Ah, Thanksgiving. Smile through small talk, avoid family politics, and for many of usnavigates the very real experience of body shaming on Thanksgiving. This day is also the only holiday wrapped in a kindergarten version of history, filling plates with comfort food that can help you feel soothed. and will be activated at the same time.
And for so many plus-size people, especially those recovering from disordered eating or navigating complicated family relationships, Thanksgiving can be Thanksgiving. A minefield of food enforcement, unsolicited comments, and body shaming wrapped in fake concern.
As someone who grew up in a family full of fitness-first personalities: a father who never went to the gym because he hated it, a younger sister who was a bodybuilder, and parents who were afraid of going back to their big bodies. I had to unlearn years of holiday shame spirals. Like many plus-size people, I was acutely aware of how people looked at what I put on my plate, how fast I ate, or whether I had the courage to go back for seconds.
to be honest, This Thanksgiving, there’s a way to turn a family member you never hired into a self-appointed health coach.
But here’s the good news.
you absolutely you are not alone and you are alone absolutely Not powerless.
Below is your 2025 guide to surviving body shaming on Thanksgiving.
Full of clarity, confidence, and the joy of being curvy.
1. Don’t restrict your diet before Thanksgiving
There’s a long-standing myth that you should “save” your calories by Thanksgiving, like your 2007 cell phone plan rollover.
Spoiler: Your body is not a billing cycle.
When you restrict before a holiday meal, the following happens:
- mental pain
- Overeating restriction cycle
- spiral of shame
- feel disconnected from your body
In the days before Thanksgiving, nourish yourself compassionately and consistently. What your body needs is stability, not punishment.
2. Eat healthy food youNot to get Aunt Karen’s approval.
Breaking news:
Just because Aunt Karen brings you triple buttercream corn casserole every year doesn’t mean you owe allegiance to her plate.
Please watch:
- How does this food make you feel?
- do you want?
- Will your body feel nourished or nauseous afterwards?
You’re not obligated to eat everything that’s put in front of you, and you’re not a bad person for leaving something on your plate.
Eat consciously. Please eat slowly. Eat using your whole body, not just your taste buds.
3. There’s no need to tolerate body shaming on Thanksgiving, as long as it’s safe.
As always, before you clap back or set boundaries, please note the following:
Am I physically and mentally safe in this environment?
If yes, here are some real strategies for dealing with body shaming on Thanksgiving.
Option A: Do Not Sell + Redirect
classic movement.
- “Hmm. Anyway, how was your trip to Florida?”
- “I noticed. Hey, didn’t you say you had a hard time at work? Tell me more.”
Option B: Set clear boundaries
Kind. directly. I can’t afford it.
- “I am not accepting comments about my body and plates.”
- “I’m enjoying my meal. Please let me do that without saying a word.”
Option C: Educate (only if you have the energy)
Emotional labor is optional, not required.
- “The comments are harmful and reinforce harmful ideas about bodies and food.”
- “I’m working on repairing my relationship with food, but statements like that don’t help.”
Option D: Leave the situation
actually. you can:
- please go outside
- move to another room
- call a friend
- Or leave it completely?
You are allowed to keep your own peace.
4. Remember that you are not alone, even if it feels like it
One of the best things about living in 2025 is that the plus-size community will be more accessible than ever.
If the actual table feels heavy, Your digital curvaceous family is here.
We have experienced the following:
- Body shaming at Thanksgiving
- Years of unsolicited comments
- Food monitoring by relatives, unchanged since the Clinton administration
And every year, we help each other get through this crisis.
This season, you are supporteddeeply and fully.
5. Some Affirmations for Your Thanksgiving Toolkit
Say these words out loud, whisper them, or take a screenshot to reset your bathroom break.
- my body is not on trial today.
- The food is nutritionis not a moral test.
- I worthy Every table brings joy, peace, and full satisfaction.
- Their comments are about their fears, not my worth.
- I choose Peace against pressure.
- I no need to shrink My body, my existence.
- I allowed To take up space. Physically, emotionally, and at the table.
You survived 100% of this past Thanksgiving.
If you overcome this, you can definitely grow.
And remember: You’re the main dish, baby
If there’s one thing you can learn from this Thanksgiving guide, it’s this:
You don’t just show up to dinner… You have dinner.
The whole appetizer. The whole thing expanded. That moment.
So let the side dishes be the side dishes.
Let a casserole be a casserole.
Let Aunt Karen be Karen.
Your job is to:
- serve face
- protect your peace
- eat what you want to eat
- avoid drama
- And remember that their commentary does not tell everything about them, but absolutely nothing about you.
Thanksgiving comes once a year.
How confident are you? It’s forever.
Now it’s time to take back your plate, your pie, and your power.
This article, “How to Survive Body Shaming at Thanksgiving (Without Losing Your Sanity This Season)” first appeared on The Curvy Fashionista and was written by our editorial staff.
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Source: The Curvy Fashionista – thecurvyfashionista.com
