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One of the hardest stages in eating disorder recovery is moving away from the meal plan. What once felt restrictive can start to feel like a safety net. Letting go of it can bring fear, uncertainty, and the question many people ask: “How will I know if I'm doing it right?” Recovery isn’t about removing structure overnight, it's about gradually building trust in your body, your hunger, and your choices. This is work we do together — gently, at your pace. email toda y: hdean197

One of the biggest misconceptions about eating disorder recovery is that once someone starts eating again, everything is “fixed”. But anyone who has walked alongside recovery knows it’s rarely that simple. Eating again is an important step — but the real work often begins after that. In this Dietitian Diaries  post, I unpack why recovery is about so much more than food, and the deeper questions many people face along the way. If this resonates with you, or someone you love, y

The Quiet Shift from Movement to Compulsion Exercise is often described as something purely positive. Good for your heart. Good for your mood. Good for your mind. And often, it is. But sometimes, quietly, slowly, something changes. What once came from a place of joy and health can begin to come from a very different place. A place driven by fear. Fear of gaining weight. Fear of not doing enough. Fear of missing a day. And before long, exercise stops being something you choose

Many of the young people I work with don’t read diet books anymore. They’re not buying weight-loss magazines. They’re not signing up to strict diet programs. Yet they are still surrounded by powerful messages about food, bodies and “health”. Those messages arrive quietly — through their phones. Through endless scrolling. Through short videos that appear harmless, entertaining, even inspiring. But over time, those messages can begin to shape how someone thinks about food, the

People often ask why recovery from anorexia is so hard. On the surface, the answer seems simple: just eat more. But anyone who has lived with an eating disorder knows the truth is far more complicated. Because anorexia doesn't always feel like an enemy. Sometimes, it feels like a protector; a comfort, a companion. Sometimes it feels like the most reliable thing in your life. And that is exactly what makes letting go so difficult. Many people don't develop anorexia because the

Is your child refusing food?Struggling with sensory overwhelm at meals?Anxious around eating? Join this online parent session exploring ARFID, severe picky eating, and practical strategies you can use immediately. During this session we’ll cover: • What ARFID actually is (and what it isn’t)• Why sensory and anxiety responses drive food refusal• Practical strategies for mealtimes• How to reduce pressure while still supporting nutrition• When to seek further help- register:...

Parents often tell me they're worried about saying the wrong thing or making things worse. When a young person is struggling with food, family support matters more than perfect meals or perfect words. You don't have to get everything right — you just need to keep showing up. That steady support helps young people feel safer around food and helps recovery begin. If you're feeling overwhelmed or unsure, you're not alone. Support for parents can make an enormous difference.

Snack time battles can be exhausting for everyone. Small changes in how we talk about food can make a real difference. These are some of the conversations I often share with families when snacks feel difficult or stressful. If snacks are a daily struggle, the right support can help.

When nutrition advice isn’t shifting things, it’s time to look deeper. Eating struggles are rarely just about food.

One of the most common things I hear from parents is: "I wish we had come sooner." Not because they missed something. But because eating difficulties rarely resolve with time alone. What might begin as: Increasing food refusal; shrinking safe foods; anxiety at mealtimes; rigid food rules; slow weight changes; body worries, can quietly become more entrenched. Here is what I want parents to know: Seeking support early is not an overreaction. It is protective. You do not need to

When the brain senses threat, the body shifts into protection mode. Appetite can disappear. Rigidity increases. New foods feel impossible. Anxiety rises at mealtimes. This is not a child being difficult —it is a nervous system trying to stay safe. And when safety increases, eating often becomes easier. If your child’s eating feels overwhelming, seeking the right support can make a meaningful difference — for both of you. This is the lens I bring to feeding therapy. Helen Dean