• Questioning the student’s food choices.

“You’re having fast food? You know that isn’t good for you.”

• Not commenting at all. 
• Making conversation unrelated to the food.

‍“How is the weather outside?”

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“How’s your day going so far?”

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“Do you have any plans this weekend?”

• Questioning students for having certain foods places judgment on those foods. These comments can lead to feelings of guilt or shame and reinforce diet culture messaging. It may also cause others around them to feel shame if they have eaten those same foods.

• Praising the student’s food choices. 

“You’re having a salad? That’s a good, healthy choice!”

• Not commenting at all. 
• Making conversation unrelated to the food.

‍“How is the weather outside?”

‍

“How’s your day going so far?”

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“Do you have any plans this weekend?”

• Praising students for having certain foods places judgment on those foods. It may also cause others to feel shame if they don’t have the same foods. These comments, even if well attended, can reinforce diet culture messaging.
• Youth primarily choose food based on taste, preference, and convenience. Health is most likely not one of the reasons, but in certain instances it might be. As much as we want to reinforce positive health behaviours, the best way to respect one’s food choices is by saying nothing at all. 

• Making a comment.

“As if you are only eating chips for lunch again!?”

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“I noticed you’re only eating cucumbers for lunch again. Are you on a diet?”

• Not commenting at all.
• If you have concerns about students not having enough to eat or showing signs of disordered eating, reach out to their families and speak with your administrators.

• Students may bring a limited variety of food in their lunch for a number of reasons (e.g., preferences, concerns with being bullied and negative comments, convenience, food insecurity, disordered eating). Drawing attention to a specific student can be harmful and bring up negative emotions for them.

• Ignoring the comment.

• Reminding students that all foods can be part of a healthy eating pattern. We eat foods not only for their nutrients but for enjoyment.  

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• Teachers can help students understand that there are healthier, more positive ways to think about food and bodies than what diet culture promotes. 
• It sends the message that we should feel guilty for eating certain foods, like chocolate.  It can make us believe we need to “earn” these foods before we’re allowed to enjoy them.
• Comments about a student’s body or food choices can be harmful, often leading to guilt or shame. Even small remarks matter, how we speak and respond sends powerful messages.

• Ignoring the comment.

• Approaching the other teacher privately to discuss why it’s not appropriate to comment on or judge students’ food choices. 
• Inviting them to reflect on their own beliefs about food and bodies, and how these may be shaped by diet culture. Remember, as educators, we have a powerful influence on students’ behaviours and beliefs.

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• Making comments about what students are eating can be harmful. It can normalize restrictive eating behaviours and interfere with developing a healthy relationship with food.
• These comments may reinforce the false belief that students need to restrict what they eat, when in reality they often need adequate energy and nourishment. Some students are especially vulnerable to food-related remarks, whether the comment is directed at them or simply overheard.