Together We Can Jump Off the Diet Roller Coaster!

Written By Katie Badger

Why? Like most people, I learned at an early age that health (and even happiness) was dependent on weight. Media, the medical world and my own family furthered my belief that striving for a “perfect body” through weight loss was the holy grail! I would be happy, healthy, and worthy of respect, only if I lost weight. I spent a lot of time trying to fit my body into societal standards. I even went to school to be a Registered Dietitian so I could finally have the secret to a perfect body. Well… it turns out there is a lot of misinformation out there. It has taken much time, much effort challenging societal norms and much commitment to a lot of unlearning.


Welcome to EveryBody Nutrition Counseling! I’m so glad you’re here! 

My mission is to help shift the narrative from a weight-centric approach to a weight-inclusive approach, because EveryBody deserves freedom from diet culture. 

Here are some highlights from the research. 

  • Health is NOT dependent on weight

  • Prioritizing weight is futile

  • Body size is not related to self worth

  • Food does not hold moral value

  • People come in different shapes and sizes 

Health is NOT dependent on weight

Society places a lot of emphasis on weight, often equating thinness with health. But true well-being is about much more than a number. It’s about feeling good—both emotionally and physically—and adopting habits that support long-term wellness. Research shows that behavior changes, not weight loss, are what improve health. In a study of over 11,000 men and women, those who adopted healthy habits saw reduced mortality rates, regardless of their body mass index (BMI). (Stayed tuned for a future post about the problems with BMI!)

Prioritizing Weight is Futile

Most diets are restrictive, focusing on eliminating certain foods or drastically reducing calories. While this may lead to short-term weight loss, it’s unsustainable. People often regain the weight they lose—and sometimes even more—because diets aren’t designed for long-term success. Repeatedly losing and regaining weight (weight cycling) is more harmful than maintaining a higher, stable weight. Studies show that weight cycling increases the risk of chronic conditions like cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

Food Does Not Hold Moral Value

Ever thought, “Ugh, I’m so bad for eating (fill in the blank).” Ya, me too! But the truth is, eating food we like does not make us bad. So let’s ditch the good food, bad food labels… it isn’t serving anyone!


Bodies Come in Different Shapes and Sizes

A person’s body shape and size are influenced by more than just diet and exercise. Genetics, medical conditions, medications, food access, mental health, preferences, and age all play a role. Weight diversity is natural, and health exists at every size.

Kids Feel the Negative Impact of Diet Culture

As I mentioned before, I was taught from a young age that being a certain size was REALLY important. I watched the adult women in my life criticize their own bodies, drink endless amounts of meal replacement drinks and snack on food that was essentially air. And while a lot of thin = good messaging came from movies, magazines and even doctors, the thing we have most control over is the message we are sending to our kids. If we want them to grow up with a healthy relationship to food, movement and their body, then we need to do the work ourselves. 

The EveryBody Way = Food Freedom

So after completing all the necessary schooling, internships and tests needed to become a Registered Dietitian, I realized the mainstream message is wrong and comes at a big cost. So I created EveryBody Nutrition Counseling to help you unlearn diet culture and move to a place of food freedom. Instead of chasing unattainable goals, we focus on learning to live in your here-and-now body, finding pleasure in eating, feeling nourished and satisfied by food, and embracing movement that invigorates you. It’s about fostering respect for your body.

Weight-inclusive care may seem like a “do nothing” approach at first glance, but it’s far from that. The focus is on discovering what makes you feel your best—mentally, emotionally, and physically.

The journey to food freedom and body respect looks different for everyone. At EveryBody Nutrition Counseling, I prioritize individualized care tailored to your specific nutritional needs, lifestyle, and goals. I’ll be there to support and guide you every step of the way.

And, did you know most insurance companies cover nutrition counseling (often at no cost to you)? Check out the insurance companies I am currently in network with: https://www.everybodynutritionrd.com/appointmentsandpolicies

So what’s stopping you? Let’s jump off the roller coaster together!

Katie Badger