“Your relationship with food and your body is not something you need to earn or control—it’s about nourishment, connection, and self-compassion. By changing the language you use, you begin to reclaim that relationship and shift away from the damaging narratives of diet culture.” – Dr. Marcella Raimondo
In a world dominated by diet culture and unrealistic beauty standards, the struggle to embrace a healthy relationship with food and body image is more challenging than ever. Enter Dr. Marcella Raimondo, a dynamic clinical psychologist with over 20 years of experience and a deeply personal connection to the field. Having triumphed over her own eating disorder, Dr. Marcella brings a unique and compassionate perspective to her work, helping individuals break free from the toxic narratives society imposes.
In this exciting and eye-opening interview, Dr. Marcella reveals the power of language in shaping our body image and shares practical strategies for shifting our mindset. With her empowering advice, you’ll discover how to reconnect with your body, embrace self-compassion, and finally break free from the grips of diet culture. Get ready to transform the way you think about food, your body, and your self-worth!
Thank you so much for joining us! Our readers would love to get to know you a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your backstory?
Thank you for having me, Stacey! I am a clinical psychologist specializing in body image and eating disorders. My journey began with my own struggles in this area, which sparked my passion for helping others. During my time in recovery, I realized just how deeply rooted diet culture and body image issues are in society, and how much language and societal pressures affect our mental and physical health. This ignited a desire in me to help people heal their relationship with food and their bodies. Now, after years of practice, I work with individuals from all walks of life who are struggling with these challenges. It’s a rewarding field, but it requires a lot of patience and compassion.
What inspired you to focus on eating disorders and body image in your practice?
My inspiration came from both personal and professional experiences. Early on, I noticed how common disordered eating patterns were among the people around me, especially women. This personal connection to body image issues made me want to better understand the mental and emotional factors that contribute to them. Professionally, I saw how these struggles often go unaddressed or misunderstood, leading people to feel isolated. I realized there was a need for deeper, more compassionate care in this area, which pushed me to focus my practice on eating disorders and body image.
In our society, there are so many misconceptions about diet and body image. How do you approach these in your work?
The first step is always awareness. Many people aren’t even conscious of how ingrained diet culture is in their daily lives. I encourage my clients to start by noticing the language they use—how they talk about their bodies, how they describe food, and even how they internalize societal standards. We often don’t realize how much harm we do to ourselves with negative self-talk. So, my approach is to first create that awareness and then work on reframing those harmful narratives.
You mentioned the importance of language. Can you expand on how everyday language around food can be harmful?
Absolutely. Language is incredibly powerful. We’ve normalized phrases like “I’ll be good tomorrow” or “I’ve earned this treat,” which imply that food is something we must either deserve or feel guilty about. This kind of thinking leads to a toxic relationship with food, where we constantly cycle between restriction and indulgence. The goal is to shift from seeing food as something to control to seeing it as something that nourishes and supports us.
Can you share an example of how people can start changing the language they use around food and body image?
A simple yet transformative change is swapping out negative self-talk for more neutral language. For example, instead of saying, “I hate my body,” try saying, “I’m working on accepting my body.” It’s not about forcing yourself to love everything right away, but about reducing the harshness of your inner dialogue. Even small shifts in the way we speak to ourselves can have a profound impact on our self-esteem and emotional well-being.
How does diet culture influence our relationship with food?
Diet culture teaches us to view food and our bodies through a lens of morality—where certain foods are “good” and others are “bad,” and where we constantly have to earn our right to eat. This mindset fosters guilt, shame, and a disordered approach to eating. Instead of listening to our bodies’ needs, we follow external rules that dictate what, when, and how much we should eat. Breaking free from this requires re-learning how to trust our bodies and rejecting the harmful messages that diet culture perpetuates.
What is intuitive eating, and how can it help individuals struggling with emotional eating?
Intuitive eating is about reconnecting with your body’s natural signals—eating when you’re hungry and stopping when you’re full. It’s about tuning in to what your body needs, rather than following diet plans or external rules. For those struggling with emotional eating, intuitive eating can be particularly helpful because it encourages mindfulness. When we eat intuitively, we pay more attention to how food makes us feel, which can help break the cycle of using food to cope with emotions.
You talk about the role of trauma in eating disorders. How do past experiences shape a person’s relationship with food?
Trauma often leads to disconnection from the body. Many people who have experienced trauma use food as a way to cope with difficult emotions or memories. Food can provide comfort or a sense of control in situations where a person feels powerless. In therapy, we work to address the underlying trauma and help individuals rebuild a healthier, more compassionate relationship with food. Healing the emotional root is key to overcoming disordered eating patterns.
In your work, you mention “emotional eating.” Can you explain what this is and how people can manage it?
Emotional eating happens when we use food to manage our feelings instead of addressing the emotions directly. It’s often a response to stress, anxiety, boredom, or sadness. To manage it, the first step is awareness—understanding when and why you’re turning to food for comfort. From there, we can explore healthier coping strategies that address the underlying emotions, such as journaling, talking to a friend, or practicing mindfulness.
What advice would you give someone who is struggling with their body image and feels overwhelmed by societal pressures?
My advice is to start small. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the pressure to meet certain beauty standards, but the first step is practicing self-compassion. Recognize that body acceptance is a journey, and it’s okay if you’re not there yet. Surround yourself with positive influences—whether that’s through friends, social media accounts that promote body positivity, or supportive communities—and focus on how your body feels, rather than how it looks.
How can we as a society begin to shift away from harmful diet culture?
As a society, we need to start having more conversations that challenge diet culture. This means being aware of the language we use, the media we consume, and the messages we send to ourselves and others about food and bodies. It’s also important to advocate for policies and practices that promote health and well-being in ways that aren’t tied to weight or appearance. The more we can normalize body diversity and reject the idea that thinness equals worth, the closer we’ll get to dismantling diet culture.
Do you think social media plays a significant role in the perpetuation of diet culture?
Yes, social media plays a huge role. It’s a double-edged sword because, on one hand, you have influencers and celebrities promoting unrealistic body standards and fad diets. But on the other hand, social media has also become a platform for body-positive movements and communities that challenge these harmful narratives. It’s important to be mindful of what you’re consuming online and curate a feed that supports your mental health and body acceptance.
Many people struggle with the idea of balance when it comes to food. How do you advise clients on finding a healthy balance without feeling deprived?
I always remind my clients that balance doesn’t mean perfection. It’s about allowing yourself to enjoy all foods without guilt. Deprivation leads to overindulgence, so the goal is to find a middle ground where you can have both the foods that nourish you and the ones you enjoy. This approach helps prevent the all-or-nothing thinking that’s so common in diet culture.
You run a body image group. What are some common concerns people have, and how do you address them?
The most common concern I hear is that people feel hopeless about ever loving their bodies. They feel trapped in a cycle of self-criticism and believe they’ll never break free from it. In our group, we work on shifting that mindset by challenging the language they use about themselves. It’s about taking small steps, like replacing negative self-talk with more neutral statements, and building from there. It’s a slow process, but over time, it creates lasting change.
What role do cultural and societal norms play in how we view our bodies?
Cultural and societal norms heavily influence our body image. In many cultures, thinness is equated with health, beauty, and even morality. This creates immense pressure to conform to a narrow standard of beauty that’s often unattainable for most people. Recognizing that beauty comes in all shapes and sizes, and that health is not determined by weight, is an essential step in breaking free from these damaging beliefs.
How does someone start on the journey to loving their body?
Start with acceptance. You don’t have to go from hating your body to loving it overnight. Begin by acknowledging your body for what it does for you—how it allows you to move, think, and experience life. From there, work on building a more compassionate relationship with yourself. Self-love isn’t always the goal at first, but neutrality and respect for your body are good starting points.
What is your take on extreme diets and exercise regimens that promise rapid weight loss?
Extreme diets and exercise regimens are often unsustainable and can lead to serious physical and emotional consequences. Rapid weight loss is rarely maintained, and the cycle of losing and gaining weight can be more harmful than staying at a stable, healthy weight for your body. I advocate for gentle, sustainable changes that support overall well-being, rather than focusing solely on the number on the scale.
How can people begin to create a more peaceful and positive relationship with food?
Begin by listening to your body. Honor your hunger and fullness cues, and give yourself permission to enjoy food without guilt. It’s also important to explore the emotional components of eating—are you eating because you’re hungry, or are you using food to cope with stress or sadness? By becoming more mindful, you can start to break free from negative patterns and create a more balanced, intuitive relationship with food.
If someone suspects they have an eating disorder, what steps should they take?
The first step is always to seek professional help. Eating disorders are complex mental health issues, and they require specialized treatment. A therapist who specializes in eating disorders, along with a registered dietitian, can provide the support and guidance needed for recovery. Don’t wait—early intervention is key.
What are some early signs of an unhealthy relationship with food or body image that people should look out for?
Some early signs include obsessing over food, body shape, or weight; feeling guilt or shame after eating; engaging in restrictive eating or bingeing; and constant negative self-talk about one’s appearance. If you notice these patterns in yourself or a loved one, it’s important to address them early before they develop into more severe eating behaviors.
What impact do you think family dynamics have on someone’s body image and relationship with food?
Family dynamics can play a significant role, especially in childhood. Growing up in an environment where there’s constant talk about dieting, weight, or appearance can shape a child’s relationship with food and body image. It’s important for families to be mindful of the language they use around food and bodies and to promote healthy, non-judgmental attitudes.
As we wrap up this insightful conversation, it’s clear that breaking free from the damaging effects of diet culture requires a lot of self-compassion and patience. Dr. Marcella, your insights have been incredibly valuable. What do you think is the most important takeaway for our readers?
Thank you, Stacey. I believe the most important takeaway is to start with kindness toward yourself. Begin by being mindful of the language you use about food and your body. It’s not about quick fixes but about building a sustainable, healthy relationship with yourself. Shifting away from diet culture takes time, but it’s a journey worth embarking on. The goal is to embrace nourishment, balance, and self-acceptance and to realize that our worth is not determined by how we look or what we eat.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
You can find me on my website, www.marcellaedtraining.com. I also offer consultations and have a newsletter where I discuss various topics related to body image and eating disorders. I’d love to connect with anyone interested in learning more!
Dr. Marcella, thank you so much for coming on today. Your perspective on diet culture and body image is truly powerful, and I know our readers will benefit greatly from your insights.
Thank you for having me, Stacey. It’s always a pleasure to share this important conversation, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to reach more people who may be struggling with these issues.
