The other day I was having a conversation with some of my friends from home when one of them mentioned that the Dunkin' Donuts menu at her school listed the calorie content of each menu item rather than its price. We immediately began discussing how toxic this practice is, and how commonplace it has become in recent years.

It seems like any place you go, you can easily navigate the menu via calorie content or what's on the "Skinny" menu. I've noticed this especially in fast food establishments, such as coffee chains. Starbucks advertises their "skinny" syrups, designed to be "guilt free" (a term that is entirely toxic and unhealthy).

Maybe I don't care about the calorie count of my iced coffee, perhaps I just want to know how much it costs so I don't face the embarrassment of getting my debit card declined over an extra shot of espresso.

This topic is really important, especially when regarding how certain individuals may interpret the information. Some people have had serious struggles with disordered eating, and to be bombarded with calorie counts, grams of sugar, and "skinny" options is extremely overwhelming. It is very hard to push past your comfort zone and try new things when everything that terrifies you is being forced into your subconscious.

Diet culture is so incredibly toxic, and at this point in time, it really is impossible to ignore. We see articles flood our news feed telling us how to "lose those last 10 pounds", or ideas for "guilt-free snacks". By attaching words such as "guilt" or "cheat" to foods that should be simply enjoyed in moderation, it employs a seriously toxic relationship between ourselves and foods that we enjoy.

Unfortunately, diet culture is so significant in society today, and it is growing rapidly. It's now impossible to indulge in your favorite morning pick-me-up without thinking about how many calories you're consuming.

I hope that in the future we can stray away from diet culture entirely, although I presume that this is a battle that may last for generations to come. There's no reason that anyone should stop eating or drinking things that they enjoy because a corporation has designed their menu to make them feel bad about what they choose to order.

I can't tell you to ignore the calorie content because, in reality, it's become a bold, loud statement on every food package and menu. However, if you are sensitive to this type of material, perhaps make the shift to local eateries, like a small coffee shop in town or a local restaurant that most likely won't list its nutritional content for all to see.

While it is important to be conscientious of what we put into our bodies, ensuring that we are getting proper nutrition, it's almost become taboo to treat ourselves to our favorite foods.