Dear Reader,
Whether you’re well-versed in today’s non-diet nutrition lingo or just hearing about it for the first time, I want to explain what “non-diet” means—and why this shift matters to me and the way I work with clients like you.
First, a definition
The word “diet” has been hijacked by the diet industry. In its literal sense, “diet” simply means “the food we eat.” Nothing more, nothing less.
So, what’s “non-diet”?
Because “diet” has become linked to weight loss and external food rules, a “non-diet” approach rejects rigid meal plans, calorie counting, and obsession with the scale.
This approach rebels against diet culture to help you trust your body’s cues and focus on overall health, rather than chasing weight goals.
Where I land in all of this
As an overthinker and a writer, language matters to me.
When I first heard terms like “non-diet” and “anti-diet,” I was admittedly confused—how can we be anti- the food we eat?
But over time, I realized what these words were trying to convey, and that focusing on diets for intentional weight loss often leads to stress, guilt-ridden cycles and confusion.
That’s why, in 2018, I shifted from a weight-centered approach to one that’s more holistic, inclusive, and focused on health in a broader sense.
This = a non-diet approach.
Whether the term “non-diet” sticks around or not, I enjoy helping people through this lens.
Why I made the non-diet shift...
... and why I encourage you to, as well.
But before we dive deeper, I want to clarify a few things.
In dietetics, like in many fields, the more extreme the viewpoint, the harder it becomes to see perspectives outside of it.
This polarization has sadly infiltrated our profession, whether we acknowledge it or not.
What am I talking about here?
I take pride in standing between many schools of thought and drawing from a broad spectrum of evidenced-based research to help my clients based on their unique needs.
In simple terms, you can call me a moderate.
This is why...
- I’m not anti-weight loss.
- I’m not pro-weight loss.
- I simply don’t prioritize weight loss as a key performance indicator (KPI) in my practice. (I have shared more on this in a previous email).
Yet, I understand that weight remains a complex and sensitive issue for many of my clients AND that health goes beyond the number on the scale.
When you acknowledge this nuance, you are embracing a non-diet approach that values well-being for all bodies, regardless of size.
But I take this one step further.
Because I know that not everyone is ready (and that is perfectly okay) to go in that direction.
So, what do we do? 👇
How I tailor a non-diet approach based on your needs
In my practice, I work with clients who are at very different points in their relationship with food and their body.
Here are three examples of how I might adapt my counseling depending on where someone is in their journey:
- The Tracker: this client feels most in control and confident when they track their food intake. They’re not yet comfortable trusting their body’s cues, and they may rely on external tools like apps or food journals. For them, we work together on slowly shifting from rigid tracking to learning how to tune into hunger and fullness. While they may start with tracking as a tool, the long-term goal is to help them rely less on external validation and more on internal cues.
- The Scale-Breaker: this client never wants to see a scale again. Dieting and tracking have become deeply triggering, and they’re ready to break free from the cycle. For them, the focus is entirely on healing their relationship with food and their body, without any pressure to weigh themselves or track their intake. We work on intuitive eating, body neutrality, and self-care practices that don’t involve numbers or measurements.
- The Evaluator: this client is comfortable with the scale—they aren’t triggered by it, but they’re curious to learn new ways of thinking about their health. For them, the scale is just one piece of data among many. They might be ready to audit their fiber intake, for example. We explore non-diet approaches together, introducing concepts like mindful eating and behavior-based goals, while leaving the door open for them to decide how (or if) they ever want to continue using the scale.
No two clients are the same, and that’s why I take an individualized approach, meeting you where you are.
Whether you feel more comfortable with structure or crave freedom from dieting altogether, I work with you to find a path that aligns with your values and goals.
I hope this gives you a clearer picture of how I guide different clients using a non-diet approach, regardless of what you are after:
- Cardiovascular health
- Blood glucose management
- Sports nutrition
- Gastrointestinal distress
- Chronic disease management
- Disordered eating intervention
- Eating disorder recovery
- Intuitive eating
While I can’t predict how your body will respond as you begin to heal from diet culture—whether you lose, maintain or gain weight—what I can promise is that you’ll improve your health and quality of life, independent of the scale.
Are you ready to make the non-diet shift? See my P.S.’s below.
If you have questions or want to have a refreshing conversation with someone who always wants to learn 👋, feel free to reach out and we can schedule a virtual coffee or tea ☕ (oh, how I love those!)
In good health,
P.S. The Non-diet S.H.I.F.T. Method is about to begin with select clientele and newsletter subscribers (you!)
P.P.S. details will be up on my site soon:
- Week 1: Self-Care – Assess how you care for yourself by identifying supportive and authentic boundaries and practices.
- Week 2: Health-Focused – Go beyond the scale and explore deeper health markers that reflect your well-being.
- Week 3: Informed Nutrition – Learn to filter out nutrition misinformation and make informed, science-based choices.
- Week 4: Flexible Eating – Find what works for you, with a flexible eating approach that doesn’t require rigid rules.
- Week 5: Tolerating Stress – Recognize when food is used for comfort versus numbing, and gain tools to cope more effectively.
- Week 6: Bonus Meal Planning– Receive a planner and library of easy, nutritious & delicious recipes to simplify meals for your busy week.
P.P.P.S if you are a dietitian, you have until Wednesday, September 18th to grab the early-bird discount for the Dietitian Money Conference (DMC). I am humbled to be speaking amongst these 18 incredible RDs!
