#16 - The Religion of Diet Culture

Summary: What does religion have to do with diets? Probably more than you think. In this episode I talk with professor of religious studies and author of the book, The Gluten Lie, Dr. Alan Levinovitz. We’ll discuss why “cleansing” and forms of restriction we see with today’s diet culture is not about health at all. Alan shares his personal story of his “holier than thou” feeling he got from a very short term “challenge” he did with his wife in the name of book research. You’ll hear why we both think the “sugar is going to kill you” headlines are utterly untrue and unhelpful. Alan shares a few food trends he think will grow in 2017 and I share how we can make improvements to our eating patterns without going too crazy. Get to know Alan Levinovitz, PhD Alan received his PhD in religion from the University of Chicago where he specialized in classical Chinese thought. He is now assistant professor of religious studies at James Madison University, where he teaches classes on religion, Chinese philosophy, and the connection between religion and medicine. His work in journalism focuses on food, science, and culture, and has appeared in The Atlantic, Wired, The Washington Post, Slate, Vox, and elsewhere. He is the author of The Gluten Lie: And Other Myths About What You Eat, and his only food taboo is fake cheese, which he believes is irredeemably evil. Twitter: twitter.com/alanlevinovitz Book: The Gluten Lie - http://amzn.to/2k1WpUi Articles: - The Atlantic – Purity Through Food: How Religious Ideas Sell Diets - http://theatln.tc/2k1WKpK - NPR – How Diet Gurus Hook Us with Religion Veiled in Science - http://n.pr/2k1WSpe - Slate – The Logical Failure of Food Fads - http://slate.me/2k1VBi6 You can subscribe to Body Kindness on iTunes, Soundcloud and Stitcher. Enjoy the show? Please rate it on iTunes! - http://getpodcast.reviews/id/1073275062 Are you ready for Body Kindness? Get started today with my free e-course and on-demand digital training. Learn more. http://bit.ly/2k23nbT The New York Times Book Review calls Body Kindness “simple and true”. Publisher’s Weekly says it’s “a rousing guide to better health.” http://bit.ly/2k228t9 Available wherever books and e-books are sold, discover what people are saying about Body Kindness and if it’s right for you, I hope you’ll buy it http://amzn.to/2k1TISx Watch my videos about why we need Body Kindness on YouTube. https://youtu.be/W7rATQpv5y8?list=PLQPvfnaYpPCUT9MOwHByVwN1f-bL2rn1V Did you enjoy the podcast? Please subscribe and rate it. Have a show idea or guest recommendation (even yourself!) E-mail podcast@bodykindnessbook.com to get in touch. Nothing in this podcast is meant to provide medical diagnosis, treatment, cure, or prevent any disease or condition. Individuals should consult a qualified healthcare provider for medical advice and answers to personal health questions.