When you think about your body, what comes up for you? Ambivalence, love, disgust, shame? Words like strong, fat, lean, cellulite? What about when you think about your kids’ bodies? What comes up for THEM when they think about their own bodies?
Our guest today is Megan Kniskern, and we are going deep into the impact of diet culture and generational beliefs that affect negative body image in yourself and how that impacts your kids.
Megan has been working in the field of eating disorders and mental health since 2008 with a focus on nutrition therapy, group moderation, and incorporating a collaborative, firm and individualized approach to care.
She serves clients in private practice and also is as a Senior Lecturer at Arizona State University where she teaches in the College of Health Solutions. In 2014, she developed an eating disorders and addictions graduate seminar course, the first of its kind at the University.
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Show Notes
Hey, hey friend! Welcome to Episode #66 of The Secrets of Supermom Show!
This episode is sponsored by The Supermom Society, the only membership of its kind that combines productivity training–so you can do more in less time–with parenting training–so you can confidently be the mom you dream to be. I want you to close your eyes and picture this:
- You start your month stress-free because you already planned out all the most important parts of your life
- Each week you plan out your perfect week knowing that you will stay consistent and accountable to YOU
- You create a life where you actually have more time to do the things you love
- You have personal productivity systems in place that make you a happier and more present mom
- Each month you learn new ways to uplevel your parenting in ways you never honestly thought possible
- And you are doing it all with a group of amazing women who totally have your back and totally want to see you succeed!
I believe that an intentional plan, productivity strategy, and a little parenting magic will change your life. I believe it so much that I created The Supermom Society with moms just like you in mind.
The Supermom Society is a private community for busy moms that want to do more in less time. Get strategies, community, clarity, and all the support you need to be a positive, present mom and a productive human in whatever life brings to the table. Each month you will walk away with a plan for your next month (and even next quarter and year), new time management and parenting skills, and all your questions answered from a group of moms who are ready to beat burnout and stay happy in the process.
I can’t wait to show you what it’s like to have more time, less stress, and a community to hold you up. Head to www.thesupermomsociety.com for all the details!
When you think about your body, what comes up for you? Ambivalence, love, disgust, shame? Words like strong, fat, lean, cellulite? What about when you think about your kids’ bodies? What comes up for THEM when they think about their own bodies?
Feels like a lot, right?
Our guest today is Megan Kniskern, and we are going deep into the impact of diet culture and generational beliefs that affect negative body image in yourself and how that impacts your kids.
I ask Megan for feedback on words I use and conversations I have with my own kids, and she gives me some honest feedback on where I can do better. Because I want to do better.
Megan has been working in the field of eating disorders and mental health since 2008 with a focus on nutrition therapy, group moderation, and incorporating a collaborative, firm and individualized approach to care.
She serves clients in private practice and also is as a Senior Lecturer at Arizona State University where she teaches in the College of Health Solutions. In 2014, she developed an eating disorders and addictions graduate seminar course, the first of its kind at the University.
I just loved Megan when I met her, and I know that you will love her too!
Negative Body Image, Diet Culture, and Your Kids with Megan Kniskern
Today we discuss…
- The impact of diet culture on your own body image from an early age
- The DEEP generational impact of diet culture and negative body image on us at a cellular level
- Weight Watchers, SnackWells, Atkins, Slim-Fast and many of the other diets you might have tried
- The normalizing of deprivation and control of food in society
- Even though we want to change and do things differently, we fulfill many of the patterns we have lived for so long
- Using the way you speak food words to initiate change
- The villainizing of food words and the impact on disordered eating
- As early as age 3, kids are having body awareness and want to change their bodies
- The fear of “fat”…being fat, fat in your food, and the “loading up” of the term
- Talking to your kids about discomforts in their body instead of hiding them…”It’s not gonna get better if it just stays in your head”
- The statistics around disordered eating and extreme food behaviors and the number one predictors of these behaviors
- How to keep the conversation open with your children around their body and food
- How to avoid “moralizing” foods as good or bad
- Some personal conversations I had with my own kids and Megan’s honest feedback on how I can do better
- Using non-body-related compliments about who your kids are instead of what they look like
- Thinking about how you talk to your child about body changes, growth, and differences year to year
- Megan recommended the book “How to Raise an Intuitive Eater” to help you raise a child without shame around food
- The interesting correlation of the increase of diet culture and the increase of the obesity epidemic
