Diet Culture Rebel Podcast 228. Abbey Sharp’s Take on Diet Trends, SkinnyTok, and Healing Your Relationship with Food
"I hear from people every single day about how they've been harmed physically and emotionally by things that influencers and content creators online have sold to them."
You’ve probably noticed diet trends come and go, from raw vegan frugivore diets to the current protein obsession, but what’s less obvious is how healing your relationship with food changes more than just how you eat. It shifts how you feel, how you relate to others, and even how you view your past. In my conversation with Registered Dietitian and content creator, Abbey Sharp, we dig deep into the messy middle of food healing: from the anger and blame many of us experience at the start, to the compassion and empathy that grows with time.
We look back on diet trends that might make you say, “Wait, did we really do that?” - like viral fruit-only diets and food combining rules. Abbey shares her journey combating misinformation online, the harm caused by extreme influencers, and how relentless trends keep fueling confusion and frustration. Together, we talk about the power of not rushing healing and why allowing yourself to feel and reflect can eventually make empathy come easily and naturally.
From what it’s like to be on the receiving end of body comments, to how embracing a balanced, non-extreme way of eating is truly health-promoting, this episode reminds us that while diet culture is loud, you are not alone in your healing. Whether you’re in the thick of it or starting to feel things shift, there is hope for a more peaceful, intuitive relationship with food.
What You’ll Learn:
- What it looks like to move from anger and resentment to compassion and empathy in your food healing journey
- How diet culture trends from the early 2010s to today’s “SkinnyTok” cause real harm, especially online
- Why quick fixes and extreme approaches are not sustainable, and what truly promotes lasting health
- How Abbey handled body comments during a challenging season, and her advice for setting boundaries
- What “fake it till you make it” means when it comes to practicing food freedom and body neutrality
- The biggest nutrition myths still floating around online (and which one Abbey would love to erase forever!)
Whether you feel stuck or frustrated in your journey, I promise you are not alone in questioning diet culture. I’m so grateful Abbey shared the science, her sass, and her vulnerable real-life stories on the show.
Abbey's Resources:
Grab the free Honoring Fullness Checklist 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.