In this special milestone episode, Dr. Cristina Castagnini celebrates the 250th episode of Behind the Bite! Unlike most episodes, today it’s just Dr. Cristina—no guest—reflecting on the journey of this podcast and diving into one of the most insidious forces impacting our body image and relationship with food: media-driven diet culture.

Dr. Cristina unpacks decades of harmful ads, reality TV shows, fashion campaigns, and celebrity influences that have shaped our collective beliefs about health, beauty, and worth. From the infamous “Are You Beach Body Ready?” campaign to The Biggest Loser, Friends, and TikTok diet trends, she reveals how fatphobia has been sold to us through shame, humor, and exclusion.

This raw and passionate solo episode is both a celebration of how far the podcast has come and a call to keep questioning the messages we’re fed. Whether you’ve been here since episode one or are joining for the first time, this episode will empower you to see through the myths, challenge stigma, and reclaim your worth beyond the scale.

Key Topics Discussed:

  • Why Dr. Cristina started the podcast and why it remains a passion project—not about profit, but about impact.
  • The toxic myths diet culture has reinforced for decades, including:
    • Thin = healthy, successful, attractive, and worthy.
    • Larger bodies = lazy, lacking willpower, or morally weak.
  • How ads and commercials (like Protein World’s “Beach Body Ready” and Special K’s “Drop a Jean Size”) sold shame instead of products.
  • The damaging messages in reality TV (The Biggest Loser, America’s Next Top Model) that equated worth with weight loss.
  • How fashion and retail (Victoria’s Secret, Brandy Melville, Abercrombie & Fitch) tied belonging and value to size.
  • Harmful stereotypes reinforced by sitcoms and movies (Friends, Bridget Jones’ Diary, Devil Wears Prada, Mean Girls, Clueless).
  • The powerful role of social media and tech (Instagram, TikTok, Wii Fit) in fueling comparison culture and eating disorders.
  • Why shame sells, and how diet, beauty, and fashion industries profit from our insecurities.

IMPORTANT TIMECODES FROM THIS EPISODE:

  • 00:00 Introduction to Behind the Bite
  • 00:55 Celebrating 250 Episodes
  • 01:45 The Passion Behind the Podcast
  • 03:59 The Toxic Influence of Media on Body Image
  • 06:43 Ads and Their Impact on Diet Culture
  • 15:03 Reality TV and Fatphobia
  • 25:35 Fashion Industry's Role in Body Image Issues
  • 27:57 Movies and TV Shows Perpetuating Fatphobia
  • 33:00 The Role of Technology and Social Media
  • 35:03 Conclusion and Call to Action

THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!

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Until next time, remember, we're here to break down barriers, challenge stigma, and support each other on the path to a better life.

Part of the Los Angeles Tribune Podcast Network, produced by the Tweaky Tales.

**Disclaimer:**

The content of this podcast episode is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The views and experiences shared by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or affiliated organizations. If you have any medical or mental health concerns, please consult a qualified healthcare provider. Listener discretion is advised, especially for those sensitive to topics related to body image, weight stigma, and eating disorders.