Why Processed Food Isn’t the Problem and Other Wellness Culture Myths with Shana Spence, RD (best of)

Shana Spence, a registered dietitian (who you might know as @thenutritiontea on social media), joins the pod to bust myths about processed foods and to discuss how family, culture, privilege, and societal influences shape our relationship with food.

This is a rerun – we recorded this conversation over a year ago, and misinformation about food and ingredients has only intensified. This episode feels important to share again right now, especially in light of recent reductions in food assistance programs.

Shana shares how her initial career path and disordered eating fueled her decision to become a dietitian, and reflects on how dietetics education perpetuates diet culture, focusing on BMI and stereotypes. She talks about her perspective shift over time, the process of moving toward an anti-diet and weight-inclusive approach, and why the social determinants of health matter more than individual food choices.

Tune in to hear more about…

The pressure of food restriction as a badge of honor

Privilege affecting food choices

The misleading fears about processed foods

The oversimplification of food into good vs. bad categories. 

How family and cultural background impact dieting

External societal pressures on our relationship with food

Diet culture and healthism

Dietitian education's role in perpetuating diet culture

Stereotyping in healthcare

Shana’s perspective shift on nutrition and dieting

Restriction as a form of validation

Black-and-white thinking in nutrition

Why we don't need to "fix" people's eating habits

Shana Spence is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist based in New York, who considers herself an “eat anything” dietitian, and counsels on a HAES (Healthy At Every Size) and an Intuitive Eating approach. She is also the author of Live Nourished - Make Peace with Food, Banish Body Shame, and Reclaim Joy. Find her website here https://www.thenutritiontea.com/  and find her on instagram at @thenutritiontea.

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Podcast Cover Photography by Anya McInroy

Podcast Editing by Brian Walters

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