Permission to Eat: Healing Disordered Eating

Today we’re talking about something so many women carry quietly: disordered eating and body image stuff. We get honest about our own histories (yep, both ends of the spectrum) and what actually helped us move toward peace—without shame, perfection, or “just try harder” nonsense.

In this episode, we talk about:

• How eating disorders aren’t just anorexia and bulimia—there’s a whole range of disordered eating behaviors

• Patti’s experience with control, trauma, food hiding, bingeing, and the shame spiral

• Jan’s experience with thinness pressure, dance culture, and bingeing/purging without even knowing what it was called

• Why food often becomes a coping tool (just like alcohol, drugs, work, shopping… you get it)

• How body dysmorphia messes with what we think we see in the mirror

• The sneaky messages we absorb from family, culture, and “well-meaning” comments

• Why therapy matters (because food is rarely the real issue)

• The power of permission: eating carbs, adding snacks, and even having dessert on purpose

If you’re struggling, here’s what we encourage:

• Consider therapy with someone who understands trauma + body image

• Work with a registered dietitian/nutritionist who doesn’t shame bodies (HAES-aligned can be a great fit)

• Start small with body neutrality: “I’m not broken” is a powerful first step

Review all resources here.

*Information shared on this podcast is not medical advice. If you have a concern about your physical or mental health, please seek support from a professional.