'Killer' food?
The UK's lockdown PE sensation, Joe Wicks, has annoyed a lot of people with his Channel 4 shockumentary, Licensed to Kill, which set out to expose 'killer' unhealthy, ultra-processed foods.
Whilst you'd be forgiven for thinking the angriest would be the food companies, it's riled up health advocates and nutrition experts because of the show's 'lack of nuance' and 'fearmongering'.
Dr Ann Colton, a food psychologist and author of How to Talk to Your Children About Food, often treats patients who have developed eating disorders.
She says fear-mongering about killer bars or toxic foods is way more dangerous, long-term, than the food itself.
In my latest episode we talk openly about my own struggles with my family's attitude to food, and Dr Colton explains in detail why it's way better to prevent our kids developing issues than it is to deal with the terrifying results of an eating disorder.
As she says: 'Eating disorders really do kill.' She wants to help us parents raise a generation that trusts their bodies and enjoys food without guilt, fear or shame.
In the full episode we talk about how to:
- Recognize early signs of disordered eating
- Speak neutrally about food and body image
- Protect your children from harmful diet culture messaging
- Understand the complex factors behind eating disorders
- Create a supportive home environment that promotes healthy eating habits
- The shocking study that proved anorexia is cause by weight loss.
Whether you're parenting or supporting teens, tweens, or younger children this episode offers practical strategies to help kids develop a positive relationship with food and their bodies.