The Eating Disorder Recovery Blog

Anorexia nervosa is not simply a weight disorder or just about food. It’s a mental illness that profoundly affects an individual’s thoughts, emotions, and behaviours.

Are you or a loved one battling anorexia? Discover the different types of anorexia, when to seek help, signs and symptoms, and available treatment options.

Are you struggling with an eating disorder and feel like you’ve tried everything without success? It can be disheartening to feel like you’ve exhausted all your options, especially when you haven’t found the type of support that has really helped.

Our approach to eating disorder treatment is different, and here’s why.

Approaches to nutrition for eating disorder recovery can vary depending on the type and stage of the eating disorder.

We believe in a gentle approach to nutrition that meets you where you are today. Our ethos involves empathy, education and empowerment.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) defines atypical anorexia as meeting all of the criteria for anorexia nervosa except for the criterion of low body weight.

In this blog post we explore what atypical anorexia is, why the term can be unhelpful, and our approach to treatment.

As Covid restrictions lifted, we were shocked that 100% of clients made the choice to continue with our new online format rather than going back to in-person support.

This is how it all began!

The month of February means Valentine’s Day, bringing our focus to the topic of love. Love can be a difficult topic when you are struggling with your relationship with food and body image.

Here we explore how recovery supports love and helps to create healthier and more meaningful relationships for years to come.

Dieting can lead to a preoccupation with food and weight that, for some, can become obsessive and harmful.

Here we explore some of the problem with diets, before highlighting 5 reasons that dieting may lead to eating disorders.

Christmas can be a challenging time for those in eating disorder recovery. However, keeping aligned with your recovery goals and a little planning ahead can support a positive outcome.

Here are 5 top tips to support you or a loved one through this time.

Eating disorders are complex mental illnesses that can leave sufferers feeling incredibly lost. The question ‘who am I without my eating disorder’ is one that many ask themselves as they work through recovery.

In this article are some powerful reflective questions to support you with this aspect of your journey.

In today’s blog post, eating disorder recovery warrior Lydia discusses how she navigated her fears around body change and took powerful steps towards body acceptance. Sharing difficulties she faced and a recovery tool that she found particularly helpful throughout her recovery journey.

Using affirmations can be incredibly supportive of eating disorder recovery.

We asked our recovery group to share the affirmations that have supported them most through eating disorder recovery. Here are the top 20 they found most useful. We hope they inspire you too.

In today’s post a wonderful recovery client Abby, shares her recovery playlist and discusses how music has supported her through the highs and lows of this journey.

“When you feel isolated, it is incredible how a song can speak to you and make you feel less alone (Sam Smith nails this!)”

Have you ever listened to the little voice inside you that reminds you of your younger self? Regardless of how much we grow, we carry our younger selves with us through each day. Perhaps it’s the unheard 10-year-old self that shows up when we feel someone isn’t listening to us, or maybe it’s the heartbroken teen who shows up when we feel a lack of attention or care.

A question we are often asked is ‘when should I start working with an eating disorder recovery coach?’ At Natural Food Therapy, our coaches are essentially eating disorder specialists. Having trained in multiple disciplines from nutrition to counselling to eating disorders, and with a wealth of experience– our coaches are able to support you through several stages of your recovery.

Most people will experience a grieving process on their journey towards body acceptance. A powerful and necessary step that allows you to let go and grieve unrealistic expectations of what your body ‘should’ look like. Here are the five stages of body grief and some thoughts on how to navigate them.

Today we hear from Sophie who recovered from her eating disorder with the support of our team and her family. Looking back on her journey, she shares her thoughts on how to be there for someone through recovery. A valuable and insightful article full of helpful tips from someone who’s been there.

At Natural Food Therapy, the natural progression from private support is to join our recovery group. And at the right time, we believe this can become a valuable part of your recovery journey. Today we hear from Amber, who shares her transition from private support into group therapy.

Setting intentions is an important part of eating disorder recovery. By moving into each week, month and year with clarity around what you are working on, you create a powerful path. Here we share four crucial steps to setting intentions successfully through recovery.

January is possibly the most challenging month for anyone suffering from an eating disorder. It can not only reinforce behaviours that you’ve been working so hard to change but can drive a depriving and punishing mentality with regards to food and exercise.

As we enter a new year, the traditions around setting resolutions and January diets can be full of difficulties for those suffering or at risk of an eating disorder. Today we hear from a sufferer who shares her recovery experience and some inspiring insights on how to approach this year differently.

The festivities may seem like an enjoyable time, but they can be filled with anxiety for someone in recovery from an eating disorder. The time spent eating, drinking, socialising with family and friends can cause stress and uncertainty. Our lead clinician Sasha Paul shares her top tips to support you with navigating the festive period.

Eating disorders are mental illnesses that involve complex relationships with food, exercise and body image. They cause significant harm and are by no means a lifestyle choice or phase. Anyone can develop an eating disorder regardless of age, gender, cultural or racial background. 

Christmas can be a difficult time of year for those suffering with an eating disorder. The festivities are often centred around food with celebratory meals, changes to eating patterns, and social gatherings. All of which present their own challenges. In this post we hear from a sufferer who shares her experience of Christmas day.

Dear Tiktok, I wanted to write to you to make you aware of some of the struggles I have come across on your platform, as an anorexia fighter and survivor. Firstly, I think your app can be such a positive and uplifting place. However, for those suffering with an eating disorder or for those at risk, there is a side to this app that can be extremely dangerous.