Dietitians and nutrition professionals can feel like the ‘nutrition baby’ is being thrown out with the ‘diet bathwater’ when learning about the Non-Diet Approach, HAES and Intuitive Eating. Many wonder, if I can’t tell people what to eat, what is left? Is there any point to dietitians? Do I just forget all my medical nutrition therapy knowledge? This existential crisis is a consequence of nutrition-related professions identifying with their key expertise being in weight management. This episode sorts the ‘therapeutic wheat’ from the ‘fatphobic chaff’ to offer an alternative perspective on your professional identity.

Learning Outcomes

Recognise the different meanings of the terms ‘diet’ and ‘dietary pattern’ and their common and technical uses

Identify the therapeutic nutrition elements in Health at Every Size, Intuitive Eating and the Non-Diet Approach frameworks, and their centring around ‘feel-good’ eating

Differentiate between internal vs external motivation and their application in weight-neutral practice