There’s nothing that won’t rile people up online. Case in point: Good Place actress Jameela Jamil was criticized for sharing a gluten-free recipe this week. Jamil, who is known for promoting body positivity, gave a recipe for her favorite berry crumble to UK’s Stylist magazine. She later shared the story on her Instagram, emphasizing that the crumble was “gluten free and dairy free with vegan vanilla ice cream [and] makes for a delicious desert [sic]. Yummmmm.”
Jamil, who has taken shots at Kim Kardashian for promoting laxatives and Amber Rose’s flat tummy tea, was immediately set upon by trolls who felt she was being hypocritical. “I feel a little heartbroken with all the wonderful things you promote you’re promoting diet culture with this dessert post,” one wrote. “As someone who has been inspired by your body positivity activism, this breaks my heart and confuses me,” said another, adding, “#antidietculture.”
But for every follower who felt Jamil was promoting dieting, there was another pointing out that gluten and dairy allergies are a widespread concern, and it was nice for the actress to share something they could eat. “It’s kind of crazy that people associate dairy-free, gluten-free and/or vegan as diet culture,” one commented. Another felt the criticism was much ado about nothing, writing, “For all the people saying that this promotes diet culture. This doesn’t promote diet culture. She just likes berry crumble and is recommending a recipe. This is harmless.” Well, thanks for clearing that up for us!
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Jamil is no stranger to clapping back at trolls and responded to the criticisms appropriately. She fixed the original Instagram caption to say, “UMMMM some of you think this is promoting diet culture?! guys I’m coeliac. Have been since I was a kid. South Asians often can’t digest dairy very well plus it’s more environmentally friendly, which I try to be when I can… So I use substitutions. And don’t be fooled that gluten and dairy free = less calories or fat. It doesn’t. It just makes it allergen free for people with those allergies. It’s MY recipe for me after all.”
She turned everything around with a laugh. “AS IF I would promote any diet. You guys make me laugh sometimes!” Mic down, Jamil.
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