Whether you’re following the Atkins, South Beach, Master Cleanse, or your own made-up diet, think about taking a break. This no-diet holiday is reserved not only for eating whatever you want, but also for celebrating all body types, remembering the victims of eating disorders, and raising awareness of the dangers of diets by wearing a blue ribbon.
International No Diet Day (INDD) was founded in 1992 by Mary Evans Young, the director of the anti-diet campaign Diet Breakers. Her efforts to raise awareness were driven by seeing and hearing young girls and women committing suicide or damaging their bodies because of weight anxieties.
How to Spend a Diet Free Day
- Celebrate:
Free your thoughts of “the ideal” body type because there is no perfect one. Even models have flaws, which are just hidden well. As personalities vary, body shapes vary. Think of INDD as an official holiday where you are liberated from the “work” of dieting and letting it take over you. Invite your friends over for a champagne dinner or go out together and have fun.
Setting aside a no-diet day in May has been celebrated all over the world since 1993. Countries participating in the celebration include Australia, Canada, England, Germany New Zealand, Norway, Russia, United States, and South Africa.
- Indulge:
Food is one of the joys in life. It’s what brings people together. To deprive yourself of endless tastes and aromas means you’re missing out. Be free to treat yourself to that decadent chocolate cake or that strawberry crème brulee you were eyeing and desperately craving the other day but holding back. This doesn’t mean you should stuff your face and start binge eating.
It means savoring every bite, chewing slowly and thoughtfully as you appreciate the taste and art of what you are eating and how it was made. Eating at a leisurely pace is also healthier because it causes you to eat less—your body doesn’t realize how full you are until about 20 minutes after you have eaten.
- Remember:
Show your support to the victims of eating disorders by sporting a blue ribbon. Many deaths have resulted from anorexia including Brazilian model Ana Carolina, who passed away in 2006 from kidney failure and malnutrition when she was only 21. When a diet consists of only one or two food items such as apples and tomatoes, no matter how healthy the food may be, the missing nutrients will cause extreme harm to the body.
Remember to eat from all food groups. Striving to be healthy should be the goal of any diet. Fad diets are temporary and only work because they eliminate certain foods or calories. Common sense says that when you eat less than energy exerted, you lose weight.
- Appreciate:
Instead of obsessing over body weight, take the time to appreciate what you love and enjoy. Think about what you are thankful for and use the moment to step back and smile. Don’t let the opinions of others hamper a healthy self image.
References & Further Reading:
 |
