"Ugh, those cookies look delicious...but I really shouldn't" 👎

So much of what girls learn about their own body image is through observing women and the relationships they have with their bodies.

Did you know that girls with women in their lives who diet and talk about food, calories, and body size are far more likely to develop issues around their own bodies at a very early age?!

The holidays, in particular, can be a time of year when girls are taking in negative messages about body image. Our girls are listening when we comment on how everything looks so delicious, but we “shouldn’t,” “couldn’t,” or “mustn’t” have dessert.

Be mindful of how you talk about your own body weight, shape, size. Take note of what you are saying about your weight and calorie intake. When we say, "Oh, those cookies look so delicious, but I just shouldn't" or "I am cheating today and going to have to do some extra time at the gym tomorrow" we are negatively shaping girls' attitudes about their own bodies and choices.

Our comments -- no matter how small -- send a powerful message to girls about what their bodies should and should not look like and their own relationship with food.

For more tips on how to talk with girls, read chapter 3, Being a Girl Today is Hard: Gender Roles, Body Image, and Confidence, of Girls Without Limits: Helping Girls Succeed in Relationships, Academics, Careers, and Life by Dr. Lisa Hinkelman. Sign-up here to have our next blog sent straight to your inbox!