Parenting Teenagers Untangled - Understand and Talk to Your Teenager Preventing our kids from developing eating disorders.
Whatever food fears we've inherited, or learned, will be passed on to our kids unless we understand and challenge our beliefs, according to food psychologist, Dr Anna Colton.
As she rightly points out, fear-mongering about killer bars or toxic foods is way more dangerous, long-term, than the food itself.
In this episode we talk openly about my own struggles with my family's attitude to food, and Dr Colton explains in detail why it's way better to prevent our kids developing issues than it is to deal with the terrifying results of an eating disorder.
As she says: 'Eating disorders really do kill.'
She wants to help us parents raise a generation that trusts their bodies and enjoys food without guilt, fear or shame.
In this episode we talk about how to:
- Recognize early signs of disordered eating
- Speak neutrally about food and body image
- Protect your children from harmful diet culture messaging
- Understand the complex factors behind eating disorders
- Create a supportive home environment that promotes healthy eating habits
- The shocking study that proved anorexia is cause by weight loss.
Whether you're parenting teens, tweens, or younger children, this episode offers practical strategies to help your kids develop a positive relationship with food and their bodies. Dr. Colton's expert advice will empower you to break generational cycles of unhealthy attitudes about eating and self-image.
Dr Anna Colton
https://www.dranna.co.uk
https://www.instagram.com/the_food_psychologist/
BOOKS:
- How to Talk to Children about Food by Dr Anna Colton
- Anorexia and Other Eating Disorders: How to Help Your Child Eat Well and be Well by Eva Musby
- Good Girl by Hadley Freeman
EPISODES:
Body image:
https://www.teenagersuntangled.com/body-image-and-chores-helping-teenagers-to-develop-a-positive-body-image-also-getting-your-teena/
Healthy Eating:
Bigorexia:
https://www.teenagersuntangled.com/feeding-your-teen-control-issues-and-bigorexia/
Does my teen need to lose weight:
https://www.teenagersuntangled.com/diet-does-my-teen-need-to-lose-weight-how-to-navigate-diet-culture-with-elyse-resch/
Eating Disorders:
https://www.teenagersuntangled.com/eating-disorders-an-interview-with-beat-representative-umairah-malik-what-we-parents-need-to-know/
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Please don't hesitate to seek the advice of a specialist if you're not coping. There's no shame in reaching out for support. When you look after yourself your entire family benefits.
My email is teenagersuntangled@gmail.com
My website has a blog, searchable episodes, and ways to contact me:
www.teenagersuntangled.com
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You can reach Susie at www.amindful-life.co.uk