What happens when you know you need to recover, but part of you still doesn’t want to let go of the eating disorder? This can be one of the most confusing and frustrating parts of recovery. We often assume motivation needs to come first and that once we feel “ready enough”, change will become easier. But recovery rarely works quite so neatly. In this edition of Dietitian Diaries, I explore the ambivalence that can come with eating disorder recovery, why you don’t need to feel

You know the eating disorder is taking things from you. You might be tired of thinking about food. Tired of negotiating with yourself about what you can eat. Tired of the rules, the guilt, the checking, the exercise, the comparisons, or the constant noise in your head. Part of you genuinely wants things to change. And yet, when it comes to actually doing something differently, you feel stuck. “I know what I need to do. So why can’t I just do it?” This is something I hear ofte

Have you ever found yourself thinking, “I’ll be good tomorrow,” or “I shouldn’t be hungry again already”? That quiet battle that plays out in your head around food, guilt, rules, control isn’t about willpower. It’s about trust. When eating starts to feel like a constant tug-of-war between your body and your mind, it’s usually a sign that permission- true, unconditional permission to eat, has been lost somewhere along the way. Often people I work with tell me they know what th

In a world that often glorifies thinness and competitiveness, the intersection of anorexia and the pursuit of success can be a perilous and heartbreaking one. Anorexia nervosa, a complex and life-threatening eating disorder, is often rooted in deep-seated psychological and emotional struggles, but it can also be exacerbated by the pressures of a competitive society. This article explores the relationship between anorexia and competitiveness, shedding light on the profound imp

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

A gradual approach that begins with safe foods and introduces tiny changes to help your child comfortably expand the foods they eat. How do you start food chaining? Identify a food your child reliably eats. Introduce a gradual change (e.g., brand, shape, texture, or flavour). Repeated, pressure-free exposure helps build acceptance. When your child accepts a changed food, it is added to their growing list of safe foods. From here, you can gently move on to the next step. Ti

If eating feels difficult, stressful or overwhelming, it isn't always simply “picky eating”. For some children and young people, eating a wide range of foods can feel genuinely hard. They may have a very small number of foods they feel comfortable eating, struggle with particular smells or textures, rarely feel hungry, or be frightened that something bad will happen when they eat. This may be ARFID – Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder. What is ARFID? ARFID is an eating

“My child is an incredibly picky eater.” It is something I hear from parents all the time. And picky eating can be a completely normal part of childhood. But sometimes food avoidance becomes much more than simply preferring some foods over others. Parents may notice their child's list of accepted foods becoming smaller and smaller. Meals might cause significant anxiety. Their child may struggle to eat enough, avoid social situations involving food, or become frightened of cho

At first glance, keeping the peace at mealtimes feels like the kindest, most reasonable thing to do. Your child is distressed. The tension is rising. Everyone is on edge. So you step back. You soften expectations. You say, “Let’s just leave it for now.” Instantly, things feel better. The room calms, and your child relaxes. You feel relief. But there’s something important happening beneath the surface. The Relief Trap In that moment, it’s not just you and your child experienci

When parents come to see me about ARFID, one of their biggest concerns is often food variety. “My child only eats a handful of foods.” “They won't eat vegetables.” “They've dropped another food they used to eat.” “How can we get them to try something new?” These are completely understandable concerns. Variety is important, and helping a child or young person gradually feel more comfortable with different foods can certainly be part of ARFID treatment. But sometimes, variety i