Author: frivvy89
Eating more ultra-processed foods raised the chances of health problems in 32 out of 45 studies. | Photo Credit: Freepik Alarming new study links ‘Ultra-Processed Foods’ to a multitude of health concerns A recent study has revealed a concerning link between ultra-processed foods (UPFs) and a wide range of health problems. This study, considered the world’s largest review, suggests that consuming UPFs can link to a staggering 32 harmful health effects including increased risk of developing serious conditions like heart disease, cancer, type 2 diabetes, and even mental health issues. This comes at a time when global consumption of UPFs,…
I have been a therapist, and working in the field of eating disorders, since the early 2000s. During this time, I have learned so much about myself and about others; spending a lot of time listening, learning, unlearning, and trying to understand. I am grateful for this journey, and learning, and owe a lot of my success in life (and in my career) to curiosity. I have come to believe that curiosity is one of the most integral components to the therapy process (for providers and for patients). Curiosity is what sparks our thinking process and creates needed space to…
By Jennifer Kreatsoulas, PhD, C-IAYT, FounderYou look healthy. I can remember when these words would send me through the roof, feeling so triggered and upset. I know I am not the only one who would have this reaction. There is not a single therapy group for eating disorder patients that I have participated in where people are not afraid of or triggered by the word “healthy.” This is especially true early in the journey when the decision to get well is both terrifying and a necessity. Although we commit to health and desire its benefits, it can be painfully difficult—horrifying…
Lauren Gaffney developed an eating disorder in her early teens and was diagnosed with anorexia nervosa while in transition year. Now 26, she is being seen by her GP and a dietician, but struggling to get the help she says she needs because her Body Mass Index (BMI) is too low. “I’m unwell, I need support, but yet I’m not at a heavy enough position in order to receive support. Our health professionals will only engage with me if I’m a certain BMI,” she said. Experts often describe an eating disorder as a mental illness with physical symptoms. Patients in…
I remember what it was like to feel so incredibly alone.The first time I left eating disorder treatment, I was terrified. For the last six months of my life in residential, partial hospitalization, and intensive outpatient treatment, my days had been planned for me. While the rest of the world was isolated in their homes – it was the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic – I had a group of peers and a team of treatment center staff helping me feel connected and supported. For all the work that goes into titrating folks down from a higher level of care,…
In recent years, doctors and scientists have studied the gut with renewed interest. Research has revealed that the digestive system is more than just a processing center for the food we eat, and that it has a much bigger effect on our overall health than previously thought. Issues as varied as stubborn weight gain and Parkinson’s disease can be linked to the gut, which means that understanding our digestive system — and, by extension, how it thrives or suffers based on what we eat — is crucial. In a new documentary, Hack Your Health: The Secrets of Your Gut, German doctor…
An F may mean failure in school, but the letter earns high marks in your diet. The two biggest dietary Fs — fiber and fermented foods — are top priorities to help maintain healthy digestion, and they potentially offer much more. How can you fit these nutrients into meals? Can this help your overall health as well as gut health? Fiber, fermented foods, and the gut microbiome The gut microbiome is a composed of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microorganisms living in the colon (large intestine). What you eat, the air you breathe, where you live, and many other factors…
The tennis legend hopes to “quiet the voices” that influence her thoughts about food. Trailblazing tennis legend Billie Jean King has never shied away from a challenge, and she recently shared up-close-and-personal insights about her struggle with food in a revealing new interview. “I have an eating disorder. I’m a binge eater,” King told Julia Louis-Dreyfus in a conversation for her podcast Wiser Than Me, a production of Lemonada Media. “Every morning I wake up, I tell myself, ‘I have an eating disorder.’ I still go to therapy. I still think about it.” As we know, King is far from…
Every year on May 6th, people worldwide observe International No Diet Day, a day dedicated to promoting body acceptance and raising awareness about the harmful effects of diet culture. Why is a day like this necessary? In a society where the pursuit of ideal body image is often celebrated and diet culture has been deeply engraved into our society, spread through various mediums such as social media, advertising, social norms, and even healthcare practices, International No Diet Day serves as a reminder of the importance of embracing diverse body shapes and sizes. Dieting takes a significant toll on individuals’ psychological well-being.…
In addition to going to therapy for her eating disorder, the tennis legend said she’s tried the popular weight loss injectionsSarah Stier/Getty Billie Jean King in 2023Billie Jean King is opening up about using weight loss injections to help “quiet the noise” of her eating disorder.The tennis legend, 80, appeared on the April 24 episode of Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ podcast Wiser Than Me, where she discussed her decision to try the popular weight loss aid.“I’m a binge eater. Every morning I wake up, I tell myself I have an eating disorder. I still go to therapy. I still think about it,”…