Anti-Oppression Mission Statement.

This statement reflects my values and practices as it pertains to anti-oppression, social and racial justice work.

We believe and stand in solidarity with communities that fight against oppressive systems of injustice.

We believe it is dangerous to do nothing, to not speak up, because white supremacy will be upheld when white folks are complacent.

We, as an “anti-diet” dietitians, are committed to dismantling oppressive systems, especially as it pertains to body politics, health and diet culture.

We believe that diet culture is rooted in white supremacy and the perpetuation of beauty and body ideal “standards” are oppressive and harmful.

We believe in actively dismantling these beauty and body ideal “standards” by the rejection of diet culture and practices. The thin, cis, white, able-bodied ideal, has created conditions that repeatedly reinforce trauma, shame and self-blame. Diet culture practices (dieting), as well as the perpetuation of the thin ideal causes separation from our bodies. Disembodied individuals are disempowered as they are removed from their voice and their truth.

We believe that recovery from diet culture parallels the work of decolonizing and anti-racism work. Both are about recovering from systems of oppression, and about reclaiming embodiment. Both are about listening more; increasing our awareness, and learning to sit with discomfort.

We believe that health is not a moral obligation. Health is a privilege reserved for some when it ought to be a birthright reserved for all. When we talk about what it means to be “healthy” we need to talk about the oppressive systems that do not grant equal access to health. 

We believe in blaming the system rather than the individual for poor health outcomes such as “obesity.” We believe that “obesity” is an outdated description that reinforces weight stigma and discrimination.

We believe that one cannot do this healing work without a social justice lens/framework. Black, Indigenous and People of Color, trans and non-binary folks, queer people, super and inifinifat folks, and people with disabilities are disproportionately impacted by barriers to healthcare and wellness services due to systemic and institutionalized systems.

We have been practicing as dietitians since 2005, and it is important to name our many unearned privileges. We are white, cis, able-bodied, educated, middle class women of average to thin body size. We will do our best to hold space for you to help mitigate the impact the culture has had on you if it does not mirror your lived experience.

We believe in receiving ongoing education from Black and Brown educators. We are committed to “doing the work,” which means we will have difficult conversations together as we collectively work to name and dismantle these oppressive systems. We will show up imperfectly and make mistakes along the way. We are learning and unlearning and doing our best along this path of healing. When we cause harm, we seek consultation and engage in accountability processes for repair.

Our practice, Mindful Nutrition promotes diversity and inclusion as a core value in our work. We recognize all types of diversity including and not limited to size, ethnicity, race, gender, sexual orientation, age, class, citizenship status, religion and abilities. We celebrate and honor the strength, creativity and power that comes from experiencing different viewpoints, backgrounds and cultures.