Thank you for having this conversation Emiko. I find it so sad how deeply ingrained diet culture is in food culture; you'd think that foodie and chef-y folks would be immune to it and just celebrate the joy of food, but it's so pervasive. It can be difficult to find safe food spaces to send my clients who are trying to heal their relationship with food and their bodies and reclaim pleasure from food after years of dieting and disordered eating. I'm so pleased you and Julia are pushing back. And yes, F the food police 😅
I get so upset with Italians saying "ti vedo bene" - de facto mostly meaning "you've lost weight" (or "you've not gained any since we last met"). Primary school children not wanting to eat because of fat shaming (at school or at home). Women (more often than men, I fear) judging other women because of their (or their children's) body type. The list is so long...
Also most people equate health with eating less, rather than with eating something nutricious (like good quality icecream).
(By the way, I had not realised vanilla icecream was so rare here!)
When I lived in Italy in the 90's, there was a whole segment on TV about the nutritional benefits of ice cream! It was explained that the ingredients were very healthy--milk, eggs, etc. I never really thought about it that way, but yes!
Hi I just wanted to thank you for writing that article. It was beautiful and so is your daughter. This very first thing you notice about her is her beautiful smile and the obvious joy that radiates outwardly. I enjoy your articles because they capture the true essence of Italian culture and its people. Looking forward to your continued articles. I am sorry for the hurt that was thrown your way. Sending the the Love from the USA.
My friend and I were just talking about this. Yes! Such a good subject and I agree with you. It’s hard not to criticize ourselves with even a little gain here and there. My hubby especially struggles with his weight but loves food so much and equates food with family and happiness. I have to be careful not to shame him since we always hear bad sugar good broccoli! Thank you for this and I’ll pass it on to my friend as well. Your daughter is lovely! Xoxo Lisa Hay
This is brilliant, Emiko! I am halfway through reading Bee Wilson’s book, First Bite and am fascinated. These labels that food has been given can be so dangerous and we try really hard in our home not to label anything good or bad, instead it is nourishing, energy rich food that makes us feel good. I remember being sat at the table when I was younger, not allowed to leave until all of my stone-cold peas were eaten….it was awful. Our two kiddies make up their own minds when their tummies are full and if they want to give something a try then they can and if not then that’s fine too. 9 times out of 10 they will give it a try because they haven’t been forced. I look forward to reading some of the links you have shared here.
Thank you for having this conversation Emiko. I find it so sad how deeply ingrained diet culture is in food culture; you'd think that foodie and chef-y folks would be immune to it and just celebrate the joy of food, but it's so pervasive. It can be difficult to find safe food spaces to send my clients who are trying to heal their relationship with food and their bodies and reclaim pleasure from food after years of dieting and disordered eating. I'm so pleased you and Julia are pushing back. And yes, F the food police 😅
I get so upset with Italians saying "ti vedo bene" - de facto mostly meaning "you've lost weight" (or "you've not gained any since we last met"). Primary school children not wanting to eat because of fat shaming (at school or at home). Women (more often than men, I fear) judging other women because of their (or their children's) body type. The list is so long...
Also most people equate health with eating less, rather than with eating something nutricious (like good quality icecream).
(By the way, I had not realised vanilla icecream was so rare here!)
When I lived in Italy in the 90's, there was a whole segment on TV about the nutritional benefits of ice cream! It was explained that the ingredients were very healthy--milk, eggs, etc. I never really thought about it that way, but yes!
Hi I just wanted to thank you for writing that article. It was beautiful and so is your daughter. This very first thing you notice about her is her beautiful smile and the obvious joy that radiates outwardly. I enjoy your articles because they capture the true essence of Italian culture and its people. Looking forward to your continued articles. I am sorry for the hurt that was thrown your way. Sending the the Love from the USA.
My friend and I were just talking about this. Yes! Such a good subject and I agree with you. It’s hard not to criticize ourselves with even a little gain here and there. My hubby especially struggles with his weight but loves food so much and equates food with family and happiness. I have to be careful not to shame him since we always hear bad sugar good broccoli! Thank you for this and I’ll pass it on to my friend as well. Your daughter is lovely! Xoxo Lisa Hay
This is brilliant, Emiko! I am halfway through reading Bee Wilson’s book, First Bite and am fascinated. These labels that food has been given can be so dangerous and we try really hard in our home not to label anything good or bad, instead it is nourishing, energy rich food that makes us feel good. I remember being sat at the table when I was younger, not allowed to leave until all of my stone-cold peas were eaten….it was awful. Our two kiddies make up their own minds when their tummies are full and if they want to give something a try then they can and if not then that’s fine too. 9 times out of 10 they will give it a try because they haven’t been forced. I look forward to reading some of the links you have shared here.