Healing Your Relationship with Food | Eating Disorder Awareness with Nutritionist Hannah Cartwright

takeaways

1. Hannah Cartwright distinguishes disordered eating from clinically diagnosed eating disorders, explaining that disordered eating patterns can be less frequent or severe but are still worth reaching out about early for a better chance at recovery.

2. The conversation covers the physical consequences discussed by Hannah, including effects on gut health, hormones and the menstrual cycle, bone health, brain and cognitive function, and how reintroducing foods can cause temporary digestive discomfort after restriction.

3. Body image, perfectionism, trauma, genetics, control and co-occurring conditions such as OCD, anxiety, ADHD and autism were discussed as factors, alongside pressures from diet culture, described as a £60 billion industry, and social media.

4. Emily shares a personal story from her ballet training where a teacher publicly praised her weight loss, and both discuss how well-meaning praise for weight loss can reinforce unhealthy cycles.

5. Concerns were raised about social media, Ozempic-driven weight-loss trends, and unqualified advice, citing a statistic that less than 2% of nutrition information on TikTok is accurate.

6. Hannah outlines her recovery-focused approach: gradual exposure to fear foods, working alongside a therapist, using blood tests and GP contact, regular eating patterns, myth-busting around fats and calories, and eventually intuitive eating.

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