We’re Not the Food Police! The Real Role of the Eating Disorder Registered Dietitian

Oftentimes, in my initial assessments with clients, I hear things like:

• “I was always too scared to see a dietitian.”

• “My last dietitian taught me about ‘good’ and ‘bad’ foods.”

• “My only knowledge of dietitians in from influencers on TikTok.”

• “I didn’t know I needed a dietitian for a mental health issue.”

• Etc etc etc…

If you are reading these statements and relating to them, this blog post will answer these questions (& more!). Keep reading for clarity on why a dietitian is crucial to the eating disorder support team.

It is understandable that there are many misconceptions about dietitians. In many specialties of dietetics, the more black-and-white, tactical approach may be the norm! People often forget that dietitians still have their distinct specialties, as would a physician (PCP versus GI, etc). Depending on the chosen specialty of your dietitian, your sessions and work together could look entirely different. Some dietitians don’t even accept clients for nutrition counseling - like a media dietitian or clinical dietitian in the acute care setting. The most important thing to note is that as anti-diet, eating disorder dietitians, you will never feel shamed, blamed, or judged in our office.

A dietitian specializing in eating disorders can support you in many ways beyond just talking about food. Here are just a few things we might work on together:

• We can work on meal planning to help take the stress out of eating. That might mean structured guidance for nutrition rehabilitation or simply figuring out what to eat when everything feels overwhelming.

• We’ll challenge harmful food rules and debunk misinformation to help you kick the guilt and feel confident in your food choices.

• We can explore intuitive eating AKA helping you trust your body's cues again and eat what you find satisfying.

• If exercise has been a complicated part of your journey, we can work on reframing its role in your life as joyful movement.

• Body image struggles will likely come up in session as well, as healing your relationship with food often goes hand in hand with healing your relationship with your body. In our diet culture, thin-obsessed society, it would be surprising for you NOT to have feelings about your body.

Most importantly, every session is tailored to YOU, so whether you need nutrition education, recovery-focused problem-solving, or just a space to vent, we’re here to support you in a way that feels safe and productive.

Working with a dietitian, especially one who takes an anti-diet, weight-inclusive approach, can be a game-changer in your recovery. At New Paths Nutrition, we’re here for you in all the ways a non-judgmental dietitian can be! This includes individualized support, nutrition education, and deconstructing (and then reconstructing) beliefs about food and your body. Whether you're navigating meal planning, rebuilding your relationship with food, or working on body image, you don’t have to do it alone.

Our sessions, whether virtual or in-person at our office in Charlotte, NC, are a safe, confidential space to realize your body trust again.

If you have any lingering questions or hesitations, don’t hesitate to reach out. Reminder, there’s no such thing as a silly question, and we’re always happy to help. If you're ready to schedule an appointment, use the contact form to reach out. If you'd like to talk to us before scheduling your first appointment, you can book a free 15-minute discovery call here.

Thanks for reading!