While I confidently practice Intuitive Eating now, I still have moments where I realize how far my recovery has come. And how much I let my diet culture BS impact my kids.

I restricted my kids from treats.

Yesterday I went grocery shopping. I had Oreos on my list (which had already been a huge win for me and my family since previously I rarely allowed dessert or treats in the house.)

As I was rounding the corner with my cart, I saw the big end-cap display of special edition Oreos for Halloween. 🎃 “Oh fun!” I thought as I grabbed a package of the orange-stuffed cookies and put it in my cart.

While I nonchalantly walked down the aisle, I realized that I have never bought special edition holiday treats like this for my kids. I have intentionally restricted that sort of thing in the past. The opportunity to have a little special surprise for them actively avoided. Because I let my diet culture BS impact my kids.

After school I told my kids I had a surprise for them after dinner. They were so excited! My 6 year old kept begging me to tell him and happily came to the table when dinner was called.

After the plates were cleared, I got out their surprise. I would have offered Oreos regardless last night. But their excitement & anticipation all afternoon, followed by the “big reveal” of pumpkin-imprinted chocolate cookies & gingersnaps on the first official day of Fall reminded me of the simple, magical things childhood memories are supposed to be made of!

My disordered eating impacted my entire family.

My disordered eating went SO much farther than just me and my body. It effected those around me as I played food police. When I had a constant air of judgement about food choices, that judgemental mindset carried to other things too. I’m not proud of spending so much of my life like that.

In my old ways, I thought I was helping my family’s health but really I was just teaching them how to also have a bad relationship with food. Like I did. Past tense. I am so very thankful and relieved to finally be on the other side of diet culture. 💗

If you’re ready to learn how to recover from chronic dieting but aren’t sure where to start, schedule a free 15-minute call with me for ideas.