International No Diet Day
Your body is not a problem to be solved — celebrate it as it is.
About
International No Diet Day on May 6 challenges diet culture and the diet industry — a global enterprise worth hundreds of billions of dollars that profits from people's dissatisfaction with their bodies. The day was created to celebrate body diversity, promote a healthy relationship with food and body image, and draw attention to the dangers of dieting as a default approach to health. Research consistently shows that most diets fail in the long term, often resulting in weight cycling that can be more harmful to health than simply maintaining a higher weight. The day also addresses the prevalence of eating disorders, which are among the most dangerous mental health conditions, and the role that diet culture and thin-ideal messaging plays in their development. International No Diet Day is an invitation to eat without guilt, challenge beauty standards, and distinguish between genuine health-promoting behaviours and the pursuit of thinness for its own sake.
History
International No Diet Day was founded in 1992 by British feminist author Mary Evans Young, who had struggled with anorexia as a teenager. She founded Diet Breakers, an organisation that ran 'diet breaking' events across the UK. The day spread internationally through women's organisations, eating disorder advocacy groups, and later social media. The day is symbolised by a light blue ribbon.
Where It's Observed
Cultural Context
US United States
Diet culture is pervasive in the US, reinforced by media, healthcare, and a multibillion-dollar wellness industry. International No Diet Day is widely observed in body-positive communities, eating disorder advocacy organisations, and among registered dietitians who take an anti-diet approach to nutrition counselling.
KR South Korea
South Korea's beauty culture places intense pressure on thinness — particularly on women. International No Diet Day provides a counterpoint to this, and Korean feminist and body-positive communities use it to push back against unrealistic beauty standards amplified by K-pop, advertising, and social media.
JP Japan
Japan's cultural pressure towards slimness, particularly on women, makes International No Diet Day a meaningful occasion for advocacy. Eating disorder rates in Japan are significant, and the day is used by mental health professionals to raise awareness and challenge the normalisation of extreme dieting.
How to Participate
- 01Eat without counting or restricting — enjoy food for pleasure and nourishment
- 02Unfollow social media accounts that promote diet culture or make you feel bad about your body
- 03Read about intuitive eating and Health at Every Size as evidence-based approaches
- 04Share the day's message with someone who might be struggling with their relationship with food
Frequently asked questions
When is International No Diet Day?+
International No Diet Day is observed annually on May 6. The date is fixed each year — May 6 — and does not shift based on the lunar calendar or weekday.
What is International No Diet Day?+
International No Diet Day on May 6 challenges diet culture and the diet industry — a global enterprise worth hundreds of billions of dollars that profits from people's dissatisfaction with their bodies. The day was created to celebrate body diversity, promote a healthy relationship with food and bod…
Is International No Diet Day a public holiday?+
International No Diet Day is an international observance or awareness day, not a public holiday in most countries. It does not typically result in days off work or school closures, though some countries and organisations hold official events.
How can I participate in International No Diet Day?+
Eat without counting or restricting — enjoy food for pleasure and nourishment Unfollow social media accounts that promote diet culture or make you feel bad about your body Read about intuitive eating and Health at Every Size as evidence-based approaches These are some of the most accessible ways to engage with the day's purpose.
Which countries observe International No Diet Day?+
Global — feminist and health advocacy tradition.
Mark the date
Download a free printable calendar for 2026 and never miss International No Diet Day.
US United States
United Kingdom
Australia
Canada
KR South Korea
JP Japan