The Dark Side of Body Positivity: Breaking Free from Sugar and Processed Foods
Sugar and processed foods have been some of the most difficult vices I’ve had to battle throughout my life. Unlike alcohol, this was something I struggled with from a very young age—since childhood. I still vividly remember my first sweet treat: a banana popsicle. It was a hot, sunny day, and I was sitting with my mom, waiting for the city bus. The waxy paper wrapper felt smooth against my lips, and the taste... fireworks of sweetness exploding in my mouth. That moment marked the beginning of a lifelong love affair with sugar, one that would shape my eating habits for decades.
As a child of the nineties, when sugary cereals and ultra-processed foods were the norm, I learned early on to use food as a way to reward myself, to cope with emotions, and to ease stress. This pattern of unhealthy eating was ingrained in me, and I never thought twice about it. Most days, my question wasn’t whether I was hungry or if I was nourishing my body—it was simply, What do I feel like eating today? And let’s be real: when you ask yourself that question, a salad is rarely the answer.
Throughout my life, my relationship with food was shaped by convenience and instant gratification. Ultra-processed foods, often cheaper and more accessible than healthier options, became the go-to choices. It wasn’t until later that I realized how these decisions were impacting my health. I’d been obese for as long as I could remember, fluctuating in weight through the years but never truly understanding the connection between what I ate and how I felt. I loved baking, but honestly, it wasn’t about the joy of creating something—it was about eating what I made.
By my early thirties, I was almost a decade into running my million-dollar bakery business and I had reached 270 pounds. My life was filled with cycles of emotional eating, failed attempts at dieting, and trying every quick-fix pill and supplement on the market. None of it worked. I was trapped in a constant battle with myself. The reality was hard to face: I had been living in denial about how unhealthy my habits had become.
When the body positivity movement began to rise, it felt comforting. It told me to love myself, regardless of my size. And for a while, it worked. I accepted my morbid obesity as a part of who I was. But in hindsight, I realize this movement allowed me to ignore the health risks I was facing, encouraging complacency rather than change. While body positivity makes sense for things like scars, aging, and features beyond our control, it’s not something that should mask the reality of serious health concerns like obesity.
Obesity is a disease—a serious one. It doesn’t matter if society tells us to embrace our bodies as they are; when we’re obese, we’re on a path to illness. The truth, though harsh, is necessary. My weight was more than just a number on a scale—it was a reflection of years of unhealthy choices. And at 270 pounds, it was a wake-up call. It wasn’t just about looks. It was about health, longevity, and quality of life.
The reality of living with obesity isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about your health and the life you want to live. Obesity increases the risk of diseases like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and cancer. It reduces your life expectancy, and more importantly, it robs you of the quality of life you deserve. I used to justify my habits with the thought, “You only live once,” but I’ve come to realize that the real question should be, “What is the quality of the life you only live once?”
Making lasting change is hard, but it’s not impossible. Yes, there are obstacles—whether it’s genetics, medical conditions, or emotional factors—but I’ve seen firsthand how people facing adversity can still prioritize their health and change their trajectory. You don’t have to let circumstances define you. The power to make choices that support your well-being is within your reach, even when the odds seem stacked against you.
What I’m trying to say is this: We have to stop making excuses for unhealthy eating. Sugar and processed foods are doing us more harm than we realize. These foods fuel chronic diseases, mess with our metabolism, and leave us trapped in a cycle of cravings and low energy. Breaking that cycle is tough, but it’s the only way to reclaim your health and your life.
If you’re serious about improving your health, you’ve got to take responsibility for your food choices. It’s not about being perfect; it’s about making better choices, one meal at a time. Start by recognizing the emotional or mental triggers that drive you to unhealthy eating. Are you using food to numb emotions or fill a void? Acknowledging this is the first step toward healing your relationship with food.
The journey doesn’t happen overnight. Transforming your habits, especially when it comes to food, is about living as the healthier person you want to become. Even if you don’t feel healthy yet, you can start making the daily choices that align with a healthier lifestyle. It might be uncomfortable at first, and you might face resistance, but every small step you take will move you closer to the vibrant, healthy life you deserve.
So, let’s stop glorifying unhealthy habits and start making choices that will allow us to live longer, healthier, and happier lives. Sugar and processed foods may provide momentary pleasure, but they’re not worth the long-term pain they bring. Take control today—your future self will thank you.
If you’re looking for more detailed help on making these changes, my new book Wake Up and Smell the Coffee offers practical advice, real-life examples, and strategies to help you break free from unhealthy habits and step into the life you truly want. Let’s get started together—your transformation begins now!
