Food is often thought of as something personal. We learn over time which foods we prefer, what we can afford to buy, what we grew up eating, who we eat with, etc. It becomes an important part of our identity.
We were taught that with food comes choice, but for some people, choice is limited by policy.
Food has always been political. It impacts:
When we hear the term “food politics”, we might think of topics like food safety, agricultural or environmental policies, food insecurity, food deserts, food marketing — you get the idea.
But in a current political climate that uses fear, control, and misinformation regarding health and nutrition, constantly villainizes bodies of different sizes, abilities, and color, and is actively working to dismantle government-funded programs that increase access to nutrition, it’s imperative that we view food politics with a different lens.
Food politics is also about safety, cultural identity, and who gets to eat without fear. It’s important to recognize that the inequities within our food system have always been rooted in capitalism and colonialism.
They thrive in a nation built on stolen Indigenous land, yet the people and institutions that have profited most from that foundation continue to frame food and health as a matter of personal responsibility rather than a flawed system that disproportionately harms non-white communities.
With increased violent ICE raids and arrests making headlines, many people of color and immigrant communities in the U.S. are living in a heightened state of fear. This fear has real consequences in terms of food access. For example, families may:
In the context of eating disorders, the physical effects of feeling chronically unsafe can manifest in various ways. The body shifts into survival mode and can create changes in appetite, an intensified urge to restrict/binge/purge, cause GI symptoms such as diarrhea or constipation, and disrupt sleep patterns or hunger cues.
The body becomes unable to prioritize nourishment when it believes it needs to prioritize survival and safety – with these symptoms in mind, how could anyone’s nervous system be expected to operate as if everything is okay??
In addition to environmental stressors, the current harmful rhetoric around weight and body size can also deeply impact eating disorder treatment and recovery.
Messages from the “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) movement, specifically the recent Superbowl ad featuring former professional boxer Mike Tyson, contain fatphobic narratives that aim to intensify shame, body dissatisfaction, and guilt for folks in larger bodies.
These narratives further tie into existing diet culture and can lead to exacerbation of eating disorder behaviors or can even prevent individuals from receiving care.
Whether you’re a client or a clinician, it’s important to keep paying attention to how policy impacts food access in your community. Continue to stay informed with accurate information, practice cultural humility around food, and advocate for spaces where people can eat without fear or judgment if you’re able.
If you feel directly impacted by what has been going on within our current political climate, your stress responses are valid and more than understandable. And despite what narratives are being pushed, you deserve access to nourishment, and you deserve to feel safe in your body and identity.
Hi! My name is Lauren Haines, and I’m a graduate student in the MSCN/DI program at West Chester University, as well as a current dietetic intern for A Soft Place to Land. My passion for nutrition stems from my former student athlete days, where I learned how important nourishment is for the body and mind to feel it’s best. While nutrition is a science, I believe it’s just as important to recognize its role in social settings, family history, cultural background, and more. Additionally, I believe that food never needs to be earned, and that there is a place for all food on your plate!
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