Truth or Trend: 30 Day Challenges
![Becca Kirian RD, LD, CNSC](https://614now.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/IMG_0299-80x80.jpg)
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![Becca Kirian RD, LD, CNSC](https://614now.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/IMG_0299-600x600.jpg)
Becca is an Ohio native and University of Cincinnati graduate…
@DietBetch, a popular Instagram account with over 213k followers, tends to post memes that subtly poking fun at our diet culture. But recently, I was disappointed to see a post about a “30 Day Challenge” that reinforces the unhealthy, fad diet-obsessed world we live in.
![](https://614now.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Screen-Shot-2019-10-14-at-9.10.18-AM-3.png)
This “30 Day Challenge” prohibits participants from consuming foods that many people often associate with being “unhealthy” like soda, candy, and doughnuts.
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As a dietitian, I’m not going to disagree that the foods listed do tend to be higher in nutrients of concerns—like added sugars and salt, and overall calories—but, I absolutely believe they can be part of a balanced diet.
By completely removing foods from the diet with a 30 Day Challenge like this, one will simply think, “No…for this month.” This purge-style challenge won’t teach healthy sustainable eating habits like intuitive eating or portion control.
Take-away: Instead of tagging a friend for a restrictive diet challenge that doesn’t set either of you up for long-term success, try implementing a small sustainable change. Maybe instead of going out for fast food every day of the workweek with a friend, you both could try packing once a week and share recipes and meal ideas!
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