to be made from plants. If everyone that wanted to try one of my recipes was told you can only try it if you promise to only eat plants from here on out, very few people would comply.

    We all can use more plants in our diet, but there is no reason it has to be an all or nothing thing. Extremes just push people away from experiencing things.

    I personally hate labels. The only reason I use them in my business is for SEO and search purposes. I want people to find me because I want them to try the delicious things I make. But in the real world, I don't classify my food. I simply make and serve good food. The fact that the food is made from plants doesn't change that.

    I hope you are able to find that happy middle ground in your food. I give you the permission to be fluid in your choices. Food is amazing and it should be enjoyed!

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    1. Sheila Malone

      September 11, 2020 at 4:57 pm

      Excellent article/podcast. I was born with all kinds of endocrine problems and also had a number of physical problems. My parents were told to put me in a state hospital and walk away. My mom was a nurse felt she could actually provide me with a good life so she and my dad took me home. I actually am now in my mid-70s and have been told multiple times throughout my life I was dying by my doctors. I started out on a very restricted vegan diet and over the years gradually was able to add in almost all fruits and veggies other than raw green leafy veggies. While my diet is plant-based by necessity, it is far from boring. I think everyone should find a balanced diet that works for them with as little processed foods as possible. Severe low-calorie diets are extremely dangerous as are diets that restrict fruits and veggies. I became a nurse like my mom and actually saw many people who followed fad diets or very-low-calorie diets with major medical complications as a direct result. Thank you for this podcast and all of the others that you have done. I think this really needed.

      Reply
      • veggiesdontbite

        September 11, 2020 at 5:27 pm

        Wow, thank you so much Sheila!! I so appreciate the support. I am sorry your parents were ever told that about their child but happy they didn't listen! I'm sure you have helped so many people with your story. I'd so appreciate a review and rating if you listen to this on a podcasting app!! It helps me a ton to get discovered. Hope you stay healthy and well!

        Reply
    2. Kellie

      September 10, 2020 at 1:54 pm

      Thanks for this. I’m trying to move my family towards a plant based lifestyle and do it in a gradual way. I really enjoy all your recipes. It can be hard with some of the aggressive sites - I have coeliacs which is an added complication and my autistic son needs gradual changes. I’m hoping that we can maintain the changes we are and build new ones in.

      Reply
      • veggiesdontbite

        September 10, 2020 at 4:29 pm

        Awe, thank you Kellie!! Yes, gradual is perfect, especially when you are dealing with other needs like your son. Take it one step at a time, there is no race to the finish! As always, I am here with anything you need.

        Reply
    3. Marilyn

      July 10, 2020 at 1:53 pm

      I try each day to make the right choices...sometimes I mess up. That doesn’t mean I need to feel shame or guilt..it means I need to try harder and to remember why I am eating this way. Your words are a “balm for the soul.” Thank you so much. Love your posts and ideas....and recipes ! 🤗

      Reply
      • veggiesdontbite

        July 10, 2020 at 4:03 pm

        Awe thank you so much Marilyn! I'm so happy to have you here and to help you along the way!

        Reply

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