The Full Plate Podcast with Abbie Attwood, MS

Emma Green joins us this week to talk about her diagnosis of autism as an adult and how it impacts her understanding of her eating disorder as a teen, as well as how healthism, ableism, and anti-fatness intersect. We can’t talk about disordered eating and eating disorders without acknowledging healthism and ableism, and this conversation brings in both Emma’s lived experience and a discussion on how to build inclusive, supportive spaces for neurodivergent folks. We discuss the connection between autism and disordered eating behaviors, and how common it is to receive a misdiagnosis. If you listened to the recent episode on OCD and eating disorders, this is a great continuation of the discussion of mental health conditions and their ties to the ED space. This was such a life-giving, healing conversation, and I so appreciate Emma’s voice on the matter and her willingness to share her personal experience. This is the kind of discussion I wish younger me would have heard, and I hope that it’s helpful for all of you, regardless of your lived experience. Tune in to hear more, including... What healthism is, and how it’s harming us Defining “health” The intersection between healthism, ableism, and diet culture  Weight stigma and health outcomes How healthism creates barriers to physical movement  Emma’s diagnosis of autism as an adult How autism can be mistaken for an eating disorder  Neurodivergence and disordered eating risk  Why “recovered” is a concept that requires fluidity and intersectionality  The difference between structured eating and disordered eating   Emma Green is a neurodivergent writer, editor and researcher. Her work aims to achieve social justice for people in all bodies by sharing science and lived experiences, and generating constructive conversations. Find her on Instagram @emmagphd.   Support the show: Enjoying this podcast? Please support the show on Patreon for bonus episodes, community engagement, and access to "Ask Abbie" at Patreon.com/fullplate Transcripts: If you’re looking for transcripts, you can find those on my website, www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/podcast  Social media: Find the show on Instagram: @fullplate.podcast Find Abbie on Instagram: @abbieattwoodwellness Group program: Looking for more support and concrete steps to take to heal your relationship with food and your body? Apply for Abbie's next 10-week group program: https://www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/group-coaching Group membership: Already been at this anti-diet culture thing for a while, but want community and continued learning? Apply for Abbie's monthly membership: https://www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/circle-monthly-group  Podcast Cover Photography by Anya McInroy Podcast Editing by Brian Walters This podcast is ad-free and support comes from our Patrons on Patreon: Patreon.com/fullplate This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit abbieattwoodwellness.substack.com/subscribe

This is free preview of a paywalled episode, which is available to our wonderful supporters on Patreon. To listen to the full episode, you can upgrade to paid on Patreon! This episode is an answer to a question submitted on Patreon from Andy, who asked: How can we approach meal planning without falling into old patterns? Every time I start to think about meal planning or meal prep, it triggers me, and reminds me of dieting. But as a parent, I know I’ll go nuts if I don’t have some kind of plan to get dinner ready. I’d love to be able to find the balance between planning meals and maintaining the flexibility I’ve built with food, and continue to work on. I’m so reluctant to slip back into old behaviors and that restrictive mindset, and I guess I’m just looking for insight from you. I’m assuming you’ve had clients navigating this! Thank you so much for everything. Abbie dives into so much in the answer, including: The difference between self-compassionate meal planning and self-controlling Ideas for making mealtime easy, enjoyable, and convenient Stepping into a calm and relaxed approach to meals How to release the diet culture mindset around "meal prep" How to know whether your approach to planning meals is embedded in sneaky food rules What we gain back when we create flexibility Whether structure is possible without falling into restriction   Support the show: Enjoying this podcast? Please support the show on Patreon for bonus episodes, community engagement, and access to "Ask Abbie" at Patreon.com/fullplate   Transcripts: If you’re looking for transcripts, you can find those on Abbie's website, www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/podcast    Social media: Find the show on Instagram: @fullplate.podcast Find Abbie on Instagram: @abbieattwoodwellness   Group program: Looking for more support and concrete steps to take to heal your relationship with food and your body? Apply for Abbie's next 10-week group program: https://www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/group-coaching   Group membership: Already been at this anti-diet culture thing for a while, but want community and continued learning? Apply for Abbie's monthly membership: https://www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/circle-monthly-group    Podcast Cover Photography by Anya McInroy Podcast Editing by Brian Walters This podcast is ad-free and support comes from our Patrons on Patreon: Patreon.com/fullplate This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit abbieattwoodwellness.substack.com/subscribe

The co-occurence of OCD and disordered eating is a topic we've wanted to cover for some time now. It was a big part of Abbie's lived experience, and something that comes up consistently with clients in her practice. It's a common overlap that isn't discussed enough, and when it is, it rarely comes through an anti-diet culture lens. This episode features guest Jenna Overbaugh, LPC, who specializes in OCD and anxiety. Together, Abbie and Jenna discuss the misconceptions, steriotypes, and assumptions that do a disservice to those with OCD, and unearth the truths about what it means to live with OCD. They also talk about why it's difficult to parse out ED thoughts and behaviors from intrusive thoughts and compulsions, and how to get support for one or both. Tune in to hear more about: What is OCD? How do we define obsessions and compulsions? What makes something a “disorder”? Signs that you may be struggling with OCD The difference between experiencing intrusive thoughts and having OCD Common misconceptions about having OCD Personality traits that tend to put someone at risk for certain mental health conditions When and how to receive help  Types of treatments available for OCD The difference between OCD and an eating disorder What happens when you have a co-occurring ED and OCD Breaking up with rituals and maladaptive behaviors Orthorexia and OCD Steps we can take to start challenging our intrusive thoughts   Jenna Overbaugh is a licensed professional counselor based in Wisconsin and has been working with people who have OCD and anxiety since 2008. Previously, she worked at world renowned facilities including Johns Hopkins Hospital and Rogers Memorial Hospital, where she treated some of the most debilitating cases of OCD and anxiety in the world.  She has contributed to several peer reviewed literature articles as well as spoken at national conferences on OCD, anxiety, hoarding, and related issues.  She is the host of the "All The Hard Things" podcast and the creator of her signature program "The OCD and Anxiety Recovery Blueprint". She’s also a mom to a 5 year old and has lived experience with OCD and anxiety.    Support the show: Enjoying this podcast? Please support the show on Patreon for bonus episodes, community engagement, and access to "Ask Abbie" at Patreon.com/fullplate   Transcripts: If you’re looking for transcripts, you can find those on Abbie's website, www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/podcast    Abbie's group program: Looking for more support and concrete steps to take to heal your relationship with food and your body? Apply for Abbie's next 10-week group program: https://www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/group-coaching   Abbie's group membership: Already been at this anti-diet culture thing for a while, but want community and continued learning? Apply for Abbie's monthly membership: https://www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/circle-monthly-group    Social media: Find the show on Instagram: @fullplate.podcast Find Abbie on Instagram: @abbieattwoodwellness   Podcast Cover Photography by Anya McInroy Podcast Editing by Brian Walters This podcast is ad-free and support comes from our Patrons on Patreon: Patreon.com/fullplate You can find Jenna’s free video mentioned here. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit abbieattwoodwellness.substack.com/subscribe

Cole Kazdin, author of What's Eating Us: Women, Food, and the Epidemic of Body Anxiety, joins us to explore, what it would mean to truly be free of disordered eating. Not just the behaviors -- but the constant mental chatter, the critical voice, and the restrictive thoughts. We ask the tough questions about whether full recovery possible, and how for much of her life, Cole wondered if freedom was ever possible, or if disordered eating is more of a chronic condition that ebbs and flows throughout life.  Tune in to hear more, including... What led Cole to write the book, why she wrote it at this point in her recovery, and what her goal was in doing it through the investigative journalism lens What it feels like to be in partial recovery Shocking statistics about eating disorders How ED funding and research compares to other health conditions Why disordered eating and body shame is rising Risk factors for eating disorders that go unnoticed  The imperative of community in healing / recovery, including Cole's experience and how we can use this in future ED research and treatment How Cole thinks about “ full recovery” now What we can all be doing to move forward towards more peace with food and our body   Cole Kazdin is a writer, Emmy Award winning television journalist, and author of What's Eating Us: Women, Food, and the Epidemic of Body Anxiety. She has written for The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Magazine, The Daily Beast, Cosmopolitan, and was a regular contributor to VICE. Kazdin has been featured on NPR as part of The Moth Radio Hour, and is a contributing author to the bestselling book, The Moth Presents All These Wonders: True Stories About Facing the Unknown. Cole is a graduate of Northwestern University and Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. She lives in Los Angeles.   Support the show: Enjoying this podcast? Please support the show on Patreon for bonus episodes, community engagement, and access to "Ask Abbie" at Patreon.com/fullplate   Transcripts: If you’re looking for transcripts, you can find those on my website, www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/podcast    Social media: Find the show on Instagram: @fullplate.podcast Find Abbie on Instagram: @abbieattwoodwellness   Group program: Looking for more support and concrete steps to take to heal your relationship with food and your body? Apply for Abbie's next 10-week group program: https://www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/group-coaching   Group membership: Already been at this anti-diet culture thing for a while, but want community and continued learning? Apply for Abbie's monthly membership: https://www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/circle-monthly-group    Podcast Cover Photography by Anya McInroy Podcast Editing by Brian Walters This podcast is ad-free and support comes from our Patrons on Patreon: Patreon.com/fullplate This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit abbieattwoodwellness.substack.com/subscribe

This is a free preview of a paid Q&A bonus episode, which is available on Patreon! Three listener questions are covered, all submitted by Patrons of the show. We're talking about what the science actually says about hydration (how much water do we REALLY need?), how eating fast food impacts our health, and whether we can engage in body checking without it being harmful to our body image. To listen to the FULL episode, upgrade to paid to support the show on Patreon! Here are the listener questions discussed on this episode: Fast Food: "What’s the actual research on fast food? I’ve lately been eating more fast food in an effort to normalize it after having restricted it my whole life. It has opened up a fun new world of menu items I’ve never tried, and has also made me appreciate the affordability and convenience during extremely busy times at work. My positive experience has me wondering…is there actually good research on the health effects of frequent fast food consumption, or are any reported negative effects (of which it seems there are many, though I am skeptical!) generally a correlation not causation?" Body Checking: "I have a question about body checking: when is body checking unkind, and when is it OK to normalize to ourselves what our bodies look and feel like?" Hydration: "What is the actual science behind the amount water we should consume or is that a diet culture myth?" This was an awesome bunch of questions, and we'll be doing another one of these episodes soon. Thank you so much to those subscribing on Patreon. You make this podcast possible!   Support the show: Enjoying this podcast? Please support the show on Patreon for bonus episodes, community engagement, and access to "Ask Abbie" at Patreon.com/fullplate   Transcripts: If you’re looking for transcripts, you can find those on my website, www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/podcast    Social media: Find the show on Instagram: @fullplate.podcast Find Abbie on Instagram: @abbieattwoodwellness   Group program: Looking for more support and concrete steps to take to heal your relationship with food and your body? Apply for Abbie's next 10-week group program: https://www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/group-coaching   Group membership: Already been at this anti-diet culture thing for a while, but want community and continued learning? Apply for Abbie's monthly membership: https://www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/circle-monthly-group    Podcast Cover Photography by Anya McInroy Podcast Editing by Brian Walters This podcast is ad-free and support comes from our Patrons on Patreon: Patreon.com/fullplate     This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit abbieattwoodwellness.substack.com/subscribe

Dr. Diana Gordon, expert in mental health and debunking diet and wellness misinformation, joins Abbie Attwood in a conversation about approaching mental health in a sea of misinformation. They discuss anxiety, depression, intuitive eating, diet culture, health anxiety, true self-care, and the truth about exercise and mental health.

I can't think of a better conversation through which to enter the new year. We're revisiting a fan-favorite with Chrissy King, author of "The Body Liberation Project", who joins the pod to talk about her journey through and away from the harms of diet and fitness culture. This is a conversation about loving ourselves, reclaiming our power and purpose in this world, and how to navigate the oppressive systems that continue to exist despite our personal healing.  Topics discussed: Chrissy's experience with dieting and her body image growing up Getting wrapped up in fitness culture and the pursuit of thinness The connection between racism, the patriarchy, the beauty standard, and diet culture Macro counting and psychological distress The difference between body positivity and body liberation Chrissy's rock bottom moment with dieting, and how she moved forward The impact of restriction and deprivation on our mental, emotional, and physical health How diet culture effects our relationships Processing grief in healing out relationship with our body Cultivating joy in our lives without the distraction of dieting Why self-love isn't enough  Lack of inclusivity and diversity in wellness culture Chrissy's advice for taking one small step towards body liberation   About Chrissy: Chrissy King is a writer, speaker, educator, and former strength coach with a passion for creating a diverse and inclusive wellness industry.  She empowers individuals to stop shrinking, start taking up space, and use their energy to create their specific magic in the world. With degrees in Social Welfare and Justice and Sociology from Marquette University, Chrissy merges her passion for fitness to inspire members of the wellness industry to create spaces that allow individuals from all backgrounds to seen feel, welcomed, affirmed, and celebrated. Find Chrissy on IG: @iamchrissyking and order Chrissy's book: https://chrissyking.com/book/   Support the show: Enjoying this podcast? Please support the show on Patreon for bonus episodes, community engagement, and access to "Ask Abbie" at Patreon.com/fullplate   Transcripts: If you’re looking for transcripts, you can find those on my website, www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/podcast    Social media: Find the show on Instagram: @fullplate.podcast Find Abbie on Instagram: @abbieattwoodwellness   Group program: Looking for more support and concrete steps to take to heal your relationship with food and your body? Apply for Abbie's next 10-week group program: https://www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/group-coaching   Group membership: Already been at this anti-diet culture thing for a while, but want community and continued learning? Apply for Abbie's monthly membership: https://www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/circle-monthly-group    Podcast Cover Photography by Anya McInroy Podcast Editing by Brian Walters This podcast is ad-free and support comes from our Patrons on Patreon: Patreon.com/fullplate This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit abbieattwoodwellness.substack.com/subscribe

As we close out this year, we are revisiting a fan-favorite and incredibly healing conversation with Dr. Anita Johnston. Listen in as we discuss the magic of metaphors and story-telling in ED recovery, and how we can return home to our authentic selves to find lasting freedom from food restriction and body dissatisfaction. Abbie and Anita discuss why highly intuitive and deeply feeling people tend to be most vulnerable to eating disorders, and how to use those gifts as superpowers. Topics covered: How being highly sensitive impacts disordered eating and healing The safety and security that EDs can provide Anita's childhood in Guam and how that shaped her experience with food, body, and herself Our illusion of control in having an eating disorder Storytelling and metaphor in ED treatment The importance of language in recovery and healing  Disordered eating thoughts and behaviors as a coping mechanism and distraction Following our joy and authenticity to freedom from diet culture Emotional literacy and boundaries Why those who suffer from EDs are the ones that the world needs most Mothering energy versus fathering energy Reparenting ourselves The most essential tools for healing   About Dr. Anita Johnston: Dr. Anita Johnston, Ph.D., CEDS is a clinical psychologist and certified eating disorder specialist and supervisor, working in the field of women’s issues and eating disorders for over 35 years. She is the author of the best selling book, Eating in the Light of the Moon and co-creator of the Light of the Moon Cafe, a series of online interactive courses and women’s support circles, and Soul Hunger workshops. She is currently the Clinical Director of Ai Pono Hawaii eating disorder programs with out-patient programs on Oahu and the Big Island of Hawaii, and an ocean-front residential program on Maui. Find Anita on Instagram: @dranitajohnston   Find the show on Instagram: @fullplate.podcast Find Abbie on Instagram: @abbieattwoodwellness Abbie’s website: www.abbieattwoodwellness.com   Support the show: Enjoying this podcast? Please support the show on Patreon for bonus episodes, community engagement, and access to "Ask Abbie" at Patreon.com/fullplate   Transcripts: If you’re looking for transcripts, you can find those on Abbie's website, www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/podcast    Social media: Find the show on Instagram: @fullplate.podcast Find Abbie on Instagram: @abbieattwoodwellness   Group program: Looking for more support and concrete steps to take to heal your relationship with food and your body? Apply for Abbie's next 10-week group program: https://www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/group-coaching   Group membership: Already been at this anti-diet culture thing for a while, but want community and continued learning? Apply for Abbie's monthly membership: https://www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/circle-monthly-group    Podcast Cover Photography by Anya McInroy Podcast Editing by Brian Walters This podcast is ad-free and support comes from our Patrons on Patreon: Patreon.com/fullplate   This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit abbieattwoodwellness.substack.com/subscribe

I can't wait for you to hear this episode, because I'm joined by Lex, a client I've worked with for many years now. She is incredibly special to me. We began working together when she was in high school struggling with an eating disorder and unable to participate in the sport she loves, and now she's a college athlete -- working through the nuances of recovery and reclaiming her relationship with food and running.  Eating disorders can show up in a multitude of ways in athletes. From how a body “should” look if we play a certain sport, to how we “should” eat for performance, to the inevitable comparison trap of teammates and competitors. Lex shares her story about developing an ED, how that was impacted by running and family dynamics, how she fought for what she needed in her treatment team, and so much more. Whether you’re a parent, parent of a teen, or athlete, you’ll get so much out of this episode. Topics covered include... Food scarcity in childhood Developing an eating disorder in high school Why runners are so vulnerable to disordered eating behaviors The pressure on female athletes to have certain body types Family dynamics and body image How coaches can cause harm coaches Finding a safe community and space to recover Fear mongering around carbs Trauma in traditional ED treatment Speaking up for what is really needed from a treatment team Working through the nuances of recovery and body image How romantic partners impact ED recovery Lex's tips for other athletes who are struggling The next frontier of recovery for Lex   Support the show: Enjoying this podcast? Please support the show on Patreon for bonus episodes, community engagement, and access to "Ask Abbie" at Patreon.com/fullplate Transcripts: If you’re looking for transcripts, you can find those on my website, www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/podcast    Social media: Find the show on Instagram: @fullplate.podcast Find Abbie on Instagram: @abbieattwoodwellness   Group program: Looking for more support and concrete steps to take to heal your relationship with food and your body? Apply for Abbie's next 10-week group program: https://www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/group-coaching Group membership: Already been at this anti-diet culture thing for a while, but want community and continued learning? Apply for Abbie's monthly membership: https://www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/circle-monthly-group    Podcast Cover Photography by Anya McInroy Podcast Editing by Brian Walters This podcast is ad-free and support comes from our Patrons on Patreon: Patreon.com/fullplate     This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit abbieattwoodwellness.substack.com/subscribe

Anjali Prasertong joins me on this week’s episode to explore what it means to approach nutrition through the lens of culture, antiracism, and food equity. Tune in as Anjali helps us think through social justice in food systems, debunk white-washed fantasies of the “perfect” diet, and examine how cultural appropriation shows up in the culinary world. Topics discussed include… Cultural influences on our relationship with food Talking to kids about culture and violence  Popular chefs and culinary appropriation  The “ick” of telling people how to eat as a dietitian The fantasy of the Mediterranean Diet MyPlate and dairy Veganism and diet culture  Racism in nutrition recommendations   Anjali’s approach to food now in the context of anti-racism and food systems Making family meals easier  About Anjali:  Anjali is a writer and registered dietitian who focuses on racial equity, public health, and food systems. For several years, she was a contributing editor to the award-winning food website The Kitchn. Her work has appeared in TIME.com, The Chicago Tribune, Yahoo, and HuffPost, and I contributed to The Kitchn Cookbook – a James Beard Award winner – and Food52's Simply Genius. Her path has been circuitous, but it has always included food. She taught English in a small city in Central Japan, and wrote weekly reviews of Japanese candy. She was a personal chef for a family in Malibu. She coached BIPOC food entrepreneurs in New Orleans, and ran a program that helped corner stores in low-income neighborhoods sell more fruits and vegetables. She worked with chef Tunde Wey on a social experiment that charged white diners almost three times more than diners of color for the same lunch. At one point she studied global food security from an old convent in Italy, and ate so much pasta. She also has an undergraduate degree in film, which was perfectly useless when she returned to school to become a dietitian. She brings a wide-ranging and nonlinear experience to her perspective on food and nutrition, and to her writing. Anjali currently lives in Denver, Colorado with her husband and two children. Anjali's Substack: https://anjaliruth.substack.com/  Support the show: Enjoying this podcast? Please support the show on Patreon for bonus episodes, community engagement, and access to "Ask Abbie" at Patreon.com/fullplate Transcripts: If you’re looking for transcripts, you can find those on my website, www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/podcast  Social media: Find the show on Instagram: @fullplate.podcast Find Abbie on Instagram: @abbieattwoodwellness   Group program: Looking for more support and concrete steps to take to heal your relationship with food and your body? Apply for Abbie's next 10-week group program: https://www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/group-coaching   Group membership: Already been at this anti-diet culture thing for a while, but want community and continued learning? Apply for Abbie's monthly membership: https://www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/circle-monthly-group    Podcast Cover Photography by Anya McInroy Podcast Editing by Brian Walters This podcast is ad-free and support comes from our Patrons on Patreon: Patreon.com/fullplate This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit abbieattwoodwellness.substack.com/subscribe