	Diet Paradigm	Non-Diet Paradigm
Weight	Achieving ideal weight (or as close as possible) used as a measure of success.	Body will seek its natural weight as individuals eat in response to physical causes of hunger, fullness, and sense of well-being, as well as taste.
Hunger	Attempt to suppress or ignore hunger. Transgressions associated with lack of will power or "giving in." Physical and emotional hunger confused.	Physical cues to eat are valuable and relied upon. Responding to physical hunger and fullness (with occasional emotional eating) will bring about natural weight gain.
Exercise	Reaching and maintaining goal weight dependent on exercise, which is often dropped when an individual falls off a diet. It is seen as a "have to" or "should". It is common to develop exercise resistance.	Physical activities, listening to the body, seeking play, and natural movement are all explored. Not connected to weight loss or change of body size and shape.
Food	Moralized as good/bad, illegal/legal, should/shouldn't, on/off diet. Variety, quantity, calories, fat grams, etc. are determined by an external source, like the diet, program, or staff.	Neutralized. ALL food is acceptable. Quantity, quality, and frequency are determined by the individual exploring and responding to physical cues, sense of well-being, taste, medical values, and blood glucose levels. It is self-regulated, internally cued, and non-restrained.
Self-Esteem & Self-Acceptance	Individual typically gains a false sense of power and control with weight loss, adherence to diet, and exercise plan. Self-esteem and body acceptance rarely improve. This goal is elusive as one can usually get thinner and more toned.	Increase in self-esteem is from self-determined eating style and movement. Bodies come in all sizes and are naturally beautiful. Cultural standards are hazardous; pursuit of these standards can interfere with quality of life.
Trust and Distrust in Self and Body	Individual may come to distrust body and sense of judgment, especially with history of failure. Trust typically is placed primarily in diet or "nutritionist."	Trust develops in self and body by discerning physical cues and freely responding to them without judgment or criticism.

From: Moving Away from Diets by Nancy King MS, RD, CDE