How Do You Respond to Food Shaming?​

Written by : Harmandeep Kaur Grewal – MA (Psychology)

Last updated date: February 08, 2023

You may have experienced your friends teasing when you try to take a certain diet to maintain weight. For example, my friends would laugh when I eat salad in place of fatty meals. Moreover, one of my friends would even remark, ‘You have not lost any weight despite eating grass!.’ Well, weight gain or loss has not been on my mind when I prefer a kind of food. I would like to stay fit with eating a lot of vegetables and greens. Now How do you respond to food shaming? Also, you should know why food shaming is harmful.

Furthermore, your friends or colleagues judge people for their food habits due to cultural factors. Also, your culture may not prefer western food and would criticize those who eat western foods. Therefore, it could lead to judgements on people. For instance, your relatives are not used to burgers and pizza. Moreover, when they see you eating a hamburger, then she will make a face and comment on it. Also, you not like other’s interference in your choice.


“Very interesting and relevant” John

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Chapter 1:

How Do You Respond to Food Shaming?

You may have noticed guilt developing inside you when others comment on your food habits. How do you respond to food shaming? why is food shaming harmful? It is important that you manage your food guilt well. Otherwise, it can put in a guilt cycle.

  • First of all, stop being depressed or sad because of negative people. You cannot allow yourself to be controlled by others. Moreover, you are a rational person. Also, people like to comment casually. SO, taking any casual comment seriously is going to affect you negatively.
  • For instance, you had pancakes with chocolate syrup in the morning. And, your aunt said you will get diabetes after eating so much sweet items. So, you are feeling guilty and depressed.
  • Secondly, you had promised yourself not to eat cake for a week. But, you could not keep that promise. So, you are sad and guilty. Moreover, you feel that you are never going to change your food habits. Therefore, you eat more to comfort yourself. And you get yourself in this cycle of guilt.
  • Thirdly, You spent your savings on expensive and unhealthy food. And, now you are feeling guilty. Moreover, you wanted to save the money which you paid on an expensive restaurant.
  • Next of all, you should keep in mind that losing weight is not equal to your happiness. Moreover, by eating extra one or two days will not make you fat. So, you need to dissolve any guilt that arises out of eating habits.

Chapter 2:

Handling Food Guilt

You may have noticed guilt developing inside you when others comment on your food habits. How do you respond to food shaming? Why is food shaming harmful? It is important that you manage your food guilt well. Otherwise, it can put you in a guilt cycle.
  • First and foremost, stop being depressed or sad because of negative people. You cannot allow yourself to be controlled by others. Moreover, you are a rational person. Also, people like to comment casually. SO, taking any casual comment seriously is going to affect you negatively.
  • For instance, you had pancakes with chocolate syrup in the morning. And, your aunt said you will get diabetes after eating so many sweet items. So, you are feeling guilty and depressed.
  • You had promised yourself not to eat cake for a week. But, you could not keep that promise. So, you are sad and guilty. Moreover, you feel that you are never going to change your food habits. Therefore, you eat more to comfort yourself. And you get yourself in this cycle of guilt.
  • You spent your savings on expensive and unhealthy food. And, now you are feeling guilty. Moreover, you wanted to save the money which you paid on an expensive restaurant.
  • Finally, you should keep in mind that losing weight is not equal to your happiness. Moreover, eating extra one or two days will not make you fat. So, you need to dissolve any guilt that arises out of eating habits.

Chapter 3:

Trusting Yourself

When people comment on the food you eat, you need to trust yourself. How do you respond to food shaming? And why is food shaming harmful? You should trust yourself and your food habits. Otherwise you will feel depressed or guilty after negative comments. You should stay positive.
  • Firstly, if someone says, are you going to eat all on the table? You should respond politely. Also, you should not take others’ words to heart. So, trust yourself as a good decision maker when it comes to food. For instance, you avoid carbs to lose weight. But sometimes you eat bread or roti to get the required energy for the day. If someone wants you to change your eating while you are fine with it then do not change it. Moreover, you know best about your eating and body changes.
  • Second of all, you should calmly respond to shaming at the workplace. Moreover, when you eat in cafeteria at your job people observe your food. If a person comments on your food do not react. He may not know your eating habits well. Also, if he body shames you then you can ask him to mind his business.

Chapter 4:

When Your Food Habits Really Need a Change

You may get upset ver others comments on your food. But sometimes you need to change your food habits. How do you respond to food shaming? Why is food shaming harmful? Furthermore, if you are consuming food items which are not good for you then you need to abandon the habits. Also, drinking and smoking should be controlled for your health.

  • Firstly, if you have high blood pressure and high sugar level then you need to avoid certain food items. Also, if you are consuming these items often then your body will face consequences. You need to put a break from those habits. For instance, you like to binge on cake and pastries. You need to reduce your intake of sugary items.
  • Secondly, you should take baby steps at changing your long-term habits. Therefore, no need to rush. You can always go little each day. But, you should improve your diet gradually.
  • Next of all, if you are underweight, then you need to consume healthy food items. Moreover, nutritious diet is essential for you.
  • Furthermore, you need to be aware that your food habits are responsible for your health. Also, you should acknowledge that you need to change the habits. For instance, you eat oily and fat food before you go to sleep. And it has caused acidity and other problems. So, you need to aviod eating unheatlthy food items at night.

For more information, please click “Courses” on the navigation bar and check out our online self-help courses on mental health and wellbeing. The course titled “Binge Eating Disorder Treatment” will provide an elaborate explanation of the topic.


"Very interesting and relevant" John

72 sections

6-Weeks Self-Paced

  • Educational Content
  • Quizzes
  • Self-reflection material
  • Suggestions & feedback
  • Worksheet, tips & tools to use

$9.00 $12.00

25% discount