Tackling Healthism in Eating Disorder Recovery

Posted on September 30, 2025September 29, 2025 by Alison Pelz, LD, RD, CDE, LCSW

One of the most persistent and invisible roadblocks on this path of recovery is healthism.

When you’re in recovery from an eating disorder, the journey isn’t just about food or body image—it’s about unlearning many of the messages that have shaped your relationship with health, worth, and identity.

What Is Healthism?

Healthism is the belief that a person’s moral worth is tied to their health status—and that “health” is something we can fully control through the “right” choices. It often masquerades as wellness advice, clean eating trends, or motivational fitness culture. It’s sneaky. It’s normalized. And it can deeply harm those recovering from disordered eating.

It tells us:

That our body is a problem to solve.
That health looks a certain way (usually thin, active, and visibly “fit”).
That if we are not constantly optimizing our health, we are failing.

Sound familiar?

Where Did Healthism Come From?

Healthism isn’t just a personal mindset—it’s a cultural narrative with deep historical roots. The term was first coined in the 1980s by sociologist Robert Crawford, who observed a growing trend: people were being taught that health was a personal, moral responsibility, and that individuals—not systems—were to blame for their well-being.

Since then, this idea has been reinforced by everything from public health campaigns to social media influencers. Over time, “healthy” became a synonym for “good,” and illness or difference became something to fix or avoid.

Diet culture, fatphobia, ableism, and capitalism all amplified the message: control your body, and you’ll be safe, accepted, and successful. But here’s the truth: most of the factors that shape our health are outside of our control, including genetics, trauma, systemic oppression, and access to medical care.

If you’ve internalized the belief that your worth is tied to how “healthy” you are, that’s not a personal failure. It’s a product of living in a culture steeped in healthism.

When “Wellness” Becomes a Disguise for the Disorder

It’s not uncommon for someone in recovery to shift from calorie restriction to obsessive “clean eating,” or from compulsive weighing to compulsive step counting. All under the guise of “being healthy.”

But here’s the truth: If your pursuit of health is causing you harm, mentally, physically, and/or emotionally, it’s not actually healthy.

Therapy holds space for the messy, complicated process of rethinking what health really means. And gently challenge the idea that health should ever be the benchmark for your value as a human being.

Healing Beyond the Health Narrative

You deserve a recovery that allows you to reclaim your life. Not just fit into a new version of diet culture with a wellness filter.

Here’s what it can look like to move beyond healthism in recovery:

Embracing body diversity: All bodies are worthy, and all bodies are different. Health does not have one size or shape.
Redefining health: Instead of perfection, explore how to care for your body in a way that feels sustainable, flexible, and joyful.
Focusing on values: What matters most to you beyond your body? I help clients reconnect with those parts of themselves.
Practicing self-compassion: You are not a failure for struggling. You are a person, doing your best in a culture that makes recovery hard.

You Don’t Need to Be “Healthy” to Deserve Care

One of the most radical things we can say in a healing space is: You deserve support, rest, love, and acceptance—whether or not you’re “healthy.”

Health is not a prerequisite for dignity.

In my work with clients, I hold this truth close. Whether you’re early in recovery or years into your healing. I understand how deeply embedded healthism can be, and here to help you untangle from it with compassion and curiosity.

Ready to Explore a New Way Forward?

If you’re feeling burnt out by the pressure to “recover perfectly” or be the picture of health, you’re not alone. Let’s explore what healing could look like when it’s rooted in connection, not control.

Curious about working together?
Reach out to schedule a consultation. I would be honored to walk alongside you.

Freshman Year of College: Why Eating Disorders May Start or Reappear

Posted on August 20, 2025August 18, 2025 by Alison Pelz, LD, RD, CDE, LCSW

The first year of college is often described as a thrilling new chapter—freedom, independence, new friends, late-night pizza, dorm life, and so much possibility. For many students, this first year is fun and exciting. But it’s also filled with major transitions—many of which are invisible until you’re in them. And for students with a history of disordered eating, or even those without, the shift can be enough to stir up or intensify existing eating disorders and their symptoms.

The Perfect Storm of Change

Think about the months, even years, leading up to college: there’s pressure to get in, choose the “right” school, imagine your dream experience, and count down to this next life stage. Students often hear, “These will be the best years of your life.” That narrative leaves little room for the complicated, and very real, emotional reality of freshman year.

Starting college means stepping away from nearly everything that has felt familiar. Students leave behind the structure of high school, the predictability of home, their longstanding support systems, routines, and even the foods they’re used to eating. Meals in college are different—not just the food, but the context: dining halls, roommates watching what you eat, lack of privacy, food availability at odd hours. Schedules shift. Sleep is often disrupted. Social dynamics become more fluid and uncertain.

Our nervous systems thrive on predictability. When that predictability disappears, our bodies and brains notice.

Nervous Systems Don’t Just “Adjust”

The human nervous system is designed to keep us safe and regulated. When life feels overwhelming or uncertain, the body often reaches for something to regain a sense of control or grounding. For some students, that might be diving into academics or social life. For others—especially those with a history of disordered eating—old symptoms may resurface as a way to self-soothe, manage anxiety, or feel a sense of mastery in a suddenly unpredictable environment.

Even for students who have never struggled with an eating disorder before, the stress of transition can be enough to tip the scale. Eating disorders aren’t really about food. They are adaptive responses to stress, trauma, and dysregulation. And while they may seem counterproductive from the outside, they often serve a protective function—numbing overwhelming feelings, offering structure, or creating a sense of control.

When the Fun and the Stress Coexist

It’s important to recognize that freshman year doesn’t have to be miserable for it to be dysregulating. Students (and parents) are often surprised that eating disorder behaviors emerge during what appears to be a “good” year. It’s a common misconception that if a student is socializing, attending classes, or even enjoying college, they must be doing fine. But excitement and stress can coexist. A student might love their college experience and still be struggling silently with food or body image.

What can college students and families do?

Normalize the complexity of transitioning to college. Including feelings of worry, fear, and isolation.
Check in with yourself or your college student about disruptions to routine, the changes in eating patterns, and the emotional rollercoaster of being away from home.
Support emotional regulation strategies beyond food and body control—like mindfulness, journaling, movement, and connecting with others.
Encourage care, especially for students with a history of an eating disorder. Ongoing therapy or nutrition support through telehealth can make a significant difference.
Watch for warning signs that may get masked by the “college is fun” narrative—changes in weight, food rituals, isolation, or excessive focus on body image.
Reinforce that relapse is not failure, but a signal from the nervous system that something is overwhelming. It’s an invitation for support, not shame.

Final Thoughts

Freshman year is a season of growth, challenge, and self-discovery. It’s normal for it to feel both exciting and hard. When we understand the nervous system’s role in regulation—and how eating disorders often function as misguided coping tools—it becomes easier to see why symptoms might arise or return during this time.

By naming these challenges openly, we can help students and families feel less blindsided—and offer the compassionate, proactive support that helps them not just survive freshman year, but move through it with resilience.

If you would like to know more about how I work with families and college students with eating disorders, please feel free to contact me.

Eating Disorder Recovery: Gain momentum over summer break

Posted on June 18, 2025June 9, 2025 by Alison Pelz, LD, RD, CDE, LCSW

For college students working towards eating disorder recovery, during the school year can feel like a constant balancing act. Between deadlines, exams, social stressors, and navigating independence, there’s often little space left for the deep emotional work that recovery requires. You may have found yourself just trying to stay afloat—doing your best to maintain stability, but without the time or energy to develop new skills that support long-term recovery.

Summer break, however, offers something the school year rarely does: breathing room. With fewer academic pressures and more control over your schedule, summer can be an opportunity to gain real momentum in your recovery journey. Here’s how you can use this season to refocus, reconnect, and strengthen your foundation for eating disorder recovery.

1. Re-Engage With Your Eating Disorder Treatment Team

If you’ve had to scale back on therapy or nutrition sessions during the semester, summer is the time to plug back in. Reach out to your treatment team—therapist, dietitian, physician—and schedule regular appointments. Even a few months of more consistent support can create noticeable progress.

If you’ve been away from care altogether, summer is a great time to re-establish those connections or seek out new providers who can help you move forward. Virtual care has made this more accessible than ever, whether you’re at home, traveling, or staying on campus.

This could also mean considering a more intensive level of care, such as a partial hospitalization program (PHP) or intensive outpatient program (IOP). These structured treatment options—often called “day treatment”—can be an incredibly effective way to reinvigorate your recovery. With daily therapeutic support and a more contained environment, you can focus deeply on healing without the academic stress that might otherwise get in the way.

2. Learn (or Re-Learn) Coping Skills

It’s completely normal to feel too emotionally taxed during the school year to take on new coping strategies. That doesn’t mean you’ve failed—it means you were human in a high-stress environment. Summer gives you the bandwidth to revisit or discover skills that actually help regulate your nervous system and reduce the urge to rely on disordered behaviors.

Here are a few to explore:

💬 Connection with Others

Recovery can feel isolating, and sometimes shame convinces us we’re better off alone. But notice this: What happens when you simply connect with someone—a friend, a family member, even a kind stranger? Does your anxiety dip, even a little? Human connection is powerful. It doesn’t need to be deep or intense to be healing. A short walk with a friend, a phone call or text exchange, or a shared laugh can ground you and remind your brain that you are safe.

🌳 Spending Time in Nature

Nature has a unique way of soothing the nervous system. Research shows that even short periods outdoors—walking through a park, sitting near water, or lying in the grass—can reduce stress hormones and improve mood. The natural world invites presence, which is often the opposite of the chaos and noise that feed disordered thoughts.

Try noticing the small things: the sound of wind in the trees, the feel of sunlight on your skin, the rhythm of your footsteps on a trail. These aren’t distractions—they’re grounding tools that help rewire your stress response over time.

✍️ Journaling and Self-Reflection

Without the constant stream of assignments and obligations, you may find space for reflection. Journaling can help you process emotions, track your recovery progress, or simply notice patterns in how you’re feeling. You don’t need to write every day or follow a strict structure. Even jotting down a few thoughts each week can increase self-awareness and offer insight into what’s helping (or hurting) your recovery.

3. Give Yourself Permission to Slow Down

Recovery isn’t just about doing more. Sometimes the biggest breakthroughs come when you give yourself permission to rest. Summer may feel like the time you “should” be catching up or making huge leaps—but remember, slowing down can be the leap.

Ask yourself:

What pace feels sustainable to me?
Where can I offer myself compassion rather than pressure?
What kind of support do I need to keep moving forward gently?

4. Plan for the Fall—Without the Pressure

Toward the end of summer, consider how to carry your progress into the school year. Maybe that means scheduling therapy sessions ahead of time, setting boundaries around school-life balance, or identifying support systems on campus.

You don’t need to have it all figured out—but having a loose plan can prevent you from feeling like you’re starting from scratch once classes resume.

Final Thoughts on Eating Disorder Recovery

Recovery during the academic year can be a slow climb—but summer offers the chance to catch your breath, look around, and notice how far you’ve come. This season isn’t about perfection. It’s about presence, curiosity, and gently returning to the practices and people that help you heal.

Use this time to reconnect—with your team, your tools, your community, and yourself.

Are you struggling with eating disorder recovery ? Working with a therapist who is experienced in Family-Based Treatment can help. If you are in Texas and interested in working with me, click here to fill out a contact form.