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Understand the “starved brain” and why nutrition must come first in eating disorder recovery. Practical parent insights + $1 per book to EDCS.

When You Want to Give Up, Keep Going If you are supporting someone with an eating disorder, there will be moments when you desperately want to stop. Stop pushing. Stop insisting.Stop being the “bad guy.”Stop holding boundaries that feel like they’re breaking the relationship. Those moments do not mean you are doing something wrong. They mean you are doing something hard . Structure is not cruelty, it is care In eating disorder recovery, structure and boundaries are not punis

Food Mad: Nutritional Neuroscience for Eating Disorder Recovery

Bloating. Constipation. Abdominal pain. Early fullness. IBS-type symptoms. These are often blamed on “food intolerances,” stress, or a “sensitive gut.”But one of the most common — and overlooked — causes is chronic underfueling . Digestion is not a passive process. It is energy-dependent , neurologically regulated, and deeply connected to both hormonal and microbial health. When energy intake is too low, the gut is one of the first systems to be down-regulated. This article e

The Math ain't Math'in Fourteen hundred calories is often presented as “reasonable,” “safe,” or even “generous.” Physiologically, it isn’t. Not for an adult body.Not for an active lifestyle.And not for a brain, gut, and hormonal system expected to function well. If you experience brain fog, irritability, constant hunger, bloating, constipation, poor sleep, feeling cold, or emotional flatness, this is rarely a motivation issue. It is far more often an energy availability issue

Dieting isn’t a personal failure — it’s a system that doesn’t work. A dietitian explains why choosing not to diet can support real health and recovery.

A Body Is Not a Problem to Solve | Body Trust, Brain Health & Self-Improvement

Learn how food builds and fuels your brain. Simple, science-based nutrition tips for mood, focus, memory, energy and long-term brain health.

Learn how the hippocampus is affected by anorexia and why BDNF—your brain’s growth signal—may support brain recovery beyond weight gain alone.

This story is a composite, drawn from the experiences of many people I’ve worked with over the years. It isn’t about being the “sickest,” recovering the fastest, or doing things perfectly. It’s about what recovery often looks like when people are supported and nourished over time. People often tell me they’re afraid to read recovery stories. They worry they’ll see someone who was “worse than them,” or someone who recovered quickly, effortlessly, and now eats croissants in Par

Practical phrases that help—and comments to avoid—when supporting someone with an eating disorder. Guidance for parents, partners, and friends.

What a 2024 study shows — and what it doesn’t The study in brief Paper:   Cognitive Functions in Adolescent Girls with Anorexia Nervosa during Nutritional Rehabilitation Journal:   Nutrients  (2024) Participants:  36 hospitalised adolescent girls with anorexia nervosa, compared with 48 healthy peers Design:  Cognitive testing during acute malnutrition and again after partial nutritional rehabilitation The study explored whether severe malnutrition in anorexia nervosa impairs

Starting eating disorder or disordered eating support can feel daunting — especially if you’ve had unhelpful, rushed, or invalidating experiences in the past

Regular eating is one of the most effective ways to restore brain nutrition in eating disorder recovery. The brain has the highest energy demand of any organ and requires a consistent supply of glucose, amino acids, essential fats, vitamins, and minerals to function

Family-Based Treatment (FBT) is an evidence-based approach for treating eating disorders, particularly in children and adolescents. At The Eat Clinic in Canterbury, NZ, we provide professional FBT guidance that empowers families to actively support recovery while working alongside healthcare professionals. What is Family-Based Treatment (FBT)? FBT involves parents or caregivers in the treatment process to help restore healthy eating and address disordered behaviours. Key prin

Binge Eating Disorder (BED) is a common eating disorder characterised by recurring episodes of uncontrolled eating, often accompanied by feelings of shame or distress. At The Eat Clinic in Canterbury, NZ, we provide evidence-based BED treatment that addresses both the nutritional and psychological aspects of recovery. What is Binge Eating Disorder? BED involves: Recurrent episodes of consuming large amounts of food in a short period Feeling a loss of control during binges Emo

Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) is an eating disorder often misunderstood as picky eating. It involves extreme food avoidance or restriction that impacts nutrition and wellbeing. At The Eat Clinic in Canterbury, NZ, we provide evidence-based ARFID treatment for children, teens, and adults, tailored to individual needs. What is ARFID? ARFID is characterised by: Limited food variety due to sensory sensitivities, anxiety, or past experiences Avoidance of food g

Introduction Bulimia nervosa is a serious eating disorder characterised by cycles of binge eating and compensatory behaviours such as vomiting or excessive exercise. Recovery is possible with professional support. At The Eat Clinic in Canterbury, NZ, we provide evidence-based bulimia treatment focused on restoring health and wellbeing. What is Bulimia Nervosa? Bulimia involves repeated episodes of overeating followed by attempts to prevent weight gain. Unlike anorexia, indivi

Anorexia nervosa is more than just dieting. It involves: Restrictive eating Distorted body image Severe fear of weight gain If untreated, anorexia can lead to malnutrition, organ complications, and significant psychological distress. Early intervention improves outcomes. Why Specialist Treatment Matters Many people try to manage anorexia on their own or through generic advice—but anorexia requires specialised care because: Nutritional needs are complex and must be personalise

Book Online with The Eat Clinic If you or a loved one is struggling with an eating disorder, getting the right help quickly is essential. In New Zealand, support is available for anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, ARFID, and other disordered eating patterns. At The Eat Clinic , I provide personalised, professional care  and make it easy for you to book online . Why Early Support Matters Eating disorders affect both your physical and mental health. Early support can pre