“Are you a supermodel? White?   Well, then at least, naturally blond?⁣
If not, come back when you’re - otherwise your opinions/knowledge/research/passions don’t matter…”⁣ ⁣

These were the typical comments I often got in Japan when I called the authorities and influencers about stopping diet culture and creating a safe space for emotional eaters when I became a registered holistic nutritionist back in 2007.

For a long time, being able to openly talk about diets and body images,  I needed to be a supermodel (not even close, I’m 5’2” and shrinking!), Caucasian (the only part it’s white is probably teeth, but not even), or blond (well, I could dye and color my hair, but that would look weird on me).⁣
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Those “requirements” in Japan felt so hard to break ...and still is.⁣
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⁣I’m really passionate about ending diet culture and unhealthy messages toward health from the media, even if they are from my favorite celebrities (then she/he won’t be my favorite anymore), but I struggled to do so for my own...