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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.

Eating Struggles Are Rarely Just About Food Eating struggles can feel overwhelming. They often extend beyond simple nutrition advice. When traditional methods fail, it’s essential to explore deeper emotional and psychological layers. This journey can be challenging, but it is also a path toward healing. The Emotional Connection to Food Food is not just sustenance; it carries emotional weight. Many individuals associate certain foods with comfort, joy, or even sadness. Recogni

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

Mealtimes can carry so much more than food.They can hold anxiety, tension, tears, and sometimes a quiet sense of defeat. If this is your family right now, please know — you are not failing, and you are not alone. Change rarely happens through pressure or perfection. It grows through understanding, gentle support, and the right guidance. Whether your child is struggling with ARFID, an eating disorder, or a fractured relationship with food — support can make the path feel light

ARFID and autism often overlap — and support doesn’t need to be rushed or overwhelming. These slides share gentle, realistic starting points you can try at home, focused on safety, trust and reducing pressure around food 🤍 Helen Dean is a dietitian specialising in ARFID, autism and family-centred feeding support.

Most parents arrive at feeding therapy exhausted. Not just physically, but emotionally — worn down by years of worry, second-guessing, and trying everything they can think of to help their child eat “normally”. If that’s you, here are a few things I wish you knew before you began. Your child is not being difficult — they are struggling The refusal, rigidity and distress you see at mealtimes are not behavioural problems.They are signs of a nervous system that feels unsafe. You