On May 6th, the world celebrates World No Diet Day, a chance to toss out the scale and build a healthier relationship with the person you see in the mirror. For many people—especially women—unrealistic beauty standards and pressure to look a certain way have led to eating disorders, low self-esteem, bullying, and unhealthy restrictive diets.
In this article, we’ll explore why the world celebrates World No Diet Day, its origins, and what it stands for.
🕰 History of World No Diet Day
The roots of dieting go back as early as the 18th century, when an overweight English doctor named George Cheyne reportedly lost a significant amount of weight by eating only vegetables and drinking milk, completely avoiding meat. He recommended his diet to others struggling with obesity and published an essay titled “An Essay of Health and Long Life,” promoting clean air and avoiding “luxury foods.” This marked the birth of structured diets.
Over time, people began following specific eating habits either for health or to conform to societal body ideals:
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In 1863, English undertaker William Banting created one of the first fad diets, which included four meals a day of meat, vegetables, and fruit. His "Banting" diet remained popular for decades.
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In 1918, American writer and doctor Lulu Hunt Peters published the bestseller "Diet & Health: With a Key to the Calories," which popularized calorie counting—a method still widely used today.
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Since then, over 1,000 diets have been developed, mostly focusing on low-calorie, low-fat, or low-carb consumption.
📅 When Did World No Diet Day Begin?
As diet culture grew—fueled by mass media, advertising, and the internet—unattainable body standards became normalized. Photoshop and cosmetic surgery created ideals that were physically impossible to achieve naturally. Many people, feeling the pressure, turned to dieting in harmful ways.
In 1992, British feminist Mary Evans Young, who had long struggled with anorexia, bullying, and body image issues, decided she’d had enough. She originally planned to mark a personal “no diet day” in the UK but was inspired to take it global.
That year, just a few dozen women celebrated with “Ditch That Diet” signs and a picnic. By 1993, more countries joined in, and the date was moved to May 6 to avoid clashing with Cinco de Mayo celebrations.
🎯 Goals of World No Diet Day
The key purpose of International No Diet Day (INDD) is to promote body acceptance and celebrate all body shapes and sizes. Its symbol is a light blue ribbon (similar to the red ribbon for World AIDS Day).
Although some businesses use this day for marketing indulgent foods, the deeper purpose remains rooted in feminist activism and mental health awareness. It's a day to:
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Challenge diet culture and the obsession with thinness
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Raise awareness about the dangers of extreme diets
- Promote body positivity and self-love at every size
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Highlight the deception behind weight loss products and fads
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
🔗 Related Topics
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Watch: The Worst Diets Women Follow
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Read: 9 of the Best Diets for Healthy Weight Loss
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Learn: What Nutrition Experts Eat on a Healthy Diet
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