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.

Yesterday I went grocery shopping. I had Oreos on my list (which had already been a huge win for me & 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.

As I nonchalantly walked down the aisle, I realized that I had 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.

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.

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!

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.