SALT LAKE CITY — Although the word "diet" is in my official title as a registered dietitian nutritionist, I don’t promote dieting. Naturally, on May 6 each year, I get really excited about the opportunity to celebrate International No Diet Day. This day is dedicated to raising awareness about the pitfalls of dieting and helping lead people toward a healthier relationship with food and their bodies.

Many people I work with on an individual basis are on board with the idea that diets don’t work, but they still want help navigating through our diet and thin-obsessed world with their mental health intact. I compiled a list of resources for developing a healthier relationship with food and body in honor of this special day where we take a break from restriction and dieting.

Choose the forms of media that you like best and start there. Maybe you want to make changes to a more body positive approach on your social media accounts or maybe you absolutely love to listen to podcasts. Perhaps nothing completes you more than a great book. Or, maybe you’d love to dive into an in-depth online course. Start with what interests you and save this list for later as you continue your non-dieting journey.

You’ll notice many of the resources listed below have to do with eating disorders and you may wonder what the connection is from dieting to eating disorders. In truth, dieting is one of the biggest predictors of eating disorders, disordered eating and weight gain. So, take a look at these lists and see what piques your interest and celebrate International No Diet Day in a way that works for you.

Articles: This list contains articles that are fairly concise, easy to understand and shareable with friends and family. Articles can get you thinking a new way and can inspire change.

• Metabolism 101 from St. George-based dietitian and behavior change expert Emily Fonnesbeck.
• 29 ways to celebrate No Diet Day today and everyday.
• Learning the art of recognizing hunger and fullness.
• How "diet" can start to feel like a four-letter word.
• Why you should end the dieting game forever.
• How to detect if your healthy eating efforts have become problematic.
• Ideas for developing body confidence.
• More non-dieting, lifestyle change tips.

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End the dieting game — forever

Advice about what to eat, what to avoid eating and how to lose weight are all around us.

Websites and blogs: Here are some of my favorite blogs to follow for more food for thought. Many of these websites contain vast amounts of helpful resources for healthy attitudes and approaches to food and weight.

• Intuitive Eating is a website dedicated to providing community and support for those making efforts to become more intuitive about their eating.
• The Center for Mindful Eating provides resources for becoming a more mindful, in-tune and joyful eater.
• Real Mom Nutrition is a blog devoted to helping to make healthy, wholesome eating realistic for the whole family.
• Beauty Redefined is a website developed by two 30-year-old identical twins with PhDs in the study of media and body image devoted to helping women develop a healthier body image.
• Ellyn Satter Institute provides resources and articles to help you foster a healthy body image in your kids and family.
• Health at Every Size principles help us be at peace in our bodies, supporting people of all sizes in finding compassionate ways to take care of themselves.

• Nutrition Matters Podcast is my podcast that I have so much fun with. This podcast aims to explore what really matters in the world of nutrition and health with a realistic and sensitive approach.
• Mind, Body Musings is hosted by a former fitness model and healthy body image advocate. Since she’s been there in the trenches of extreme dieting and exercise, she provides a great personal touch that’s unique and so very valuable.
• Food Psych is hosted by Christy Harrison, a registered dietitian nutritionist and journalist, who dives into personal stories of recovery from dieting and disordered eating.
• Fit & Vibrant You is a podcast all about reclaiming your health through positivity. The host is a personal trainer who has an approach that’s unique and refreshing.
• Recovery Warriors focuses on healing from the inside out and promotes strengthening self-love.
• Savor Podcast is hosted by a psychologist and a registered dietitian and provides resources for recovery from an eating disorder.
• Dietitians Unplugged is a podcast devoted to supporting people on their non-dieting journey.

• Man Up to Eating Disorders is written by a very well-respected mental health professional who works with men in recovery from eating disorders. This in-depth view of what binge eating disorder and anorexia look like is powerful and life-changing.
• Brain Over Binge is a book written by a woman who recovered from bulimia using techniques rooted in the powerful capacity of her own thought processes.
• Life Without ED is written by an eating disorder survivor of her recovery and chronicles how she changed her life and her thinking to develop a healthier body image and food relationship.
• Eating in the Light of the Moon uses metaphor to illustrate how women can improve their relationship with food.
• Eat What You Love, Love What You Eat focuses on the diet-driven downward spiral that leads you to eat, repent, and repeat. She offers a powerful alternative: stop being afraid of food and start eating mindfully and joyfully.
• Body Respect learning to respect and honor your body where it is and stop the dieting cycle.
• Health at Every Size focuses on teaching you how to feel great in your body right now. It outlines the scientifically proven way you can boost your health and your self-esteem.

• Intuitive Eating Online Workshop provided by the authors of the book, Intuitive Eating
• Lisa Kitzing online Intuitive Eating Course

• Josee Sovinsky, RD
• Marci Evans Anderson, MS, RDN, cPT
• Blair Mize, RD
• Moderation Movement
• Be Truly Nourished
• Academy for Eating Disorders

Paige is a registered dietitian nutritionist who specializes in helping people heal their relationship with food. She is the mom to two lovely little girls and the wife to one amazing husband. Paige believes the mental side of food and nutrition is just as important as the physical side. She is the host of Nutrition Matters Podcast and has a private nutrition consulting business based in Salt Lake City, UT. Follow her on Facebook or Instagram for recipes and more food for thought!

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