💬 Whether it’s a family member commenting on your food choices, a friend joking about “being bad” for eating dessert, or peers glorifying “clean eating,” diet talk is everywhere—and it can be exhausting. In this episode, Registered Dietitian Rachel Fine shares 5 powerful steps to help dancers navigate diet talk with confidence. From setting boundaries to shifting self-talk, you’ll learn practical strategies and real-life scripts for responding to unsolicited comments about food, weight, and bodies.

You’ll walk away knowing how to:
✅ Protect your mindset in triggering conversations

✅ Set healthy boundaries with friends, teachers, and family

✅ Use practical scripts to respond without guilt or shame

✅ Build confidence in your non-diet, intuitive eating journey

📅 Perfect for: dancers who feel drained by constant food and body chatter and want tools to stay grounded in their relationship with food.

👉🏼 Read the full blog: https://dancenutrition.com/dealing-with-diet-talk/

📲 Follow on Instagram: @ToThePointeNutrition

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Timestamps ⬇️ (skip to the part you need most!)

0:00 – Food Commentary

How family comments about food and body can feel triggering for dancers.

0:21 – About Rachel Fine, RDN

Introducing Rachel’s work helping dancers build a supportive relationship with food.

0:52 – Why Diet Talk Matters

Diet talk, food rules, and body comparisons explained.

1:18 – What Counts as a Triggering Comment

Examples of subtle and overt remarks that spark self-doubt.

2:21 – Why Dancers Feel Especially Vulnerable

How diet culture, clean eating, and dancer stereotypes fuel triggering remarks.

3:36 – The Industry Behind Diet and Wellness Culture

Unpacking how restrictive food rules are normalized in society.

4:44 – Why Family and Friends Make It Harder

Navigating close relationships and long-held perceptions about dancers’ diets.

5:23 – What You Can and Can’t Control

Focusing on your response rather than changing others’ opinions.

5:42 – Step 1: Acknowledge Your Awareness

Learning to recognize harmful commentary and dismantle diet culture.

7:31 – Step 2: Shift Your Self-Talk

Replacing old food rules with compassionate, supportive thoughts.

11:15 – Step 3: Responding at the Table

Using empathy while holding boundaries when comments arise.

14:04 – Boundaries Beyond the Table

When and how to set limits with family or friends outside mealtime.

14:59 – Step 4: Decide If the Conversation Is Worth It

Knowing when to redirect, opt out, or exit discussions.

17:47 – Step 5: Take Social Breaks & Seek Support

Managing diet talk on social media and continuing to unlearn harmful messages.

19:00 – Final Takeaways

Examples, resources, and confidence-building strategies for navigating triggering commentary.

Rachel Fine, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Certified Sports Nutritionist, Certified Eating Disorder Specialist, and Certified Counselor of Intuitive Eating works with dancers to help them build supportive relationships with both food and body. 

Disclaimer: This is produced for informational purposes only. This information is general, not specific to you. The information in this podcast does not substitute for medical advice. The viewer assumes full responsibility for consulting a qualified health professional regarding health conditions or concerns, and before starting a new diet or health program.