Episode 233: Why Food and Body Comments Trigger You (and What to Do About Them)

“It helps ground me when I remind myself that what people say about food or bodies reveals their own relationship with food, not mine.”

Walking out of family gatherings with a heavy heart, questioning your progress, or replaying offhand comments about your body is a reality for so many of us. Toxic food, body, and diet talk seem to show up at every turn, especially around the people we love most. In this episode, I’m opening up about my own experience with triggering family comments, why those words stick with us for years, and how we can gently reclaim our peace, even if those around us aren’t quite ready to join us.

I want to take you deep into why comments about food and bodies at family events hit harder when you’re working on your relationship with food. Together, we’ll explore ways to protect your emotional well-being, anticipate difficult conversations, and hold steady when others are still stuck in diet culture. My goal is to leave you feeling confident, prepared, and more grounded – no matter what comes up at your next family meal.

Through personal stories, reflection questions, and actionable tips, you’ll learn how to manage those activating conversations without losing the progress you’ve made. Healing isn’t about shutting out the world; it’s about finding your footing within it and building resilience, self-compassion, and stronger boundaries.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why comments about food and bodies can feel so activating when you’re healing your relationship with food
• How to respond (or not respond) in ways that protect your mental, physical, and emotional well-being
• Actionable language to set boundaries with loved ones, and how to communicate your needs without confrontation
• How to reframe the expectations you put on yourself and others in these moments
• Simple self-check-ins, affirmations, and coping strategies for groundedness before, during, and after difficult conversations
• The importance of focusing on what’s in your control and letting go of what isn’t when diet culture talk surfaces

If you’ve ever thought, “Why is it so hard to stop eating when I’m full?” – you’re not alone. And spoiler alert: it’s not about willpower or control. It goes so much deeper than that. Grab the free Honoring Fullness Checklist right now at DietCultureRebel.com/Checklist to start building a more positive relationship with food.

Come back next week for another episode and connect with me over on Instagram at @diet.culture.rebel.

Struggling with food, but not sure where to start?

You don’t have to feel 100% ready to get support. If you’re tired of obsessing over food or feeling stuck in the diet cycle, my team of Registered Dietitians is here to help. We offer one-on-one nutrition counseling—and we accept insurance! Spots are limited, so head to https://dietculturerebel.com/insurance to see if we’re covered in your state and learn how to get started.