Disordered Eating & Dieting
While eating disorders are identified using diagnostic criteria from the DSM V, many individuals struggle with disordered eating. A 2018 study found that 58% of adolescent girls (aged 13-18) were engaging in practices in order to lose weight .
The diet industry encourages people of all ages, genders, and body types to adopt disordered eating habits under the guise of promoting health. At Fueling for Recovery, we believe that the answer isn’t about becoming better at controlling food intake. Instead, our professionals will work with you to unpack how diet culture has shaped your relationship with food and your body.
Practicing from at Health at Every Size Approach ⓒ, we focus on holistic health and well-being, not just weight. This means recognizing that individuals may not always be at what is considered their “ideal” weight for health, but embracing body diversity while fostering habits that support mental, physical, and emotional well-being.
Our Values
Our values guide the way we practice and the quality of the care that is offered to you.
Facts about dieting
One of the biggest indicators of weight is genetics.
In a study conducted in the 1940s, men were put on a 1600 calorie diet to explore the effects of starvation. That caloric number is higher than the recommended calories for most diets today (Minnesota Starvation Study)
A weight focused paradigm to health is not only ineffective, but has been found to contribute to repeated cycles of weight loss and regain, increased preoccupation with food, reduced self-esteem and eating disorders
Higher body weight is often linked to an increased risk of chronic diseases, but most epidemiological studies fail to account for important factors such as physical fitness, activity levels, nutrient intake, socioeconomic status, or the effects of weight cycling.
Dieting encourages controlling food intake through willpower and prompts a physiological response to overeat when food is available, leaving most dieters feeling guilt and shame for succumbing to ‘temptations’
A non-diet approach encourages people to enjoy food, honor their body's needs, and prioritize health in a holistic way—without the pressure to conform to diet culture or weight-centric goals
What you can expect from a non-diet approach:
Emphasize Nourishment, Not Restriction: Instead of creating rigid meal plans, the dietitian helps clients explore ways to incorporate a variety of foods that nourish the body and provide enjoyment. The goal is to promote balance and flexibility, allowing room for all foods without labeling them as “good” or “bad.”
-
Address Emotional and Social Factors: A non-diet approach acknowledges that eating is influenced by emotional, social, and cultural factors. The dietitian works with clients to explore these influences, fostering a compassionate understanding of how food fits into their lives beyond physical nourishment.
-
Encourage Body Respect: The dietitian helps clients shift the focus from changing their body to caring for it, regardless of size. This may involve redefining health goals to include factors like energy, mood, sleep, and physical activity, rather than weight.
-
Promote Long-Term Health: By focusing on sustainable habits like mindful eating, joyful movement, and self-care, the dietitian supports long-term well-being instead of short-term, unsustainable diet fixes. This helps clients build a lasting, positive relationship with food and their body.
-
Focus on Intuitive Eating: The dietitian encourages clients to tune into their body’s natural hunger and fullness cues, helping them eat in response to their needs rather than external pressures like calorie counting or portion control.
