🚩 “Food freedom,” “wellness,” “intuitive eating”… these terms are everywhere in today’s nutrition space. But here’s the catch: not everything labeled anti-diet actually is. In this episode, Registered Dietitian Rachel Fine breaks down 5 red flags to help dancers spot when a program, coach, or influencer is secretly promoting diet culture— even if they say otherwise.

Learn how to:
✅ Identify sneaky diet culture in “anti-diet” marketing✅ Recognize harmful food rules disguised as “wellness”✅ Find truly supportive, science-based guidance for dancers

📅 Perfect for: dancers feeling confused by conflicting nutrition advice, and anyone ready to protect their relationship with food from toxic rebrands of diet culture.

👉🏼 Read the full blog: https://dancenutrition.com/anti-diet-red-flags/

📲 Follow on Instagram: @ToThePointeNutrition🔔 Subscribe on YouTube: Nutrition for Dancers🎙️ Listen on Apple + Spotify: Nutrition for Dancers with The Dance Nutritionist® Podcast

Timestamps ⬇️ (Skip to the section you need!)

0:00 – What Does It Mean to Be an Anti-Diet Dietitian?Introduction and Rachel’s mission to dispel nutrition myths for dancers.

0:50 – What Is Diet Culture?Defining diet culture and why it matters for dancers.

1:10 – Value #1: The Goal of Weight LossWhy weight loss is falsely equated with better health.

1:57 – Value #2: Idealization of FitnessHow body image ideals are shaped and pressured by diet culture.

2:11 – Value #3: Glorifying and Villainizing FoodsThe roots of food guilt and labeling foods as “good” or “bad.”

2:28 – Why Diet Culture Is Harmful for DancersOppression, elitism, and negative health implications.

3:31 – What Really Impacts Health?The role of genetics, environment, and access—not just food.

4:16 – Restrictive Dieting Does Not WorkWhy perfectionism and “clean” eating backfire for dancers.

4:52 – The Rise of Wellness RebrandingHow restrictive diets disguise themselves as “wellness.”

6:01 – Red Flag #1: Food AvoidanceSigns an anti-diet message may actually be dieting in disguise.

7:36 – Red Flag #2: Weight Loss and Fitness GoalsWhy promising weight loss is problematic, especially for dancers.

8:50 – Red Flag #3: Unqualified Nutrition SourcesThe importance of vetting who you take advice from.

9:55 – Red Flag #4: Clean Foods Are RewardedHow clean eating rhetoric reinforces restriction.

10:54 – Red Flag #5: Portion Control RulesWhy external food rules harm intuitive eating skills.

12:02 – Three Questions to Ask YourselfFinal takeaways for spotting diet culture and building a supportive food relationship.

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.