Eating Mindfully

Eating Disorders

Do You Have to Fast to Be Faithful?

Alexis Conason Psy.D. on April 15, 2022

Fasting holidays can be tough for people in eating disorder recovery. Here's how to observe the holidays without compromising your recovery.

Fasting holidays can be tough for people in eating disorder recovery. Here's how to observe the holidays without compromising your recovery.

Anorexia Nervosa

Should Weight Be a Factor in Diagnosing Anorexia Nervosa?

Alexis Conason Psy.D. on May 6, 2021

"Atypical anorexia" or "higher weight anorexia" is far more common than low-weight anorexia. Yet, people with AAN are less likely to get treatment. Is this weight bias?

"Atypical anorexia" or "higher weight anorexia" is far more common than low-weight anorexia. Yet, people with AAN are less likely to get treatment. Is this weight bias?

Relationships

What Does It Really Mean to Love Your Body?

Alexis Conason Psy.D. on April 21, 2021

We are often told to "love our body," yet this may feel impossible. But what if loving your body had nothing to do with what your body looked like?

We are often told to "love our body," yet this may feel impossible. But what if loving your body had nothing to do with what your body looked like?

Relationships

Five Tips for Single People

Alexis Conason Psy.D. on February 11, 2021

This has been a particularly difficult year for single folks. Here are five tips to feel your best on Valentine's Day and beyond.

This has been a particularly difficult year for single folks. Here are five tips to feel your best on Valentine's Day and beyond.

Diet

Congratulations, You Survived 2020!

Alexis Conason Psy.D. on December 30, 2020

Instead of focusing on becoming our "best selves" in 2021, let's celebrate the incredible ways we survived 2020.

Instead of focusing on becoming our "best selves" in 2021, let's celebrate the incredible ways we survived 2020.

Gender

Eating Disorders in Gender-Expansive Individuals

Alexis Conason Psy.D. on December 22, 2020

A new study is one of the first to examine eating disorders in gender-expansive populations. This is an important step in making eating disorder treatment more inclusive.

A new study is one of the first to examine eating disorders in gender-expansive populations. This is an important step in making eating disorder treatment more inclusive.

Eating Disorders

Eating Disorder Treatment May Be Failing Black Women

Alexis Conason Psy.D. on September 23, 2020

New research sheds light on bias in research and treatment.

New research sheds light on bias in research and treatment.

Meditation

You Are Enough

Alexis Conason Psy.D. on July 23, 2020

We live in a culture that convinces us we are broken. Self-compassion can help you see the truth more clearly—that you are enough.

We live in a culture that convinces us we are broken. Self-compassion can help you see the truth more clearly—that you are enough.

Diet

Why Do We Say "Diet Culture" Instead of "the Patriarchy?"

Alexis Conason Psy.D. on July 15, 2020

When we talk about "diet culture," are we really talking about the patriarchy? If so, why don’t we just say so?

When we talk about "diet culture," are we really talking about the patriarchy? If so, why don’t we just say so?

Body Image

3 Ways to Improve Your Relationship With Food During COVID

Alexis Conason Psy.D. on May 20, 2020

Many are struggling with their relationship with food and body image during quarantine. Here are a few tips to help you through this difficult time.

Many are struggling with their relationship with food and body image during quarantine. Here are a few tips to help you through this difficult time.

Diet

Is Noom a Diet?

Alexis Conason Psy.D. on May 5, 2020

A popular weight loss app makes big promises. Does it really deliver?

A popular weight loss app makes big promises. Does it really deliver?

Eating Disorders

Here's Why We Are Seeing So Many Fat Jokes Right Now

Alexis Conason Psy.D. on April 13, 2020

Why is it that, in the middle of such an unprecedented and painful time, we are so concerned with our body size?

Why is it that, in the middle of such an unprecedented and painful time, we are so concerned with our body size?

Eating Disorders

There Is No "Right" Way to Cope With a Pandemic

Alexis Conason Psy.D. on April 1, 2020

In this pandemic, many of us worry we aren't feeling the "right" emotions. But there is a ton of value in allowing yourself to feel whatever arises.

In this pandemic, many of us worry we aren't feeling the "right" emotions. But there is a ton of value in allowing yourself to feel whatever arises.

Eating Disorders

Why Dieting Has No Place in Binge Eating Disorder Treatment

Alexis Conason Psy.D. on February 25, 2020

We know that dieting is one of the strongest risk factors for binge eating disorder. So why are researchers recommending a diet as a potential treatment?

We know that dieting is one of the strongest risk factors for binge eating disorder. So why are researchers recommending a diet as a potential treatment?

Eating Disorders

Benefits of Self-Disclosure in Eating Disorder Treatment

Alexis Conason Psy.D. on January 15, 2020

It is estimated that up to half of therapists treating eating disorders have a personal history of the illness. Is this something useful to share with patients?

It is estimated that up to half of therapists treating eating disorders have a personal history of the illness. Is this something useful to share with patients?

Mindfulness

The Tyranny of the Positive Attitude

Alexis Conason Psy.D. on November 21, 2019

This whole "good vibes only" thing has really gotten me down. What about you?

This whole "good vibes only" thing has really gotten me down. What about you?

Eating Disorders

Should Kids Eat Halloween Candy?

Alexis Conason Psy.D. on October 27, 2019

We worry that if we don't restrict our kids' access to candy, they will gorge on sweets all day. But is this really true? Or is it the restriction that is making us out-of-control?

We worry that if we don't restrict our kids' access to candy, they will gorge on sweets all day. But is this really true? Or is it the restriction that is making us out-of-control?

Diet

There's a New Diet App for Kids, and That Scares Me

Alexis Conason Psy.D. on August 14, 2019

WW (Weight Watchers) has just released Kurbo, a diet app for kids. As an eating disorder specialist, I find this deeply concerning.

WW (Weight Watchers) has just released Kurbo, a diet app for kids. As an eating disorder specialist, I find this deeply concerning.

Beauty

Is Body Positivity for All Bodies?

Alexis Conason Psy.D. on August 1, 2019

Is body positivity for everyone? Here is what the commercialized #bopo movement may be missing.

Is body positivity for everyone? Here is what the commercialized #bopo movement may be missing.

Diet

Why Mindful Eating is NOT a Weight Loss Plan

Alexis Conason Psy.D. on June 6, 2019

Can mindful eating be used for weight loss? Find out why this approach loses the essence of mindful eating.

Can mindful eating be used for weight loss? Find out why this approach loses the essence of mindful eating.