We are approaching Lent, a forty-day period of preparation for celebrating Jesus’ resurrection at Easter. It’s a time rich with spiritual significance. It also happens to be a time when the ideas of self-deprivation and fasting can get emphasized in faith-based circles. The tricky part is that both diet culture messages and faith-based messages at times explicitly and implicitly emphasize food restriction and/or self-deprivation.

This Lent I have the privilege of being a part of a teaching series called “Losing the Lies for Lent.” The lie I am tackling is the message that “self-deprivation makes us holier or brings us closer to God.”

In today’s episode, I am so grateful to be joined by Registered Dietitian, Brittany Braswell, to do a deeper dive with me on this particular lie. Brittany is a non-diet dietitian who approaches nutrition and wellness from a holistic standpoint, including physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional wellbeing. She specifically works with women who struggle with disordered eating and negative self-image. Overall, Brittany is passionate about helping her clients establish a healthy relationship with food and body to improve their quality of life and walk free and fearlessly in their purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to our conversation. I hope it brings you closer to that kind of freedom.