Fresh Conversations with Cole Kazdin: what’s life like on the other side of diet culture?
A Fresh Story, season 7, episode 10
In this conversation, author and journalist Cole Kazdin discusses her book What's Eating Us? and the epidemic of body anxiety. She shares her personal experience with an eating disorder and her journey to recovery. The conversation explores the concept of finding joy in food and how to navigate diet culture. Cole also talks about her recent food experiences in New York and the vibrancy of food in different cities. In this part of the conversation, we discuss the shift in diet culture and the introduction of weight loss drugs. We chat about the complexity and importance of this topic, as well as the potential dangers of these drugs. The conversation also explores the under-diagnosis of eating disorders and the need for better education and awareness. We emphasize the importance of connecting with our bodies and rejecting societal pressures.
We discuss the impact of diet culture on our relationship with food and the joy of embracing our true desires. In this conversation, Cole Kazdin discusses the journey of relearning what you enjoy in food and the importance of experimenting and loosening up rigidity. They also explore the challenges of finding time for self-care and prioritizing oneself in a busy and overwhelming world. The conversation emphasizes the importance of embracing gray areas in life and using food as a tool for self-discovery. We also share our favorite salad recipes and discuss the sensory experience of food. Overall, the conversation highlights the broader themes of self-care, self-discovery, and the connection between food and well-being.
Key takeaways from this episode with Cole Kazdin:
Recovery from an eating disorder involves building a healthy relationship with food and finding joy in eating.
Diet culture perpetuates restrictive eating patterns and can hinder the ability to enjoy food.
Finding moments of joy in food, even in challenging circumstances, can enhance the overall eating experience.
Food experiences can vary in different cities, with New York often offering vibrant and diverse culinary options.