Dietitian dishes on foods diet culture said were tasty

An Australian nutritionist has dished on the foods she convinced herself tasted good because of diet culture.

In a video shared on her Instagram account, Marika Day critiqued a number of highly popular foods, all of which she now plans to now avoid.

Number one on her list is the non-dairy ice cream, Halo Top.

"Never again will I have Halo Top," Day says in the video. "Real ice cream all the way."

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Day doesn’t hold back with her second least favourite, the Quest protein bar.

"Nothing has tasted as disgusting as a Quest Bar. I can’t stand them," she says.

“There are so many better ways to get in your protein than eating these.”

Perhaps surprising, Day says she is not a fan of tuna in spring water.

“I refuse to eat tuna in spring water now. It is only tuna in oil or flavoured tuna because it’s so much yummier,” she says.

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Then it was powdered peanut butter's turn.

“I used to think this was as good as real peanut butter and it’s definitely not. It is not even close. It doesn’t even compare,” she says.

In a follow up video, Day gives her verdict on cauliflower rice.

“I love my carbs so I’ve never had cauliflower rice and I am stoked with that decision and will continue with that,” she says.

Next up, sugar free and fat-free yoghurt.

“Which in my opinion is basically air and provides no satisfaction whatsoever,” she says.

Day then offers her views on Konjac noodles, which she says, as a carb lover she has “avoided at all costs and will continue to do so”.

“But they look like jelly. Not a fan,” she adds.

Day then shares her thoughts on chia pudding — in stark contrast to some of her followers.

“I actually really like chia pudding but apparently chia pudding to many of you is like eating tadpoles. So, there we have it,” she says. 

Day was quick to point to her 78,000 followers that it's "totally fine to have these foods if you enjoy them".

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The videos have been watched more than 70,000 times with many of Day's followers sharing the foods they have also ditched for the "real deal".

"Butter. Proper butter on toast is delicious. And no amount of flora proactive will ever be the same," one person wrote.

"Cauliflower anything. Cauliflower is not pizza. Sorry not sorry," another person wrote.

"So relate to the tuna in springwater. Tuna in oil Is the way to go for me," another wrote.

The Butterfly Foundation, the national charity for Australians impacted by eating disorders and body image issues, defines diet culture as a set of beliefs that promote weight loss and equate it with a person’s health, success and self-worth.

More than 1 million Australians currently experience an eating disorder, with less than a quarter getting treatment or support.

If you or anyone you know is concerned about eating disorder or body image issues, you can contact the Butterfly Foundation's national eating disorders helpline, ED Hope, on 1800 33 4673.