Burnt Toast by Virginia Sole-Smith

Burnt Toast is a newsletter that arrives twice a week, focusing on our experiences with diet culture and fatphobia, particularly in the context of parenting. However, it's also enjoyed by those who aren't parents!

National

English

Newsletter (Digital), Podcast

Outlet metrics

Domain Authority

Ranking

Global

N/A

Country

N/A

Articles

Swimsuits to Save Your Spring Break

1 week ago | virginiasolesmith.substack.com | Virginia Sole-Smith |Corinne Fay

Let’s be clear: If you’re lucky enough to be near a beach or a pool anytime from February through early May, you are lucky enough. And yet, the unequivocal privilege of being able to escape a frozen hellscape for a few days of sunshine brings its own set of panic moments. How did we get so pale and pasty in a few short months of winter? What are we doing about body hair now? And for the love of god, where can I find a decent plus size swimsuit?
The Food Sensitivity Test to MAHA Mom Pipeline

1 week ago | virginiasolesmith.substack.com | Virginia Sole-Smith |Sara Petersen

A few weeks ago, dove deep into the MAHA Mom mindset. How did so many crunchy mamas (see: Rudy Jude, 1000 Hours Outside) end up voting for Trump? One big reason is influencer culture, as Sara explains: This is the danger of communicating and making sense of the world through aesthetics.
"I Love Reading Books With Fat Women Who Don’t Care About Being Fat."

2 weeks ago | virginiasolesmith.substack.com | Virginia Sole-Smith |Jasmine Guillory

Jasmine is a New York Times-bestselling author of nine novels, including The Wedding Date, The Proposal, and her brand new book Flirting Lessons. This is an absolutely delightful conversation. Jasmine and I get into why she is publishing her first queer romance. We talk a lot about fat rep in romance novels, and we also talk about gardening. It’s so much fun! PS.
Bad Mom Books and Good Mom Bags

2 weeks ago | virginiasolesmith.substack.com | Virginia Sole-Smith

I swear I don’t always, or only read, books about complicated mothers, but I do read A LOT of books about complicated mothers, so it is apparently time for another installment of the Bad Mom Book Club! I am very, very lucky to be one of the people Lynn asks for early gut-check reads on her novels, and I adore everything she writes, but believe me when I tell you: THIS ONE IS INCREDIBLE.
Why Do We Feel Bad About Our Chins?

2 weeks ago | virginiasolesmith.substack.com | Virginia Sole-Smith

My 11-year-old and I are working our way through New Girl right now. Yes, the Zooey Deschanel sitcom, which ran from 2011 to 2018 and quite frankly, feels way more dated than that now. Did we ever truly love bangs that much?? (Yes, we did, and I had them.)1Like most out-of-date sitcoms, New Girl is also rampant with fatphobia. Schmidt is a former fat kid and they frequently put Max Greenfield in a fat suit for flashbacks.
Rejoice, For Bare Ankles Have Returned

3 weeks ago | virginiasolesmith.substack.com | Virginia Sole-Smith

Hello April! With any luck, we are just weeks from the end of stick season here in the Hudson Valley. Alllll of my gardening energy has kicked into high gear — we’re starting seeds this year, which I don’t always do and hope not to kill! I’m also making new garden beds because obviously I didn’t have enough! There is also an active discussion unfolding in my house about whether we should get chickens??
Trad Wives Don't Get Fat

3 weeks ago | virginiasolesmith.substack.com | Virginia Sole-Smith

Hi Burnt Toasties! I am SO HAPPY to be shifting into spring mode. We spent yesterday starting seeds for the garden (more on what I’m most excited to plant this year below!) and if the rain holds off, I’m hoping to get some beds cleared out today. Seeing little green buds and shoots coming up turns me into Peak Garden Mom, hollering at my children to come admire the bud of a lilac.
Is Everything a Diet?

3 weeks ago | virginiasolesmith.substack.com | Sonya Taylor |Virginia Sole-Smith

Today’s essay is a response to a question I’ve been asked repeatedly, and have been pondering, for awhile. It’s also, essentially, the mission statement of Burnt Toast. If this resonates with you, please consider supporting our work with a paid subscription. A heart or restack is also a huge help! Thanks so much for being here. One thing about me: I can make anything a diet. I’m programmed to achieve and excel, to crave gold stars and high grades.
"Do I Tell My Kids I'm On Ozempic?"

4 weeks ago | virginiasolesmith.substack.com | Corinne Fay |Virginia Sole-Smith

Current time: 0:00 / Total time: -1:21Audio playback is not supported on your browser. Please upgrade. Weekly conversations about how we dismantle diet culture and fatphobia, especially through parenting, health and fashion. (But non-parents like it too!) Hosted by Virginia Sole-Smith, journalist and author of THE EATING INSTINCT and the forthcoming FAT KID PHOBIA. Weekly conversations about how we dismantle diet culture and fatphobia, especially through parenting, health and fashion.
What the World Needs Now is a Chubby Filter

1 month ago | virginiasolesmith.substack.com | Virginia Sole-Smith

Some Tuesdays, I give you extensive link roundups. Today I want to talk about just three things, but they are all (imo) pretty darn important. The infamous chubby filter on TikTok. YES I TRIED IT. The creepiness of Evie Magazine and what the founders had to say about fatness in a recent interview. One cute and (as far as I can tell!!) thoroughly ethical purchase I am making for my kitchen this week. (Don’t worry, it’s not another air fryer.) Let’s get into it. I can’t wait to hear your thoughts.