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A Chizora Guide to Healing & Understanding
Hello Chizora family! This is my first post within your community and I want to talk about something that many of us see, but may not always be able to name: disordered eating.
This isn’t necessarily a clinical diagnosis; it can be subtle, and can harm confidence, wellbeing, and joy. So let’s explore what this looks like, how it’s different from an eating disorder (I will cover eating disorders in another post), and what we can do to support young people, including ourselves, to heal, feel strong, and rise above the pressure.
What is Disordered Eating?
Disordered eating is a term used to describe a range of attitudes, thoughts, or behaviours around food that feel out of alignment. These may include:
Skipping meals because of guilt or a “bad day”
Feeling anxious around food or certain ingredients
Cutting out whole groups of food without a health reason
Obsession over “clean” eating, calorie counting, or body shape
Overexercising to compensate for eating
These behaviours aren’t part of a formal diagnosis, but they can reduce energy, body trust, mood, concentration, and even impact growth (especially in teens!).
Disordered Eating vs Eating Disorders: What’s the Difference?
One of the most reassuring things to know is that not all disordered eating becomes an eating disorder. But knowing the differences helps us see when someone needs extra support.
Let’s take a look at the main differences between Disordered Eating and an Eating Disorder here:
Disordered Eating vs Eating Disorder
Disordered Eating
Feelings of guilt, shame or worry around food
Fluctuating behaviours, often hidden or inconsistent
May or may not have severe physical health impacts yet
More common, less visible; sometimes seen as “just being picky” or “trying to be healthy”
High risk of physical & mental health consequences; often requires professional treatment
Recognised in mental health/medical settings; more intense support required
Why Young People Are Especially Affected
Chizora community you’re growing, changing, pushing into new territories. It’s a beautiful time, but it comes with pressure:
Social media & comparison overload
Messages from friends, school, sport, or dance about “ideal” bodies
Desire for control in other parts of life being expressed through food or appearance
Changing bodies, fluctuating moods, and sometimes physical growth that doesn’t always feel “ideal”
These things can quietly make food, rest, and body-image feel overwhelming.
How to Spot the Early Signs (Especially When They’re Subtle)
You don’t need to see dramatic weight loss to know something’s off. Watch for things like:
Avoiding going out with friends because of food/drink
Feeling intense guilt, shame, or anxiety after eating certain foods
Very strict rules around food, “good vs bad” food, or “clean” vs “junk”, especially changing over time
Obsession over calories, macros, or constant calorie-tracking
Exercising not for enjoyment, but to “earn” food or punish “bad eating”
What You Can Do
I believe every young person deserves to feel confident, safe, and at home in their body. Here are ways you can support healing and confidence (for yourself or someone you care about):
Talk with kindness, not judgement Ask how they’re feeling. Invite conversation. Share vulnerability, sometimes your story of body-image or food messiness helps more than advice.
Language matters Avoid “good vs bad” food talk. No “you can’t eat that if you want to lose weight” or “you must eat this to be healthy.” Embrace a nourishment mindset, rather than restriction, focusing on the incredible array of essential nutrients found in food that are essential for health and wellbeing.
Celebrate all kinds of wins Did they try something new? Eat without stressing? Rest instead of pushing hard at the gym? These are all super important victories!
Encourage professional help if needed If disordered eating behaviours are frequent, cause distress, hurt physical health, or block joy and daily life, then talking with a nutritionist, or trusted healthcare provider is a positive move forward, don’t be afraid to reach out.
Build body trust & self-compassion Help them reconnect with what their body truly wants, rather than what they think they should be doing! The body loves rest, movement, pleasure and nourishment. Embracing mindfulness, gratitude, and what it means to listen to hunger, fullness, and energy can all form part of a powerful process of healing and restoring alignment.
A Message from me…
You belong. Your worth is not measured by what you eat, your shape, or how well you “stick” to an eating or exercise regime. Remember the beauty that you naturally are, just by being you!
Dr Laura Holland Phd
Visit my website to get in touch with me lovebeu.com
