Labels – they are such a big part of our society today. For the most part humans have been labelling themselves, categorizing themselves and putting up walls between themselves probably since the beginning of time.
But it is at this time, as we trek through the new millennium that many people continue to turn away and distance themselves from labels more and more.
Why so? For one main reason – labels are limiting and the humanity of today is too diverse and dynamic to be confined to man-made labels. The humanity of today is turning more and more away from confinement and towards the freedom of being.
Take any lifestyle labels that you can think of, religious ones, ethnic ones, job related ones, family related ones, disease labels and the list goes on. We give ourselves labels and then suffer the confinement that often comes with those labels.
Hence today, I want to talk to you about dietary lifestyle labels, how they influence us, how they are portrayed in society and how to break free of them.
The Labelling Addiction
One of my most favorite authors Eckhart Tolle, in his book “A New Earth”, spends a good chunk talking about the roles we play in society and self-definition through various labels.
We live today believing that we are our labels, and if those labels are gone then who are we?
If I am a mother and lose my kids, then I am nothing, i.e. have no purpose – is a common plight of many mothers.
If I am a CEO and my company goes bankrupt, then what is left of me?
If I am of this or that religion, and its merits are challenged to not make sense, then my identity is compromised.
And the list goes on…
Many of us are still, not only constantly seeking labels, but also identifying ourselves through them, only to find great life challenges when those labels get challenged.
Thus as I said above, the first problem with labels is that they are confining. As soon as I identify myself as this or that, I am “expected” to act within that label’s scope. And if that no longer serves me, what then?
Well some people, who are courageous enough, walk away and either adapt a new label or free themselves completely. Others, the majority out there, who are uncomfortable with change, try to fit into the realm of the label, sacrificing being true to themselves while they are at it. Not to mention that moving away from a label or changing it, is usually a tedious process when it comes to those closest to us as we try to explain that we are no longer this, but that.
The second problem with labels is that they are limiting and lead to inaccurate representations of us.
Think about it, if you tell someone you are “vegetarian” – they automatically have a pre-conceived notion about you. But what if your definition of vegetarian differs from society’s general definition, then they are getting a wrong representation of you. The same can be said for any label, political party, a chronic disease, etc.
This can only be avoided if you actually have a chance to fully explain “how” you fit into that label, which often does not happen in our society, because we are always short on time. People just want the quick answer and then they run only with that, through various judgements.
Finally, what draws us to and makes us have this insatiable need for labels? One word answer: security. Most of us are not independent thinkers. Most of us love to know we “fit in” or “belong” and this is where labels are an easy way to achieve that. I don’t think there is a better place to see this in than religion, where people do not even believe half the stuff the religion teaches, but yet cling on to the label as some sort of security blanket.
But anyway, without getting any more philosophical here, since Evolving Wellness revolves around health, I thought that it is very important for us to discuss how limiting dietary lifestyle labels can be and what we can do about that.
There are numerous dietary labels out there, we will begin by looking at 5 common ones.
Label 1: Vegetarian
This is probably the most misunderstood label used by people today.
When I first heard of the term vegetarian, I immediately thought of “health”, “fruits”, “vegetables”, etc. However, for the average person out there vegetarian simply means abstaining from meat. That’s it.
So can you imagine what variations of vegetarians there can be? Hundreds if not more. There would be nothing wrong with this, but people then go one more step with labels and that is associate the label with a generalization.
Like for example: All vegetarians are healthier than meat eaters. Or all vegetarians are thinner than meat eaters. And the list goes on.
While there can be general guidelines that ring true, there are just too many various exceptions and thus make most of these generalizations completely false.
So what does it really mean to be a vegetarian? Today – many things and not always quickly definable things as well. Hence if you choose to define yourself as this, do not feel pressured to be anything that you are not comfortable with.
Some vegetarians eat animal products, some don’t. Some make weekly or holiday exceptions, some don’t. Some are healthy and some aren’t. Hence we must understand that we simply cannot generalize people when it comes to this label or be limited by it, as it just means too many things, to too many people.
Label 2: Vegan
This is another label that is growing in popularity today and quickly limiting people to be one way or another.
As I have decided to remove eggs from my diet since the beginning of this year, I thought “okay so I guess I am a vegan”. Well as I have had a chance to use this label just a few times so far, already I have people assuming various things, which limit me greatly. For example: assuming that I never wear or will wear leather products, eat honey, kill a bug and the list goes on.
This is exactly what I mean by labels limiting us. The truth is I don’t want to label myself as this or anything else, but it seems that sometimes even when we don’t label ourselves, society nicely does it for us.
What we must understand again, is that when talking about the label of “vegan”, there are almost as many variations to this one as to “vegetarian” and one label just does not fit all.
The easiest thing I would advise is if you have to use a label such as this or vegetarian, is to say to people something like “I am a vegan/vegetarian based my own rules and/or definitions.”
Label 3: Raw Foodist
Okay, so if you want to lose people quickly in society when they ask you about your lifestyle eating habits, tell them you eat raw. You will get funny looks and all sorts of interesting comments.
But I have to tell you, I think this is actually wonderful, as this label has not yet had a generalization attached to it. Hence most people who classify themselves as raw foodists, actually have to explain what this consists of and thus reduce any misconceptions and false ideas. At the same time they can explain their own way of applying this and hence not be limited by it.
Label 4: Fruititarian
Although not as popular as the other 3, some people today do classify themselves as this. Again this label has going for it the fact that most people need further clarification as their first comment is “so you eat fruits all day?”
Well there is so much more to this story and again, this is a good thing as it minimizes false notions and allows the person to express themselves, rather than be judged through someone else’s opinions.
Label 5: “I eat healthy”
This I have to say is in my opinion, the worst way to label oneself today, unless you clearly define what healthy means to you, but even then it stands to have little merit. In our society today, I don’t think there is a label with a greater possibility of meanings and incorrect assumptions.
Healthy today means so many different things, to so many different people. Some people eat salads at McDonald’s and claim they eat healthy, while others fill themselves up on veggie burgers and claim they eat healthy.
My advice on this one is the following:
If you hear somebody tell you that they eat healthy, assume you know nothing about them because you have no idea what their definition of “healthy” is.
And if you want to use this label and be understood properly, then explain clearly what healthy means to you.
This label in my opinion is the number one reason for the misconception out there and people who are against changing their habits as they tell you stuff like, “oh but I know so and so, and they ate healthy all their life and got disease x, y, or z.” Unless you were with them 24 hours a day or knew in depth what their definition of healthy was, then that is a completely meaningless statement.
Steps to Avoiding Being Misrepresented or Limited by Labels
1. If you think a label will misrepresent you, then don’t use it.
I have applied this now to many things in my life, not just to diet choices and I love it. Sure it may leave the other person a little confused or frustrated that they just can’t neatly fit you into a pre-defined description, but that is just it! As human beings we are dynamic, ever-changing and growth seeking. So what good is a label, when it applies to me one day and not the next?
2. Try to express yourself through short descriptions, rather than through one word labels.
This is hard when you first meet someone, and especially if it is a limited one time meeting in which case you have 2 options. If you know you will never see the person again and their opinion does not matter to you, then go ahead and use a label if you want. However, if you want to foster some kind of a relationship with the other party, then don’t be afraid to give them a short description of yourself, rather then giving them a label to know you by and leaving the rest to their imagination.
3. Clearly communicate how you want to be represented.
There is nothing worse than miscommunication, leaving the other to fill in their own blanks. Granted while there are some people who will still misunderstand you, no matter what you say due to their heavily ingrained preconceived notions, it still leaves you with a more empowering feeling when you clearly communicate your ideas.
Steps to Avoid Misrepresenting or Limiting Others
1. Never assume, you know exactly what the person is all about based on a label.
We are all guilty of this all too often and it isn’t serving us or the other person one bit. We have grown up with this idea as “normal”, but it is one of the biggest flaws that we must abandon, if we are ever going to evolve to a higher version of humanity.
2. Try and I stress again, “try” not to judge the person based on the label.
You just do not know enough unless you follow through with a variety of questions, and even then you just don’t have the right to judge them.
3. Avoid generalizing.
So you knew an aunt who was a vegan and she was really unhealthy. Well this is not grounds for applying that all vegans are unhealthy.
Conclusion
Finally, I cannot tell you enough about the amazing benefits of dropping labels or associating less with them. It is just one of those things you have to try for yourself in order to feel the amazing freedom that comes with it.
I am not naive to the fact that our society has, is and probably will still for some time be heavily dependant on labels. However, every one step in the direction of freedom makes a huge difference to you and to them.
Most of us are just too dynamic to be defined and limited by labels. If this describes you, then courageously continue on, being your own person. If this does not describe you, then may you simply be able to respect the other being for however they choose to express themselves.
Feel free to share below any experiences you have had with limiting labels.
About the author:Evita Ochel, B.Sc., B.Ed., CHN - is a certified holistic nutritionist, biologist, educator, writer, researcher and speaker in the areas of health, science and holistic wellness. She is a nutritional science expert and her teaching and writing focus on natural, wholesome, plant-based and organic nutrition to achieve optimal health and longevity. Learn more about Evita Ochel or Follow Evita Ochel on Twitter.
21 Comments to “Breaking Free From Limiting Dietary Lifestyle Labels”
Fantastic post Evita. Labels are very limiting when it comes to both diet and exercise habits. For example, I’ve lost count of the times when people have asked me what I am doing that night and I have said I’m going to the gym. They almost always reply with “How come you aren’t bigger?” Simply saying you are going to the gym and being a man gets you labelled with the connotation of big muscular bodybuilders.
What a fabulous post! And, “AMEN!” to bowing out of the label game.
The average Joe may not have a clue what a “Raw Foodist” is, but boy oh boy do the multitude of folks who fall under that label. Amazing, the labels within the label! Early on in this journey into Raw Food Land, I even wrote about it at In The Raw. Crazy making, if you ask me.
I’m all for dropping the labels – all of them. I don’t even see raw fruits, veggies, nuts, and seeds as anything other than what they are – life-giving and life-sustaining foods, not carbs, proteins, or fats. I think we’d be a lot better off dropping the whole carb/fat/protein obsession. Eat fresh, raw, organic foods and you will find your body responding in amazing ways. At least that has been true for me.
Evita, everything you wrote was very helpful to me!
A couple quick things… Tom already touched on one of my observations: that everything you say here applies to any kind of societal label. And earthmother nicely embellished your sentiments with her descriptions. And I just love your practical and wise advice to “…assume you know nothing…” (and, vice versa, “…assume they know nothing…”)…
But what REALLY jumps out at me is the main point of your post: “If you think a label will misrepresent you, then don’t use it.”
I’ve struggled with trying to explain my varying diet as I learn to eat without meat, cheese, gluten, and other things… …as I learn to listen to my body, again. So my question to you (and to earthmother and even to Tom) is what is your most simple response when the topic arises? My sister has explained my health will go to pot and my friends have asked as many variations of questions as I have friends! ;) So what’s your quick 1-minute “elevator speech” on this?
Evita, you’ve been such a tremendous influence, coaching and encouraging and helping me over my humps. And I value ALL the work you do on Evolving Wellness! I don’t say it nearly enough: Thank you!
@TOM - Thank you for your comment as you bring in a very valuable point for people who go to the gym. There is a huge generalization (no pun intended ;) that people who go to the gym should be “huge” – and especially if they are males.
This is one way the society stereotypes and applies the label of “gym goer = heavily muscular body”
But what happened to just staying fit, doing cardio, maintaining one’s shape….?
My reason for THIS misrepresentation is that many people have NO IDEA how muscle is built. What they see in those huge, unnatural men is not at all indicative of reality. Many of them are on drugs and unnatural routines.
So just keep doing what you are doing – you are getting amazing health benefits and it doesn’t matter what others think. They are probably just intimidated that YOU actually go to the gym and they don’t ;)
@EARTHMOTHER – Wow Earthmother that is awesome dropping all labels. That is an ultimate way to live – tough many times, I will admit because of our past conditioning, but nonetheless doable.
My journey of dropping labels definitely started with religion. I thought that was the biggest “label issue”. Well then I became “vegetarian” and I had people assuming all sorts of things about me that just were NOT me. So I learned very quickly that either I explain fully – or as fully as possible, or just not care what others think.
Thank you for that inspiring addition. For me today, I just try to be more and more conscious of the labels I get “stuck on” and each day at least free myself and others, one label at a time. (The big labels are already gone ;)
@JULIE - Hi Julie – you bring up a great point and one I often find myself in. To this day I can tell you this, 99% people who know me really have no idea of what it is that I really do eat and don’t eat. And in many ways I just got used to it. I figure someone who is REALLY interested will ask or give me the opportunity to fully explain. The truth is most people don’t – they just as I stated above want a nice, neat little box to fit someone into and when that does not work – they sort of shut down as it is “too much” work to process what this person is all about.
Telling someone I am a vegetarian or vegan truly tells them next to nothing about me. I am so far removed from the average veg’n.
It sounds like in your scenario, a quick, possible answer would be the following:
“I eat a plant-based, gluten-free diet that is consistently and constantly evolving.”
(If you are not eating or trying not to eat processed food, then add in the words “wholesome” and “real food”.)
Now I have a little conversation scenario for you:
The person says to you: So does that mean you are a vegetarian/vegan?
Julie says: No – that lifestyle is just too limiting for me ;)
Julie – as always you are so very welcome and it is truly my pleasure too. I enjoy our interactions so very much and am always so happy to help in any way I can :)
Ah, so I would describe myself as someone who eats a mostly plant-based, natural, whole-foods diet, with an emphasis on raw food.
Great post! This is indeed a minefield!
What an excellent post–well written, and I couldn’t agree more. As some others have already said, this posting could easily be applied to any sort of label society throws on anyone. Mainly, though, what struck me was your “Steps to Avoid Misrepresenting or Limiting Others.” I will be passing your blog on!
-Scott
@HANLIE – Yeah that is a good way to go I find. I know some people may say, that that is still labelling oneself, but I think it is “describing” oneself and there is a difference.
We do want to still be able to exist as competent social beings and thus, describing oneself is a step better than just throwing on “a one-size fits all” label.
@SCOTT – Thank you so much and thanks for visiting!
Indeed labelling runs strong in our society on so many levels, here I just thought I would scratch the surface of the dietary labels, but of course so much more can be said about this and so many other “labelling” topics.
So very helpful! Wow!
What an AMAZING post, Evita. Bad labels can break a person for the rest of his or her life. Self-esteem has such a tender existence and there in lies the courage to move forward.
You are a blessing to us all. :D
Hugs, JJ
@MARK – I am glad you found it helpful. Thanks for stopping by Evolving Wellness too :)
@JJLOCH – Thank you JJ for your beautiful words! Labels indeed have “hurt” a few people throughout the years seriously, but they all limit us daily.
great article. I knew a woman(believe it or not, she called herself Mother Herb) who didn’t eat meat, but when her friend took her out for brunch and ordered eggs benedict, she still appreciated the meal. Constraining labels lock us into box after box until we resemble marioshka dolls, our center lost somewhere within. On the other hand, if you want to “be something”, calling yourself that by name will help you transform to what you do WANT to be.
@ BSTONE – Thank you and thanks for your visit to Evolving Wellness :)
I really like the story you present because I have seen this as an example on myself several times now, where locking myself into a label is just so limiting and it just doesn’t feel good.
We are dynamic human beings that are constantly changing and so as you say, may we not lock ourselves into boxes where we do end up getting lost somewhere inside.
This is really good, and something that I try hard to pass onto my seven children. Not to judge people based on appearance, perception, or to put people in a box.
Thanks.
@ DIANE – Hi Diane and thank you for stopping by! How wonderful to hear that not only are you aware of it, but also passing it onto your children. They are very lucky indeed, as today too many of us grow up to judge and label.
We can only create the society we want through our own personal words and actions – and it is wonderful to hear about people who are doing just that :)
While I’m not a vegetarian/vegan/any of those, I do see the problems with labels in society. However, trying to live without them is next to impossible. We will always be labeled, not even in the dietary sense, but in every sense. We will get labeled based on our job, on our religion, on our dietary habits, you name it, we’ll get labeled for it. You can choose not to label people, but that doesn’t mean people won’t label you.
But it doesn’t matter, and why should it?. Things only matter when you let them get to you. Why should it matter if someone thinks you’re a vegetarian, therefore you’re skinny, healthy, never eat meat, yadda yadda? People will always have preconceptions and while they’re often wrong, it happens. YOU know who you are, so why should you really care who other people think you are?
It’s true that it’s human nature to want to be accepted by our peers, but there are always people out there who will like you and who will accept you and who really want to know you. I mean, just because you don’t eat meat doesn’t change you as a person. If people like who you are and they’re iffy about how you eat, it’s not like they’re just going to brush you off. And if they do, are they people you want to be around anyway?
And if they like you anyway and you really want them to understand, have them over for dinner :P.
I don’t know, I’m rambling now. Good post, very insightful. Looking forward to reading the rest of the site.
Amber
Nice post, Evita! I’ve actually been writing a post on the label game, to put up soon! Thanks for your very kind comment on Hadley’s site, too.
@ AMBER – The thing about the “label game” is a tricky one.
While I try to get away from labels in my own life, for self and others, I also am not naive to the fact that they can be very helpful.
Just as with everything else, it is not a weapon that is bad. It is HOW we use it.
It is true that most people are very into labels, in every sense and limit others with them incredibly. And that is where my problem with all this comes in, labels do not necessarily have to be bad, as long as we apply the right ones to us, or better yet broader meanings to who we are in general.
And you bring up excellent points about being in the company of people who accept you for who you are deep inside, not because of what any label says about you.
So as I started in this comment, it is tricky when it comes to labels, but don’t lose hope that a world without incorrect labels is not possible. We will have whatever we as a human race choose to make. And the more people that don’t like a particular system, the more change we can expect to see.
@ GENA – Thanks Gena! I look forward to reading your post about this topic too :)
Beautiful liberating post, Evita. Very in depth.
It is hard to be exactly who you are because society uses methods of keeping us on a straight line. They want many to be the same when we are all born with unique personalities.
Wild wave!!!
Hugs, JJ
The Premarin is working and I am much better. It is because of your blog that I said yes to taking a tiny dab of it to help with my thinning skin. The tiny dab is not supposed to be absorbed into the system much so I don’t have to worry about breast cancer, according to the the doctor. Glad I said yes.:D You have made a difference in my life. Thank you.
Hugs, JJ
@ JJ – Thank you so much JJ! We can only liberate ourselves, if we first recognize that we have a choice, or choices and that society need not dictate where we fit in.
As for the premarin, I wish it could have worked out more natural for you, but I am glad you are feeling better. And I am humbled by your expression of kindness – thank you, it means a lot!
Hi Evita,
I try not to get into the whole label idea. Labels it seems are always used in a negative way by people to put other people down.
Hi Dave
That is so great to hear! Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on this topic. Labels definitely limit us in many ways. Now it is a matter of conversing in society and feeling understood, without getting stuck in or attached to labels.