Bite back and taste freedom

Eat as you please - tomorrow is Diet Free Day. Photo / Bay of Plenty Times

Who hasn't had that niggling feeling that they should really be on a diet? You know - the feeling that can make us feel guilty about a carb-heavy sandwich or a even a muffin.

If that rings even the faintest of bells, mark down this Wednesday, May 6, as Diet Free Day.

Nope, that doesn't mean a day of free diet-group memberships.

Whether you're following the Atkins, the Liver Cleansing, the Blood Type or one of countless other diets - or just thinking about doing one - Diet Free Day is a chance to take a day off, or even to think about quitting the habit. Also known as International No Diet Day, the idea was spawned by Englishwoman Mary Evans Young in 1992 to bite back against social pressures to diet and be thin.

Now the global event is dedicated to raising awareness of the dangers and futility of diets.

After all, diets don't work (most dieters regain the weight and then some); they muck up our relationship with eating until full; they are a major risk factor for developing eating disorders and binge eating; they are psychologically and physically taxing; they make people more critical of themselves and others; and they often force us into making promises that we can't keep.

Dr Maree Burns, co-ordinator of Auckland-based agency Eden (Eating Difficulties Education Network, www.eden.org.nz) is right behind the day.

"In a world where dieting has become the norm, Diet Free Day encourages us to consider the benefits of eating intuitively and developing a more accepting relationship with our bodies".

No one is suggesting we eat chocolate cake all day - just that we choose foods intuitively and enjoy our food until we're full. On Wednesday, why not give yourself permission to savour every bite?

Here are 10 ways to mark Diet Free Day:

Enjoy foods you've been denying yourself. Treat yourself to that date scone or piece of chocolate cake you are craving.

Organise a pot-luck lunch or morning tea with workmates.

Organise a clothes swap and give away all those garments you've been waiting until you are thin enough to wear.

Do something you've been putting off until you were "thin enough" to do it.

Go out for dinner or organise a shared meal at your house.

Throw away or put away your dieting paraphernalia (scales, diet books).

Spring clean any stereotypical images of "ideal" slenderness. Remind yourself that a model is a photoshopped genetic freak.

Avoid labelling foods as good or bad.

Make a top-five list of things you love about your body.

Make your favourite dessert.