Food and Body, Part Three
In their final conversation, Dr. Dan Allender, Diane Summers, RDN, CEDRD-S, CD, and Matt Tiemeyer, LHMC, explore ways we can heal our relationship with food and our bodies. No matter where we are in our journey with food or disordered eating, it is never too late to “turn back to kindness.”
Acknowledging we are in a period of collective trauma and heightened levels of stress, they talk about engaging emotional eating and moving towards food as a means for soothing stress and anxiety.
“How can this be a realm that we can bless, that we can actually cozy up next to ourselves and say, ‘Oh my goodness, of course, you’re scared?’ And what in the moment is going to take really good care of you in the midst of your fear? Pay attention to the response from your body and your heart, and to attempt, as much as possible, to bless it. Whatever it is that’s chosen, to not miss the experience of eating it. Let the food bring comfort instead of disconnecting.” Diane Summers
“I think if we actually set ourselves to the task of maximizing pleasure, tuning into the food well enough that we know the pleasure we’re receiving, we’ll eat differently.” Matt Tiemeyer
It is important to remember that the process of reconnecting with food takes time and that our story, our history with eating, is key to helping us understand how we engage food. How then, do we come back to and redeem those stories, to overcome the silencing effect of shame, and be able to eat with pleasure and enjoyment?
“To be able to understand where we come from is crucial to understanding our relationship with food in a redemptive way. To know where you’ve been gives you a better chance of where you’re headed.” Matt Tiemeyer
“Redemption is part of the glorious plasticity of our brains. We can begin to rewire and re-engage our lives with food in a way that we have not before.” Dr. Dan Allender
“You are not alone, and the hope is profound in terms of the possibility of living and being differently in this world with food and our bodies.” Diane Summers
Resources
If you are interested in going deeper with the resources mentioned in this podcast:
- Matt Tiemeyer practices at Blue Harbor Counseling
- Diane Summers practices at Hope Nutrition Therapy Center
- Follow Covid19 Eating Support on Instagram for around the clock community care meal support
- Read more about Elly Satter’s division of responsibility in feeding.