I usually do not write to magazines. However, the September issue of Good Housekeeping, in short, totally ticked me off. I like this magazine. I like the recipes. I like the articles (most of the time). This issue, however, had a few items in there that I felt were very troubling. The one that really got my heart pounding was their "Best tip we've heard this month" on page 77. It states:
"Trick yourself into feeling full: When study participants were given teaspoon-size sips of soup, they consumed 30% less than those whose premeasured mouthfuls were larger or who took as much as they wanted."
SERIOUSLY!!!
They also have an article entitled Rev Up Your Metabolism!
Snippets such as these are not harmful to the general public. However, if someone is struggling with body image issues, an eating disorder or has an unhealthy relationship with food, these can be damaging. I felt very compelled to write them a letter. Do I think it will get too far? No. It will go into the general e-mail file, but it sure made me feel better to write it. We need to start speaking out against the need for an unrealistic definition of beauty and take a stand against the multi-billion dollar dieting industry. Here is my letter:
Good afternoon ~
I have been a lifelong subscriber to your magazine loving
the advice, recipes, etc., you generously share with your reading
audience. I want to comment on your September issue depicting
Trisha Yearwood on the cover.
First, a little background. My daughter suffered with
anorexia for seven years. This is not a mental illness I would wish on
any family. Anorexia has the highest mortality rate of any mental
illness. People die from this disease. I work with families who
have a loved one with an eating disorder. Their stories are
heartbreaking and some have lost their daughters to this disease. I
believe, as a society, we need to stop putting so much emphasis on dieting,
weight loss and appearances. You cannot pick up a magazine without
the “diet of the week” plastered all over the cover of the current issue.
It’s troubling.
To that end, there are a few items that I would like to take
issue with in your September magazine.
On the cover:
~ Boost Your Metabolism – Foods that spark weight loss
~ Inside Trisha’s Fridge~Trisha Yearwood – I’m 35 pounds lighter! Her simple eating plan
Inside pages:
Page 42 – depicts a picture of the inside of Trisha
Yearwood’s refrigerator
Page 77 – Best tip we’ve heard this month. You go on
to mention how you can trick yourself into feeling full. Page 89 – The Best Scales
While this may not seem to be damaging to you, to someone suffering with body image issues or in the throes of an eating disorder, these types of messages you are sending are dangerous. Your “Best Tip” on page 77 is probably one of the most insane things I have ever read. People suffering with eating disorders or those dissatisfied with their bodies read snippets such as these and it can open a door to something very ugly. Also, highlighting the best scales is not necessary. People with eating disorders weigh themselves constantly. We do not need to see pictures of the latest scale with all the bells and whistles. I haven’t owned a scale in years and I do not intend to invest in another one. Also, depicting the inside of a refrigerator? Bad idea.
Read Ellyn Satter’s definition of normal eating:
Normal eating is going to the table
hungry and eating until you are satisfied. It is being able to choose food you
like and eat it and truly get enough of it—not just stop eating because you
think you should. Normal eating is being able to give some thought to your food
selection so you get nutritious food, but not being so wary and restrictive
that you miss out on enjoyable food. Normal eating is giving yourself
permission to eat sometimes because you are happy, sad or bored, or just
because it feels good. Normal eating is mostly three meals a day, or four or
five, or it can be choosing to munch along the way. It is leaving some cookies
on the plate because you know you can have some again tomorrow, or it is eating
more now because they taste so wonderful. Normal eating is overeating at times,
feeling stuffed and uncomfortable. And it can be under eating at times and
wishing you had more. Normal eating is trusting your body to make up for your
mistakes in eating. Normal eating takes up some of your time and attention, but
keeps its place as only one important area of your life.
In short, normal eating is flexible.
It varies in response to your hunger, your schedule, your proximity to food and
your feelings.
I would challenge you to publish an issue that has nothing to do with dieting or weight loss tips of any kind. Publish an issue on what it is like to eat normally. Focus on the HAES (Health at Every Size) movement. Talk to the National Eating Disorders Association. Talk to parents and friends who have a loved one suffering with an eating disorder. Hear their anguish and listen to how we have changed our view of what is beautiful. I no longer comment on someone’s appearance. I always say “it’s so nice to see you”.
Our obsession with weight loss in our society has taken a
turn for the worse. People are suffering due to an unrealistic
expectation of what is beautiful and acceptable. When did it stop
being OK to be who we are? I hope you take to heart and really
think about what you are publishing in your magazine. Become aware
of what message you are sending to your audience.
Let's all be aware of the messages we might be sending. Let us be mindful of what is real and authentic in people. L
