Why it's time to ditch the diets!

The global diet industry is GINORMOUS, raking in billions of pounds annually! Estimated to be worth over £100 billion worldwide, its reach extends across every corner of the globe, promising weight loss, health, and happiness in exchange for expensive products, plans, and programs. But behind its glossy marketing lies a darker truth: the industry thrives on perpetuating insecurities and fostering a toxic relationship with our food and body image.

The Rise of Diet Culture

Diet culture is a system of beliefs that prioritises thinness and equates it with health, moral virtue, and success. It pressures individuals to pursue an (often unachievable) "ideal" body at all costs, ignoring the complexities of genetics, mental health, actual health and holistic well-being. This mindset, championed by the diet industry, typically puts foods into two categories; “good” and “bad” and convinces people that their self-worth is somehow tied to what they eat or how they look.

From fad diets such as Weight Watchers, Slimming World, the 5:2 (yup, it’s a diet), meal replacement shakes to subscription-based apps and (most worryingly) weight-loss medications, the industry thrives on creating an endless loop of dissatisfaction. Promises of quick fixes lure customers, but these unsustainable solutions fail in the long term, leading to a cycle of weight regain and emotional distress. This yo-yo effect isn’t just physically and emotionally draining—it’s profitable. Every failure ensures a repeat customer.

The Cost of Profits

The financial success of the diet industry comes at a significant cost to individuals’ physical and mental health. Over 80% of people who lose weight on a diet regain it (plus more) within five years, often blaming themselves rather than the unsustainable nature of whatever diet program they followed. This internalised shame fuels further dieting attempts, creating a vicious cycle.

Moreover, society’s obsession with thinness has led to a rise in eating disorders, anxiety, and depression. Studies have shown that the relentless focus on calorie counting and restrictive eating can damage one’s relationship with themselves, their body and food, leading to disordered eating patterns. Meanwhile, marketing campaigns capitalise on these insecurities, selling not just a product, but an unattainable ideal.

So, what can we do?

We need to challenge and change the narrative! While the diet industry continues to profit, a growing movement is pushing back against its harmful narratives. Advocates for intuitive eating, body neutrality, and health at every size (HAES) encourage people to break free from the diet mentality. These approaches focus on reconnecting with the body’s natural hunger and fullness signals, fostering self-acceptance, and prioritising health over a number on the scale.

Challenging diet culture isn’t easy. It requires unlearning years of societal messaging and resisting a billion-pound industry designed to keep you coming back for more. But it is a key step in building a healthier relationship with food and our bodies.

All in All…

The diet industry’s profits are built on the illusion of perfection and the promise of control, yet it leaves countless individuals feeling powerless, ashamed, and disconnected. By rejecting the myths and lies we are sold and embracing a more compassionate approach to health and well-being, we can dismantle the harmful systems that have profited from our pain for far too long. True wellness isn’t about chasing a number on the scale—it’s about nurturing a life that feels full and free of rules and restrictions.

We only get one life and one body, it is our vehicle to carry us through the wonderful experiences, the mundane day to day chores and the storms we may face. We are human, we are unique, let’s stop trying to fight our genetics and instead respect and learn to accept them and our bodies because, really, our weight is the least interesting thing about us!