After a listener kindly called me out for using the phrase “junk food,” I was reminded how powerful our words really are. In this episode, I share what that moment taught me about language, self-judgment, and how the way we talk about food and our bodies can either reinforce shame or deepen trust.

This week’s episode is an honest reflection on the language of diet culture — and how even the most well-intentioned words can carry hidden judgment. Michelle shares how a listener’s feedback prompted her to look more closely at her own phrasing, unpack the emotions underneath it, and re-examine what “neutral language” really means on the intuitive eating and body trust journey. You’ll walk away with new awareness, practical language swaps, and a reminder that this work is about progress, not perfection.

In this episode:

  • How one listener’s email sparked a powerful realization about language and shame
  • Why terms like “junk food,” “clean eating,” and “cheat day” reinforce moral judgment
  • What it really means when we say we’ve been “good,” “bad,” or are “getting back on track”
  • Practical, compassionate alternatives for describing food and body experiences
  • How words both reflect and shape our beliefs about health and worth
  • A simple three-question pause to bring curiosity and awareness to your language
  • Why awareness—not perfection—is the goal when unlearning diet-culture language

If you’re practicing intuitive eating or working to rebuild body trust, this episode will help you choose words that reflect compassion, connection, and care—one gentle sentence at a time.

 

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