I am a Fat Positive Nutritionist
I AM A PROUD FAT POSITIVE NUTRITIONIST
And while I’m here for all bodies, I am not interested in the unfair elevation of the experience of privileged bodies.
I get messages from folks telling me that they hate me and my page. That I am not to be trusted as a nutrition professional. That I must be speaking to small-fat bodies when I say that all bodies are worthy of care, of recognition, of recovery, of respect.
And although the discourse in my inbox is upsetting, it is NOTHING compared to the bullshit that humans who live in larger bodies are made to contend with, every day.
I can block folks. I can choose to not respond. I can choose to educate and fight and advocate.
And these are my choices because of the privilege that I live with.
So when I say I am fat positive dietitian, I’m here for ALL fat bodies. Small fat, medium fat, super fat, infinity. Fat bodies that live with and without disease or disorder. Fat bodies that have dieted and felt as though they failed, and dieted again. Fat bodies that engage in physical activity, or not. Fat bodies that are able to access nutritious food, or not. Fat bodies that have experienced disordered eating or eating disorders, or not. Fat bodies that prioritize health, whatever that means to an individual, or not. Able fat bodies, and fat bodies with disability.
I am a fat-positive dietitian because working otherwise is perpetuating weight stigma. Weight stigma is deadly. I am a Health at Every Size® dietitian because neglecting to operate from this paradigm, particularly in the context of treating humans with eating disorders, is negligent at best, deadly at worst.
I’ve learned a lot in eleven years. Most importantly, about the importance of sitting down, learning from those with experiences that I have not had, and challenging the weight-centric treatment paradigm.
I am looking forward to a new year of LOUD fat positive voices. Dismantling fatphobia and weight stigma is good for ALL bodies.
Vadiveloo, 2017
