The Link Between Eating Disorders and Neurodivergence: How ADHD and Autism Influence Eating Behaviours
Understanding how ADHD and autism intersect with eating disorders can transform the way we provide support and manage eating behaviours. This post delves into how neurodivergence influences eating patterns, from impulsivity in ADHD to sensory sensitivities in autism. Gain insights into practical strategies for supporting those affected and learn how to tailor approaches to their unique needs. For further guidance, explore our free Eating Disorder Awareness Course, designed to offer compassionate support and valuable insights for navigating these complex issues.
How to Support a Loved One with an Eating Disorder: Compassionate and Effective Strategies
Supporting a loved one through an eating disorder is a profound act of compassion and care. Our guide offers practical strategies for providing the right support, from educating yourself about different eating disorders to encouraging professional help and promoting healthy coping strategies. Learn how to approach conversations with empathy, maintain patience, and support their treatment goals. For further guidance and resources, explore our Course Library, which includes essential tools on body image, intuitive eating, and emotional well-being.
Understanding Eating Disorders: Types, Symptoms, and Effective Treatments
Eating disorders affect millions and go beyond just food and weight. From anorexia to pica, each type has unique symptoms and requires specific treatment approaches. This guide delves into the complexities of eating disorders, offering insights into recognising symptoms, understanding different types, and exploring effective treatments. Whether you’re seeking to support a loved one or understand more about these conditions, this post provides essential information and compassionate guidance for navigating the journey towards recovery. For further support, explore our Course Library, featuring resources on eating disorders, body image, intuitive eating, and more.
Overcoming Food Guilt: 5 Steps to Embrace Food Freedom and Enjoy Eating Again
Tired of feeling guilty after every meal? It’s time to break the cycle of food guilt and embrace food freedom. In this post, we’ll guide you through five powerful steps to help you challenge diet culture, enjoy eating without shame, and build a healthier relationship with food. Ready to take the next step? Our Intuitive Eating Course is here to support you on your journey to lasting food freedom.
What Does a Healthy Relationship with Food Look Like? - A Guide to Achieving Balance and Peace with Eating
Ready to redefine your relationship with food? Discover the key elements of a healthy, balanced approach to eating that nourishes both your body and mind. From embracing all foods without guilt to practicing self-compassion, learn how to cultivate a more peaceful and joyful connection with food. Explore our Course Library for deeper guidance and take the next step in your wellness journey.
Understanding and Managing Emotional Eating: Triggers, Strategies, and Support
Emotional eating is more than just a habit—it’s a response to our deepest feelings. Understanding what triggers emotional eating and learning how to manage it can transform your relationship with food and your emotions. Ready to take control? Our Emotional Eating Course offers the tools and insights you need to break the cycle with compassion and confidence.
Holiday Self-Care: Essential Tips for Maintaining Mental and Physical Health During the Festive Period
Feeling overwhelmed by the festive rush? Our latest guide offers essential tips for taking care of your mental and physical health during Christmas and New Year’s. Learn how to embrace balance, practice mindfulness, set realistic boundaries, and stay connected with loved ones. Ready to make self-care a priority? Explore our Course Library for resources on body image, intuitive eating, stress management, and more.
Navigating Food-Related Anxiety During the Festive Season: Tips for a Stress-Free Christmas and New Year’s
Feeling anxious about food during the festive period? You’re not alone. In this post, we share practical tips to help you navigate food-related anxiety and social pressures during Christmas and New Year’s. From setting boundaries to embracing mindful eating, learn how to enjoy the season without stress. Ready to make peace with food? Explore our Intuitive Eating Course for the support you need.
Trauma, Abuse and Eating Disorders
Researchers think there are many people with eating disorders who are also suffering from symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD. There are strong links between eating disorders and a history of childhood sexual abuse and/or adult rape.
Eating Disorder Facts and Myths
Eating disorders can be a way of coping with feelings or situations that are making the person unhappy, angry, depressed, stressed, or anxious. They are not the fault of the person suffering, and no one chooses to have an eating disorder. They are complex psychological issues and have surprisingly little to do with food with you dig really deep into them.
What is OSFED and what counts as disordered eating?
Disordered eating doesn't just mean eating disorders. It includes the binge and restrict cycle, the dieting cycle, restriction of amounts or times of food, overeating in the name of a cheat day and then fasting the next day. Sometimes a person’s symptoms don’t exactly fit the expected symptoms for the clinical criteria for eating disorders. In that case, they might be diagnosed with an “other specified feeding or eating disorder” (OSFED).
What is Orthorexia?
Orthorexia refers to an unhealthy obsession with eating “pure” food. Food considered “pure” or “impure” can vary from person to person. This doesn’t mean that anyone who subscribes to a healthy eating plan or diet is suffering from orthorexia. It is not currently recognised in a clinical setting as a separate eating disorder.
Understanding Bulimia Nervosa
People with bulimia are caught in a cycle of eating large quantities of food (called bingeing), and then trying to compensate for that overeating by vomiting, taking laxatives or diuretics, fasting, or exercising excessively (called purging). Someone with bulimia will place a strong emphasis on their weight and body shape and may see themselves as much larger than they are (links to Body Dysmorphic Disorder).
What You Need To Know About Anorexia Nervosa
A person suffering from anorexia may develop “rules” around what they feel they can and cannot eat, as well as things like when and where they’ll eat. They may engage in body checking behaviours such as weighing and measuring themselves regularly (links with obsessive-compulsive features) and they may experience body dysmorphia (a distorted view of their own body).
Is Intuitive Eating Suitable for You and Are You Ready For It?
Intuitive Eating (IE) is a brilliant approach for making peace with food. But after years of dieting, disordered eating or full blown eating disorders, embracing Intuitive Eating can be a very daunting task. It’s also not suitable for everyone, right away. It’s therefore important to assess honestly, where you’re at with food and eating, before you dive into Intuitive Eating. Here’s some questions to help you assess your readiness…
Best Podcasts for Intuitive Eating, HAES, and Ditching Diet Culture
There are loads of great podcasts presented by dietitians, nutritionists, doctors, and therapists. Often, they feature other experts on their shows. It’s a fantastic way to learn a lot about a topic and hear some of the discussions and debates on an issue. Here are my favourite podcasts on Health At Every Size®, Body Positivity, and Intuitive Eating.
The Dangers of Diet Culture
Diet culture is life-threatening, toxic and damaging to both our physical and mental health. It can also spread like wildfire through the family tree. Many of the women on my courses have spoken of their friends, mothers, sisters and aunts dieting. If you struggle with disordered eating now, I can pretty much guarantee that someone in your circle has experimented with diets, body-shamed you or body shamed themselves in front of you. Can you relate to my story?
What is A Binge Eating Disorder?
In this article I cover what is meant by ‘Binge Eating Disorder’, how it is diagnosed, the definition of a ‘binge’, the difference between binge eating disorder and Bulimia and the health issues associated with BED.
How To Overcome An Emotional Eating Disorder
Emotional eating is NOT an eating problem. It's a coping mechanism for difficult emotions and therefore cannot be treated by dieting or restricting foods. To overcome emotional eating you must learn how to manage your emotions, here's how.
How Body Positivity Enabled Me To Recover from Disordered Eating
Here’s how the discovering Body Positive community helped put me on the path to recovery from a lifetime of disordered eating…