#193: Why Processed Food Isn’t the Problem and Other Wellness Culture Myths with Shana Spence, RD (best of)
Shana Spence, a registered dietitian (who you might know as @thenutritiontea on social media), joins the pod to bust myths about processed foods and to discuss how family, culture, privilege, and societal influences shape our relationship with food.
This is a rerun – we recorded this conversation over a year ago, and misinformation about food and ingredients has only intensified. This episode feels important to share again right now, especially in light of recent reductions in food assistance programs.
Shana shares how her initial career path and disordered eating fueled her decision to become a dietitian, and reflects on how dietetics education perpetuates diet culture, focusing on BMI and stereotypes. She talks about her perspective shift over time, the process of moving toward an anti-diet and weight-inclusive approach, and why the social determinants of health matter more than individual food choices.
Tune in to hear more about…
The pressure of food restriction as a badge of honor
Privilege affecting food choices
The misleading fears about processed foods
The oversimplification of food into good vs. bad categories.
How family and cultural background impact dieting
External societal pressures on our relationship with food
Diet culture and healthism
Dietitian education's role in perpetuating diet culture
Stereotyping in healthcare
Shana’s perspective shift on nutrition and dieting
Restriction as a form of validation
Black-and-white thinking in nutrition
Why we don't need to "fix" people's eating habits
About Shana:
Shana Spence is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist based in New York, who considers herself an “eat anything” dietitian, and counsels on a HAES (Healthy At Every Size) and an Intuitive Eating approach. She is also the author of Live Nourished - Make Peace with Food, Banish Body Shame, and Reclaim Joy. Find her website here https://www.thenutritiontea.com/ and find her on instagram at @thenutritiontea.
Support the Show:
Enjoying this podcast? Please support the show on Substack for bonus episodes, community engagement, and access to "Ask Abbie" at abbieattwoodwellness.substack.com/subscribe
Group program:
Looking for more support and concrete steps to take to heal your relationship with food and your body? Apply for Abbie's next 10-week group program: https://www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/group-coaching
Already been at this anti-diet culture thing for a while, but want community and continued learning? Apply for Abbie's monthly membership, which meets every other week: https://www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/circle-monthly-group
Social media:
Find the show on Instagram: @fullplate.podcast
Find Abbie on Instagram: @abbieattwoodwellness
Podcast Cover Photography by Anya McInroy
Podcast Administrative Support by Alexis Glaubach
Podcast Editing by Brian Walters
This podcast is ad-free and support comes from our Patrons on Patreon: Patreon.com/fullplate