What Are the Signs of Disordered Eating?

Disordered eating lies on the spectrum between what may be considered normative eating and a severe eating disorder. It can manifest in various ways, from overly restrictive eating to constant emotional eating, and sometimes includes a preoccupation with food that begins to feel overwhelming. Understanding these signs is vital for recognizing when your relationship with food may require healing and attention. At Nutritious Thoughts, we approach disordered eating with compassion, creating a nurturing, body-inclusive space where you can explore your behaviors and find balance in nourishment and self-care.

What Is a Disordered Eating Pattern Called?

Disordered eating is an umbrella term for behaviors that may not meet the criteria for a full eating disorder, but still negatively impact your health and well-being. These behaviors may include restrictive eating, emotional eating, compensatory behaviors, and binge eating. Restrictive eating occurs when someone limits their food intake or types of food. Emotional eating often involves using food as a frequent way to deal with feelings of stress, sadness, boredom, or even excitement followed by guilt or shame.

Compensatory behaviors, such as over-exercising, purging via self-induced vomiting, laxative abuse, or fasting to “make up” for eating, can further damage both physical and emotional health. Lastly, binge eating is marked by consuming large amounts of food in a short time and can often be accompanied by feelings of loss of control or distress. While these behaviors may not meet the diagnostic criteria for an eating disorder like anorexia, bulimia, or binge eating, they are still serious and can cause harm over time. Disordered eating patterns often lead to a strained relationship with food and can create long-lasting effects on one’s emotional and physical health.

How to Recover from Disordered Eating

Recovering from disordered eating is a journey that often benefits from self-awareness, professional support, and a commitment to healing. The first step is recognizing that your eating behaviors may be causing harm, which can be difficult when these patterns have become normalized, and maybe feel supportive in your day-to-day. From there, seeking the right support is crucial.

Working with a registered dietitian and therapist specializing in eating disorders can help you unpack the underlying causes of your eating behaviors and rebuild a healthy, balanced relationship with food. This support can help address restrictive tendencies, emotional eating cycles, and compensatory behaviors.

In recovery, it’s important to challenge harmful thoughts around food and body image. Many disordered eating patterns are rooted in deeply ingrained beliefs about food being “good” or “bad,” “healthy” or “unhealthy,” or that you must compensate for your intake. By learning to get curious about, question, and replace these thoughts, you can move toward a more compassionate, flexible mindset. Recovery also involves practicing self-compassion. Recognizing that healing is not linear and that setbacks are a natural part of the process. Letting go of compensatory behaviors, such as excessive exercise or purging, can be supportive in restoring a sense of balance. You deserve to eat without feeling the need to compensate.

How Are Eating Disorders Treated in Therapy?

Therapists often address eating disorders using evidence-based approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Family-Based Therapy (FBT). CBT helps clients identify and challenge negative thoughts around food and body image, replacing harmful beliefs with healthier, more balanced perspectives. DBT, on the other hand, focuses on emotional regulation and distress tolerance, which is crucial for individuals who turn to food as a way to manage overwhelming emotions. FBT, especially for adolescents, involves the whole family in the healing process, creating a supportive environment for recovery.

However, while therapy is key in treating the emotional aspects of eating disorders, the role of registered dietitians in nutrition counseling is just as important. At Nutritious Thoughts, we combine nutrition counseling, education, and support with a focus on the medical and psychological aspects of eating disorders. The goal of nutrition counseling in this context is nutritional rehabilitation—helping clients restore balanced eating patterns, reduce harmful behaviors, and develop a positive relationship with food and their bodies.

Our Registered Dietitians Collaborate Closely with Clients to Create Personalized Nutrition Recommendations.

These recommendations are designed to meet the individual’s specific needs, whether that’s minimizing disordered eating patterns, addressing compensatory behaviors, or working towards eradicating the eating disorder entirely. Nutritional counseling provides education, tools, and compassionate guidance to help clients achieve adequate, varied nutrition while building a healthier connection with food. The focus isn’t just on food itself, but also on hydration, movement, and understanding the psychological impact of disordered eating patterns.

Nutrition counseling is incredibly effective when paired with other treatment modalities like mental health therapy and medical care. The bio-psycho-social approach, where dietitians, therapists, and doctors work together, ensures that all aspects of the client’s well-being are addressed. This collaboration increases the likelihood of a successful recovery. At Nutritious Thoughts, we are committed to supporting you every step of the way on your journey to wellness. Healing from disordered eating can feel challenging, but with the right support system, progress is not only possible but achievable.

How to Find a Therapist That Specializes in Eating Disorders

Finding the right nutritional therapist is a critical step in your recovery journey. Not every therapist is equipped to treat eating disorders or disordered eating, so it’s essential to find someone who specializes in this area. Start by looking for therapists or dietitians who have specific experience working with eating disorders and use an evidence-based approach. Nutritious Thoughts offers specialized care from dietitians who understand the complexities of disordered eating and offer the support needed for recovery. It’s also important to seek out professionals who align with a Health at Every Size (HAES) approach or weight-inclusive approach.

This ensures that your care won’t focus on weight, but rather on healing your relationship with food and improving your overall well-being. Look for a therapist or dietitian who values building trust and creating a compassionate space where you can feel safe and supported. Lastly, consider working with a multidisciplinary team. Eating disorder recovery often involves collaboration between dietitians, therapists, and medical professionals. At Nutritious Thoughts, we provide comprehensive care, working together to support all aspects of your health and recovery. Trust your instincts—if a therapist or a dietitian doesn’t feel like the right fit, it’s okay to continue searching until you find someone who truly understands and can support your unique needs.

Healing is Possible

Disordered eating patterns, such as restrictive eating, emotional eating, and compensatory behaviors, can have lasting impacts on both your physical and mental health. But with the right support, healing is absolutely possible. Therapy, combined with self-compassion and professional guidance, can help you rebuild trust in your body, foster a positive relationship with food, and ultimately find balance in your life.

At Nutritious Thoughts, our team of registered dietitians is here to walk alongside you on your journey to recovery. We take a body-inclusive, HAES-aligned approach that focuses on holistic healing, without shame or judgment. Whether you’re struggling with disordered eating patterns or a diagnosed eating disorder, we are committed to helping you find the nourishment and balance that you deserve.

Start Your Healing Journey with Compassionate Nutrition Counseling in Asheville, Cary & Across NC

At Nutritious Thoughts, we understand that nutrition counseling is not just about what you eat—it’s about fostering a balanced and supportive relationship with food, your body, and your overall well-being. Whether you’re recovering from disordered eating, managing a medical condition, or simply seeking to improve your connection with nourishment, we are here to walk beside you. Our team of compassionate Registered Dietitians offers personalized care through in-person sessions in Asheville, Hendersonville, Cary/Raleigh, NC, as well as virtual options, ensuring that you can access the support you need no matter where you are. Together, we can create a path to true nourishment that honors your body and its unique needs.

• Contact us at (828) 333-0096 or email us at info@nutritious-thoughts.com
• Tell us more about yourself
• Let’s begin your journey to a healthier, more empowered relationship with food and self-care.

Expanded Wellness Services at Nutritious Thoughts

At Nutritious Thoughts, our care extends beyond one-on-one counseling—we actively engage with communities through our Community Wellness & Education initiatives. We provide nutrition counseling, interactive workshops, and informative presentations directly to schools, businesses, and recovery centers, bringing essential wellness tools right where they’re needed most. Whether delivered on-site or virtually, our services are customized to fit the specific needs of your community. Reach out to us for more details on how we can support your wellness goals and to learn about our rates.