* Blog post updated January 2023
As a teenager growing up in the 90s, I was raised in an age when diets were cool, fat was bad and exercise had one speed – MORE.
I had very little help discerning right from wrong when it came to true nutrition. My sweet mother battled her own war with weight and her example was of little help to me. Television and magazines promoted thinness as King and eating less food was a badge of honor and a crown for those who mastered “self-control.”
There was little room for grace and the media certainly made no room for Jesus in the midst of this mess – a mess I now know as “DIET CULTURE.”
Diet Culture, in short, is a culmination of messages promoting body size and eating choices to be a measure of moral value or a means to attain happiness. Shaming rules around food or labeling groups of food as “good or bad” is another indicator, as well.
It comes as no surprise that I hauled my diet culture laws and legalities into parenthood. And honestly, I didn’t realize it.
As a young mom, I had a newfound passion for running and genuinely thought I was doing right by my children to model for them all that I had “learned” to stay active and self-disciplined when it came to living healthy… Unknowingly, writing an unintended scroll of food rules for their own diets.
After years of battling my relationship with food, the Lord began revealing His desires for my wellness. I now know food is not meant to be a heavy yoke of slavery. Instead, food is a blessing to be enjoyed! God loves for us to include Him in meal planning, stroll alongside us in the grocery aisle, and be invited to our dinner table.
Fast-forward to the present-day – raising teens in the midst of social media mayhem. Our teens are bombarded with mixed messages regarding food, fitness, and ever-changing trends. As a parent, you may feel like you have your work cut out for you, but with the help of the Holy Spirit – the Great Counselor – you are equipped for the job.
If you too are a recovering “food Pharisee” like me, trying to make right the years spent modeling diet rules to your children, or simply a parent needing support in this area, there is so much hope for our kids to overcome! Here are 4 quick tips to help raise teens who become diet culture rebels:
1. Live at peace with food.
Paul encourages the Romans, “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” Romans 12:18. The word “all” in this passage means just what you’d think… “EVERYTHING.” For me this includes food. Making peace in your own relationship with food is the most powerful gift you can give your teens. Share what you are learning and be open about your journey!
2. Don't label foods as "good" or "bad."
Genesis 1:31 is pretty clear on how God views food. “He saw all that he made and it was very good.” There is that word again…all.
From a ripe strawberry picked sweet from the vine to a delicious piece of birthday cake at a party, it is all good, meant to be enjoyed, and has a place in our lives. Eliminating entire food groups (bar a diagnosis from a registered dietitian or physician) is a quick route to create confusion in our teens. Encourage teens to reject the media’s food rules and point them to God’s good design for food.
3. Point out diet culture when you see it.
In short, if anything promotes a smaller body size to equal happiness or add moral value then – bingo – you’ve spotted diet culture. Food rules or smaller sizes add no value to us. We are the temple of God, how much more value could possibly be added!?
Calling out diet culture gives us opportunities to redirect their attention to Christ. What a parenting privilege to point our teens to the One who created them, called them good, and took the Cross for their freedom. Repeating these truths will silence the noise of mixed messages and lay a foundation for a future free of food rules and regulations.
4. Remind them they have a Helper - the Holy Spirit.
The ultimate goal of parenthood is to launch our teens into the world as wise young adults capable of navigating this culture on their own. But the good news is, they are NEVER alone! They have a Helper, the Holy Spirit, who will be ever-present in all situations.
Encourage your teens to consult with Him about everything – food included.
Galatians 5:16 says, “Let the Holy Spirit guide your lives…” This verse has been an anchor for me when overcoming my confusing past relationship with food. He guides us to know what is beneficial to our bodies, how to move with joy, and when our bodies need more rest. Teaching our teens to consult God about food and fitness is one of the greatest things we can do as we all fight the good fight against diet culture.
I am so thankful for a Living God who reveals all Truth to us and doesn’t leave out a single detail. If you are a parent of teens, He will give you what you need to raise them to rebel against the messaging of diet culture! He knew the day in which you would parent and because of Christ, you are fully equipped for this work!
Becky Crenshaw lives in Knoxville, TN where she raises three teen sons with her husband, Brent. She is a Revelation Wellness Coach, writer, speaker, and lover of Jesus. She has a passion to ignite the fire for Christ in the hearts of women and bring freedom and restore joy to their fitness journeys. Find her at beckycrenshaw.com to learn more.
Thank you for reading the Revelation Wellness Blog! This month, we’re learning how to Rewire our hearts, minds, and bodies according to God’s Word! We hope you are blessed with each blog post!
