Abby Langer, RD
The "Good Food, Bad Diet" Dietitian — Finding the Middle Ground
The Story
Imagine you're a student-athlete who's heard all the conflicting advice: "Cut carbs!" "Go keto!" "Never eat sugar!" Then you see Instagram influencers promoting detox teas and "clean eating" that makes you feel guilty for enjoying pizza with your team.
Abby Langer spent nearly two decades as a clinical dietitian before realizing something important: most people already know what's healthy. The problem isn't knowledge—it's the shame, guilt, and confusion that diet culture creates. Her journey led her to write Good Food, Bad Diet and become one of Canada's most trusted voices for a balanced, sustainable approach to eating.
Who is Abby Langer?
Abby Langer, RD is a Registered Dietitian from Toronto, Canada, with over 25 years of experience. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition from Ryerson University and completed her dietetic internship at St. Michael's Hospital. She's served on the Council of the College of Dietitians of Ontario and is a certified Intuitive Eating counselor.
Her Big Idea: The "Radical Middle"
Langer occupies a unique space in nutrition. She rejects both:
- Rigid diet culture — The shame-based approach that demonizes certain foods
- Extreme anti-diet positions — That sometimes dismiss all health goals as problematic
Instead, she advocates for body respect with autonomy — you can care about your health without hating yourself.
Key Concepts
| Concept | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Diet Culture | The belief system equating thinness with health and moral virtue |
| The Diet Voice | That internal critic policing every food choice |
| Fullness vs. Satisfaction | Physical fullness isn't the same as feeling satisfied |
| Add-In Approach | Focus on adding nutritious foods, not restricting "bad" ones |
| Body Respect | Treating your body with dignity regardless of its size |
What ISP Students Learn
From Abby Langer's approach, ISP students discover:
1. Psychology Comes First
You can't change eating habits without addressing why you eat the way you do. Shame doesn't motivate lasting change—self-compassion does.
2. All Foods Fit
No single food is "good" or "bad." A cookie won't destroy your health, and a salad won't save it. What matters is overall patterns.
3. Satisfaction Matters
Eating a huge plate of "diet food" that leaves you unsatisfied leads to later cravings. Building meals that are both nutritious and enjoyable is the sustainable path.
4. Spot the Grifters
Langer is famous for calling out wellness influencers selling detox teas, "clean eating" programs, and fear-based nutrition advice. Learn to recognize red flags.
Key Takeaways
| Principle | Application for Student-Athletes |
|---|---|
| Ditch the diet voice | Notice when you're being self-critical about food choices |
| Add, don't subtract | Focus on getting enough protein, fiber, and nutrients rather than cutting foods |
| Satisfaction = sustainability | Include foods you actually enjoy in your fueling plan |
| Question influencers | Be skeptical of anyone selling supplements or promoting fear |
| Your goals are valid | Wanting to perform better or feel stronger is healthy |
How This Shows Up at ISP
At Iowa Sports Prep, we integrate Langer's balanced philosophy:
- No "good" or "bad" foods — We teach nutrition science, not food morality
- Psychology-informed coaching — Understanding why you eat matters as much as what
- Real-world flexibility — Team dinners, travel, and social eating are part of life
- Critical media literacy — Learning to evaluate nutrition claims and spot misinformation
- Performance focus — Fueling for your sport, not for appearance
Learn More
Books
- Good Food, Bad Diet (2021) — Her comprehensive guide to ditching diet culture
Online
- Abby Langer Nutrition — Her practice and blog
- Media contributions to SELF, Men's Health, Women's Health, and CBC