The Eating Disorder Foundation (EDF) is set to host a comedy show on February 27 called “The Roast of Diet Culture,” aimed at tackling the harmful effects of diet culture in a playful and thought-provoking way. EDF is a Denver nonprofit that is dedicated to preventing and eliminating eating disorders through education, support, and advocacy. The show will take place at Mercury Cafe, in Denver, featuring a lineup of comedians who will critique and challenge diet culture’s pervasive influence on society.
Doors open at 6:00 p.m., followed by the performance at 7:00 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early to connect with EDF staff and socialize before the show begins. This event is for individuals ages 18 and older and aligns with the theme of National Eating Disorder Awareness Week, “Unifying through Community and Connection,” which is meant to help those who are struggling find strength in the support of others who are also navigating recovery. National Eating Disorder Awareness Week begins on February 24 this year.
Diet culture, according to the National Alliance for Eating Disorders, promotes rigid beauty standards, moralizes food choices, and equates thinness with health. “The Roast of Diet Culture” aims to challenge these deeply ingrained beliefs in a comedic and engaging format — roasting the culture itself rather than individuals. The show’s lineup of performers was thoughtfully selected by comedian and host Morgan Lorraine Gallo. “They've each individually been chosen for their writing talent and for their ability to write roast jokes,” Gallo said.
Gallo, a body-positivity advocate and host of the My Body, My Jokes podcast, brings a personal connection to the event. “When I went on a national tour, I hit a point where I realized that if I wanted to continue pursuing comedy, I had to take care of myself,” she said. Gallo said that her own journey with eating disorder recovery has influenced both her comedy and advocacy.
“I've been in recovery for like a year and a half now, and through that journey, I have started to meld my experience with having an eating disorder and using humor to cope with it,” she said. She also highlighted that a common misconception about eating disorders is that people have to be diagnosed by a professional to have one. “When I talk online about binge eating or restricting or purging, I think there's this misconception that if you're not officially diagnosed as one of those things, you don't really have an eating disorder,” she said.
EDF’s program director, Lydia Rhino, praises Gallo’s presence in the Denver comedy scene and her openness about her recovery. “Having a comedian in Denver who is also in recovery is so cool,” she said. “Just having someone else who’s speaking out about it so candidly — people are excited to hear what she brings to the community.”
Rhino also emphasized that eating disorders affect people of all ages and genders, not just young women. She said that one of EDF’s most active support groups is for individuals over 50 and that men, trans, and nonbinary individuals also experience disordered eating.
She said that she believes humor can be a powerful tool for addressing issues related to eating disorders and diet culture. “The roast isn’t targeted at a specific person or group, but rather at this entity that exists in our culture that harms us all,” she said. “How absurd is it that we can't go on a media app without getting targeted ads for weight loss medication? I'm hoping people will experience a little bit of release through laughter.”
EDF acknowledges that discussions about diet culture can be sensitive, and encourages attendees to assess their own mental well-being before attending, ensuring they feel safe in their recovery. For those who may need additional support, EDF offers a range of resources.
“Recovery is possible, and there is hope for healing,” Rhino said. While “The Roast of Diet Culture” won’t be available virtually, most of EDF’s services are, and the organization is exploring the possibility of offering future online events.
Paid venue parking and street parking are available for the event. Tickets are $25, with a limited number of free tickets available through donor support.
