Episode 277: She Ate Sweets Every Day. So Why Did She Still Feel Out of Control? Kelsey’s Story

“It’s not that the food’s bringing me any emotions. It’s that I’m actually able to feel the emotions of the place that I’m at and the thing that I’m doing.”

How many people in your life actually know about your struggles with food? Chances are, not many. Today I’m talking with Kelsey, a Diet Culture Rebel client who spent years hiding her struggles with food behind the persona of someone who could happily eat the leftover fries or finish someone else’s plate. What people didn’t see was the guilt afterward, the restriction that followed, and the exhausting cycle of trying to control her food. 

We talk about the complicated ways food guilt and restriction can show up, including the pressure to eat “healthy,” the fear of certain foods, and the exhausting feeling that you have to keep track of everything you eat. Kelsey also shares what she’s learned about intuitive eating and how working with a dietitian has helped her approach food with more flexibility, curiosity, and trust.

What I love most about this conversation is getting to hear Kelsey describe what’s possible on the other side of feeling stuck. Her relationship with food isn’t perfect, and she’s not claiming that every difficult thought has disappeared. But things feel different now. There’s more neutrality, more enjoyment, and more room to actually be present for her life instead of constantly thinking about food. 

What You’ll Learn:

• How food guilt and restriction can become a cycle that feels difficult to break
• The ways diet culture can influence what we think “healthy eating” should look like
• Why intuitive eating can feel unfamiliar when you’ve spent years following food rules
• How working with a dietitian can support you in creating a different relationship with food
• What it can look like to move toward more neutrality and flexibility with eating
• Why healing your relationship with food doesn’t have to mean doing it perfectly

Kelsey’s story is such a beautiful reminder that healing your relationship with food can happen one step at a time, and that progress doesn’t have to look perfect. If you see yourself in her story, I hope this conversation gives you encouragement for what’s possible on the other side.

Resources:

• Learn more about working with a Diet Culture Rebel dietitian at DietCultureRebel.com/insurance
• Grab the Hunger & Fullness Scale Guide at DietCultureRebel.com/hungerfullnessscale and take your next step toward building trust with your body and food
• Connect with me over on Instagram at @diet.culture.rebel

Struggling with food, but not sure where to start?

You don’t have to feel 100% ready to get support. If you’re tired of obsessing over food or feeling stuck in the diet cycle, my team of Registered Dietitians is here to help. We offer one-on-one nutrition counseling—and we accept insurance! Spots are limited, so head to https://dietculturerebel.com/insurance to see if we’re covered in your state and learn how to get started.