Tag: Nutrition Counseling

Nutrition Counseling, Stress and Cortisol

Written by Kendra Gaffney on July 29, 2025. Posted in Articles.

Debunking, reframing and gentle approaches

What is stress? Is it a visitor we know of all too well? I invite you to think about your experience of this feeling or state of being. It’s often psychological, emotional, biological and social in nature. Our stress response often comes with three phases – alarm, resistance and exhaustion. And we often face a feeling of shock, make attempts to cope or adapt and wind up feeling overwhelmed or burnt out especially when we are facing it for a prolonged period of time. Did you know that there are different types of stress? Let’s take a look at what types there are and lay some ground work around defining stress.

Understanding stress

According to The American Institute of Stress, stress can be identified as either distress, stress that negatively causes discomfort and harm, or as eustress, a positive kind that often supports you in improving your performance.

Distress is one type of stress, often defined as “physical, mental or emotional strain or tension,” or, “a condition or feeling experiences where a person perceives that demands exceed their available personal or social resources.” When chronic (over an extended period), distress can impact our physiology in a way that perpetuates states like anxiety, depression, cognitive impairment and heart disease.
Eustress has positively been associated with replenishing our feelings of energy, can enhance our cardiovascular health, boost endurance, and sharpen cognitive function, supporting overall mental acuity and motivation. Does this shock you?

Regardless of the type, there’s a unique interplay between our systems in mediating a stress response, involving our nervous, endocrine and immune systems. And there are a variety of categories to stress based on the duration, source and response – acute (“fight or flight/flee”), chronic (over an extended period), environmental, psychological, traumatic, episodic, acute and lastly physiological (illness, injury, sleep deprivation, or nutritional deficiency-related).

Two systems are at play and can become activated during a run in with stress –

(1) sympathetic-adreno-medullar system (SAM) axis, or (2) hypothalamic-pituititary-adrenal system (HPA) axis. Both systems exist to support you in fighting a threat or fleeing a situation, essential, as you can see —

SAM axis activation causes a sudden increase in norepinephrine and epinephrine from our adrenals resulting in an increase in smooth and cardiac muscle tissues, meaning increased blood pressure, heart rate, skeletal muscle blood flow, sodium retention and the making of new glucose for energy occurs! As energy floods into the workings of these systems, gut motility often slows to conserve energy.
HPA axis response is slower than SAM axis, where the hypothalamus signals to your anterior pituitary gland then to the adrenal glands for hormones like cortisol to be secreted for circulation in and throughout the body. This axis is also signaled in response to our circadian rhythm, meaning cortisol levels are high in the morning and low at night. More to come on cortisol!

Stress’ impact on the gut

Our sympathetic nervous system (“fight or flight/flee”), when triggered, slows gastric emptying and overall gut motility, as well as results in a reduced blood flow to the gut and prevents gastrointestinal secretions and nutrient absorption from being supported – not great, though when this system’s turned on, it can help our energy to be shuttled elsewhere, rather towards supporting us in fighting or fleeing.

Stress-induced gut motility changes can look like diarrhea or constipation, stress impacting the mucosal layer of the GI (gastrointestinal) tract which can increase permeability of the lining increasing likelihood of inflammation or infection. Since the gut and brain talk to one another, there can be a dysregulation of the axis due to stress which can exacerbate GI disorders.

Chronic stress can weaken the immune system increasing likelihood of complications like H.pylori gastric ulcers, bleeding and more.

Laying groundwork on cortisol

Cortisol is a glucocorticoid produced by the HPA axis, originating from the adrenal cortex (located on top of each kidney) and is controlled by the sympathetic nervous system. Did you know cortisol is made from cholesterol? Not only does it mediate our stress response but it also plays a role in regulating metabolism, our inflammatory response and immune function and can affect nearly every organ system – nervous, immune, cardiovascular, respiratory, reproductive, musculoskeletal, integumentary.

Cortisol is produced in response to illness, injury, trauma or psychological stimulus, supporting the body in accessing energy quickly to respond to a perceived threat. As already mentioned, cortisol follows a 24-hr cycle, typically peaking 30 minutes after waking and declining throughout the day, lowest levels usually during the early sleeping phase.

How cortisol works to support waking up, or a fight/flee response –

Increases availability of blood glucose to the brain
Acts on the liver, muscle, adipose tissue and pancreas and increases the making of new glucose in the liver
Muscle cells decrease the uptake of glucose since they have their own reserve of energy
Increase protein and lipid breakdown
Increases glucagon to pull out stored glucose from the body, and decreases insulin via working with the pancreas

It’s amazing how our bodies were built to move through and to cope with stress. We might note that what can trigger stress can be a multitude of things —

a tight work deadline, a difficult relationship, a traumatic event, news regarding the health of a loved one, not having anything prepared/planned out for dinner, poor air quality, navigating financial difficulties, and so much more.

Chronic stress leads to our body’s system believing that we require a constant state of being prepared to fight or flee. More chronically being in a greater stressed state can impact our blood pressure, heart and blood sugar management, mental health and more long term.

Some symptoms that relate to chronically elevated cortisol levels include increased fat deposition in the face, shoulder blades, and abdominal areas, muscle weakness, impaired glucose tolerance, hypertension, hair loss, trouble sleeping, impaired immune function, difficulty concentrating, bone density loss/osteoporosis and more.

And then on the flip side, adrenal insufficiency, inadequate levels of cortisol, is often autoimmune related, and symptoms include fatigue, loss of weight, hypotension, hyperpigmentation of the skin.

Overall, hyper- or hypo-cortisolism exists for many individuals, often related to tumor presence, autoimmune disease, or due to corticosteroid use for things like inflammatory disease management.

Keep in mind what else could perpetuate chronic stress or elevated cortisol levels – stressing about stress or cortisol levels! It can be supportive to start with, foundationally, some of what will be discussed below, before speaking with your healthcare provider about cortisol testing through blood, saliva or urine, and too, such discussions might be helpful to have with a trusted registered dietitian!

Let’s discuss the hype on “anti-” cortisol or “cortisol detox”-ing, and how to instead gently promote cortisol balance with talking nutritional strategies with a registered dietitian as well as things beyond nutrition.

Nutritional Strategies for Cortisol Balance

Forgeo Cortisol Detox Diets, Adrenal Resets

Be leery of products and eating plans that promote “detox” as such products or plans are often not tested for safety or studied for effectiveness. Our bodies are naturally equipped to detox or remove toxins or impurities from the body – our liver, colon, sweat and kidneys are some places or sources for removal of these types of substances. A multitude of “resets” already occur within our body, and too we have a circadian rhythm that controls many aspects of our internal clock. Additionally be cautious of really restrictive or deprivational regimented eating or lifestyle plans as they can impact our ability to nourish yourself adequately, lead to nutrient deficiencies, and can negatively impact your relationship to food and your body.

Gentle Nutrition for Stress Management and Cortisol Support

Here are some simple yet effective ways to support stress WITHOUT stressing yourself out.

Consistent and regular eating.

Skipping meals or long periods of time without food can signal stress to the body, leading to a rise in cortisol to maintain blood sugar levels.

Where to start? Aim to eat within ~1 hour of waking, and space eating intervals to every 3-4 hours to support a steady supply of energy. Listen to your body’s hunger cues as well. Choose foods that satisfy you. Bring in convenience items to allow for time and energy to be spent on some not all aspects of meal and snack preparation.

Thoughtful, balanced macro-nutrient intake.

Ensure a good balance of carbohydrates, proteins and fats at each meal, and the pairing at least two within snack times to help regulate blood sugar and provide sustained energy.

Carbohydrates – provide glucose, the brain’s primary fuel. Weave in complex carbohydrates or fiber containing carbohydrates for sustained energy release; grains, vegetables, fruits, legumes.
Proteins – help slow down absorption of carbohydrates, promoting greater satiety, stable blood sugar; meats, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy products, tofu, tempeh, lentils, beans, nuts, seeds.
Fats – essential for hormone production and overall cell function/structure, also contributing to satiety; avocados, nuts, nut butters, seeds, oils, fatty fish.

Weave in nutrient-dense foods within food and beverage choices.

Certain vitamins and minerals support the body in stress response and adrenal health; greater depletion with stress.

Magnesium – known for sleep, calming effects with nervous system connection
- sources: dark leafy greens, nuts, seeds, legumes, whole grains, dark chocolate
B vitamins (B5, B6, B12, folate) – crucial for energy production, neurotransmitter synthesis, increased depletion during stress.
- sources: grains, meats, eggs, dairy, leafy greens, legumes, nuts, seeds.
Vitamin C – antioxidant that supports adrenal function, immune health.
- sources: citrus fruits, berries, bell peppers, broccoli, kiwi
Omega-3 fatty acids – anti-inflammatory properties, supportive of brain health, beneficial in managing stress.
- sources: fatty fish, flaxseeds, chia seeds, walnuts.

Hydration

Dehydration can be a physical stressor on the body, potentially impacting cortisol levels.

Start hydrating early and throughout the day; choose preferred beverages, caffeine-free; opt for adding in hydrating foods like fruits; consider electrolyte repletion; talk with your registered dietitian or health care provider on appropriateness of supplementation.

Mindful eating practices

Meal and snack times can be an opportunity to check in with yourself and support calm, where possible. How you eat plays a significant role in managing stress and supporting digestion too.

Consider slowing down, paying attention, tuning in to hunger, fullness, and releasing judgment around food choices. It could start with taking 3 slow, deep breaths before eating!

Beyond Nutrition

Adequate sleep – chronic sleep deprivation impacts cortisol levels; aim for 7-9 hours a night; try to establish a consistent sleep schedule, bedtime routine.
Stress management techniques – actively managing stress is crucial for lowering cortisol – meditation, deep breathing exercises, yoga, spending time in nature, engaging in enjoyable activities; ASK FOR or GET HELP, whether at home, work, with your nutrition, within your family or friend circle, therapist, or a trusted health care provider.
Regular, joyful movement – engage in enjoyable activity – walking, dancing, gardening, gentle stretching.
Social connection – nurture relationships with friends, family and find community; spend time with people who uplift you.

I invite you to see that there is choice in how to view and address the stress you experience. I welcome you to choose intention over perfection. Balancing cortisol levels isn’t about strict rules or deprivation, it’s about meeting yourself where you are at and getting curious as to in what ways might you be able to support yourself in feeling more empowered and not overwhelmed in ways to find greater resiliency around stress management in your life.

Resources; links to references below…

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Explore Your Relationship with Food with a Registered Dietitian in Raleigh, NC

Thinking about food all the time isn’t a sign that you’re failing, it’s a signal that something deeper wants to be heard. Nutritional counseling in Raleigh, NC can offer you the space to explore that signal with compassion and care. At Nutritious Thoughts, we help clients unravel the “why” behind their food thoughts, reconnect with their bodies, and create relationships with food that feel sustainable, grounded, and peaceful.

Contact us at (828) 333-0096 or email info@nutritious-thoughts.com
Tell us more about yourself.
Food thoughts aren’t a flaw—they’re a signal. Let’s listen with compassion.

Expanded Counseling Services at Nutritious Thoughts

At Nutritious Thoughts, nutritional counseling in Raleigh, NC is just one way we show up for our community. In addition to individual sessions, we also offer Community Wellness & Education programs that bring thoughtful, inclusive conversations about food and body trust into schools, treatment centers, and workplaces. These workshops and trainings offer space to reflect, unlearn, and reimagine your relationship with food in community. Whether virtual or in-person, our goal is always the same: to make compassionate, weight-inclusive support accessible where it’s needed most. Reach out if you’d like to learn more about how we can support your organization.

Person sitting casually in white pants and black Converse sneakers, holding a colorful bowl of fresh food—capturing a relaxed, nourishing moment that reflects the support of a nutritional therapist in Raleigh, NC and the personalized approach of nutritional counseling in Raleigh, NC.

Why Am I Always Thinking About Food? What Nutritional Counseling in Raleigh, NC Can Help You Understand

Written by Kendra Gaffney on July 25, 2025. Posted in Articles.

If food feels like it’s constantly taking up space in your mind, from the moment you wake to when you’re winding down, you’re not imagining it. This kind of mental load can feel heavy, frustrating, and even disorienting. You might feel like you’re constantly planning, second-guessing, or worrying about what you ate or what you should eat next. And if you’re feeling stuck in that loop, know that it’s something nutritional counseling can help you gently untangle.

Maybe you’ve wondered, “Why can’t I just be normal about food?” Or maybe you’ve internalized the idea that your relationship with food is a personal failure. But here’s the truth: persistent thoughts about food aren’t a sign that something is wrong with you. They’re a sign that something deeper is asking for attention. And that’s exactly where nutritional counseling with a registered dietitian in Raleigh, NC can support you.

Constant Food Thoughts: What’s Really Going On?

Frequent thoughts about food often have very little to do with willpower and a lot more to do with unmet needs. In sessions with a registered dietitian one of the first things we explore is: What are these thoughts trying to tell you? Are they pointing to a physical need like hunger or fatigue? An emotional need like comfort, control, or connection? Or a mental habit shaped by years of diet culture and restriction?

Food obsession is often a learned response to deprivation; whether that deprivation is physical (like not eating enough) or psychological (like feeling guilty every time you do eat). It can also be a survival response rooted in past experiences with food insecurity, chronic dieting, disordered eating, or trauma. The mind becomes hyper-focused on food because it’s trying to solve something. And while it may feel overwhelming, it also holds valuable clues.

How Diet Culture Fuels Food Fixation

We live in a culture that makes it incredibly difficult to have a peaceful relationship with food. Everywhere you turn, there’s a new rule, a new “hack,” or a new headline telling you how to eat “better.” This barrage of advice often leaves people more disconnected from their bodies, not less. When you’re constantly trying to follow rules that override your natural hunger cues or moralize certain foods as “good” or “bad,” it’s no wonder your brain is preoccupied with eating. It’s trying to keep up.

Many of the clients who begin nutritional counseling feel like they’ve tried everything: intuitive eating, meal plans, mindfulness, but still feel stuck. That’s because unlearning diet culture isn’t just about what you eat. It’s about unpacking the beliefs you’ve absorbed about what your body needs, deserves, or is allowed to feel.

Emotional and Mental Load: Food as a Coping Tool

Another reason food might be taking up so much headspace? It’s doing more than nourishing your body. For many people, food becomes a way to manage anxiety, boredom, loneliness, or overwhelm. That doesn’t make you broken, it means you’ve been doing your best with the tools you had. When you haven’t had access to supportive coping tools, it makes sense that food became one of the few places your nervous system could land. If food was the only reliable way to soothe or anchor yourself, of course those thoughts would feel louder during emotional stress.

In nutrition counseling, the goal isn’t to eliminate emotional eating altogether. Instead, we explore your unique relationship with food, emotions, and control. Together, you and your registered dietitian can get curious about what’s underneath the surface. What does food represent for you in moments of stress or uncertainty? Or what else might you need?

Biological Factors: Are You Actually Eating Enough?

Here’s something we ask often at Nutritious Thoughts: Are you eating enough?

It may sound simple, but many people aren’t. Undereating, whether intentional or not, can trigger intense food preoccupation. When your body doesn’t get enough fuel, your brain goes into alert mode. It thinks you’re in danger and starts scanning for food at all costs. You might find yourself thinking about your next snack while still eating your current one. Or fantasizing about “off-limits” foods that used to be part of your regular routine.

That’s not a personal flaw, it’s biology. And no amount of mindset work will override a body that feels undernourished. Nutritional counseling gives you a safe place to assess your intake without judgment. A registered dietitian can help you figure out if your eating patterns are supporting your energy, hormones, and mental clarity; or keeping you stuck in cycles of restriction and rebound.

You’re Not “Too Much.” You’ve Just Been Carrying Too Much Alone.

This is a message so many clients need to hear: the way you think about food isn’t random. It didn’t come out of nowhere. It’s been shaped by your lived experiences; your upbringing, your culture, your access to care, and the stories you’ve been told about your body. If food is always on your mind, it’s not because you’re broken. It’s because food has meant something in your life. Maybe it was your comfort, your escape, your rebellion, or your only reliable sense of safety. That deserves compassion, not criticism.

At Nutritious Thoughts, we understand the nuance of these relationships. That’s why our team of registered dietitians in Raleigh, NC doesn’t offer one-size-fits-all solutions. We offer curiosity, presence, and care. Together, we can explore how food became a battleground—and how to turn it into a space of reconnection.

What Nutrition Counseling in Raleigh, NC Might Look Like for You

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to healing your relationship with food. Your experiences, your body, and your needs are uniquely yours. That’s why nutritional counseling is never about handing you a generic meal plan; it’s about building something that honors your full humanity. Here’s a glimpse into what working with a registered dietitian might involve:

Gently assessing your current food patterns and the beliefs driving them
Exploring emotional and somatic cues that inform your hunger and fullness
Reframing “food noise” with supportive, values-aligned practices
Identifying triggers that increase food fixation—and tools to soften them
Honoring the role food has played in your life without judgment or shame

This isn’t about controlling your thoughts or striving for perfection. The goal is to reduce food’s mental grip so you can be more present in your actual life. Imagine moments around food that feel nourishing and safe, evenings where guilt doesn’t follow you into rest, and space in your mind for joy, clarity, and connection. Your brain deserves the quiet that comes with nourishment and care.

Is It Time to Explore Your Relationship with Food with a Registered Dietitian in Raleigh, NC?

Contact us at (828) 333-0096 or email info@nutritious-thoughts.com
Tell us more about yourself.
Food thoughts aren’t a flaw—they’re a signal. Let’s listen with compassion.

Expanded Counseling Services at Nutritious Thoughts

Nourishing Your Gut: Compassionate Support for GI Disturbances

Written by Kendra Gaffney on July 22, 2025. Posted in Articles.

At Nutritious Thoughts, we understand that living with gastrointestinal (GI) disturbances can profoundly impact your daily life. Making eating a source of anxiety rather than nourishment. From chronic bloating and discomfort to unpredictable bowel habits, GI issues can feel isolating and overwhelming. We believe that true well-being stems from a harmonious relationship between your gut, your mind, and the food you eat.

We offer a compassionate, holistic approach to help you cultivate change around your digestion. We work on empowering you to find relief, build gut resilience, and rediscover the joy of eating.

Understanding GI Disturbances: More Than Just a “Stomach Ache”

GI disturbances are a broad category encompassing a range of symptoms and conditions that affect the digestive system. These are not merely physical discomforts; they often have significant impacts on mental health, energy levels, and quality of life. Common conditions and symptoms include:

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): Characterized by abdominal pain, cramping, bloating, gas, and changes in bowel habits (diarrhea, constipation, or both).
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): Chronic inflammatory conditions like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO): An excess of bacteria in the small intestine, leading to bloating, gas, diarrhea, and malabsorption.
Food Sensitivities/Intolerances: Adverse reactions to certain foods (e.g., lactose intolerance, gluten sensitivity, FODMAPs) that cause digestive upset.
Chronic Constipation or Diarrhea: Persistent issues that interfere with daily functioning.
Heartburn/GERD: Persistent acid reflux.

The interplay between the gut and the brain (the “gut-brain axis”) is increasingly understood, highlighting why stress, anxiety, and even past experiences can significantly influence digestive health.

Our Approach: Healing Your Gut, Mind, and Relationship with Food

At Nutritious Thoughts, our philosophy for supporting individuals with GI disturbances is rooted in deep empathy and a holistic perspective. We move beyond a symptom-focused approach to address the underlying factors contributing to your discomfort.

We emphasize:

Compassionate Exploration: We create a safe space to discuss sensitive symptoms without judgment, validating your experiences and working collaboratively towards solutions.
The Gut-Brain Connection: Recognizing that stress, emotions, and thoughts profoundly impact digestion, we integrate strategies to support both gut health and mental well-being.
Personalized Nourishment: There’s no one-size-fits-all diet for GI issues. We work with you to identify triggers, explore suitable foods, and build sustainable eating patterns that calm your system.
Empowerment & Trust: We empower you to tune into your body’s signals, fostering trust in your digestive system and reducing fear around food.

How We Support Your Journey to Digestive Well-being

Our collaborative team at Nutritious Thoughts offers a multi-faceted approach to guide you toward relief and a more peaceful relationship with your gut:

1. Personalized Nutritional Strategies

Symptom Identification & Trigger Analysis: We help you systematically track symptoms and identify potential food and lifestyle triggers through detailed assessment and elimination/reintroduction protocols (e.g., modified FODMAP diet, targeted eliminations) if appropriate and under guidance.
Gentle Nutrition for Gut Health: Guiding you toward balanced eating patterns that reduce inflammation, support a healthy gut microbiome, and promote digestive ease. This may involve incorporating fiber, probiotics, and specific nutrients.
Meal Planning for Relief: Developing flexible and enjoyable meal plans that accommodate your sensitivities while ensuring adequate nutrition and preventing nutrient deficiencies.
Rebuilding Food Enjoyment: Helping you reintroduce foods safely and expand your diet variety, reducing food-related anxiety and fostering a positive relationship with eating.

2. Addressing the Gut-Brain Axis & Emotional Well-being

Mind-Body Techniques: Teaching practical strategies like diaphragmatic breathing, guided imagery, and mindfulness to calm the nervous system, reduce gut sensitivity, and alleviate GI symptoms exacerbated by stress.
Stress Management: Exploring the impact of chronic stress on your digestion and developing personalized stress-reduction techniques.
Processing Emotional Factors: Creating a safe space to address anxiety, fear, and frustration related to GI symptoms, which can often perpetuate the cycle of discomfort.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) & Gut-Directed Hypnotherapy: Utilizing therapeutic approaches to reframe negative thought patterns around food and body, and to calm the gut-brain connection.

3. Sustainable Lifestyle & Self-Care

Movement for Digestion: Exploring gentle physical activity that supports gut motility and reduces stress, such as walking, yoga, or stretching.
Sleep Optimization: Recognizing the vital role of quality sleep in digestive and overall health.
Hydration & Fiber Balance: Practical guidance on optimal fluid intake and appropriate fiber consumption to support regularity and comfort.

Your Collaborative GI Health Team

Effective management of GI disturbances often thrives with a multidisciplinary, supportive team. At Nutritious Thoughts, we can help you coordinate care with:

Registered Dietitian (RD/RDN): Specializing in gut health, to provide medical nutrition therapy, guide elimination protocols, and develop personalized eating plans.
Gastroenterologist: For diagnosis, medical management, and to rule out underlying medical conditions.
Therapist (LCSW, Psychologist, LMFT): To address anxiety, stress, depression, or trauma impacting the gut-brain connection, and to process the emotional burden of chronic GI issues.
Integrated Practitioners: Such as Pelvic Floor Physical Therapists or Acupuncturists, if complementary therapies are deemed beneficial.

Embracing a Future of Digestive Peace & Freedom

Living with GI disturbances doesn’t mean a lifetime of discomfort and restriction. It means cultivating a deeper understanding of your unique body, nurturing your gut-brain connection, and building sustainable habits that foster digestive peace.

At Nutritious Thoughts, we are dedicated to guiding you toward a future where eating is enjoyable again, your gut feels calm, and you can live with greater comfort and confidence.

Explore Your Relationship with Food with a Registered Dietitian in Raleigh, NC

Contact us at (828) 333-0096 or email info@nutritious-thoughts.com
Tell us more about yourself.
Food thoughts aren’t a flaw—they’re a signal. Let’s listen with compassion.

A group of people gathered around a grill at a summer gathering, connecting over food and conversation—representing how nutritional counseling in Raleigh, NC with a nutritional therapist can support you in navigating food and body comments with confidence and care.

How to Respond to Food & Body Comments at Summer Events with Help from a Registered Dietitian in Raleigh, NC

Written by Kendra Gaffney on July 15, 2025. Posted in Articles, Body Image, Eating Disorder Recovery.

Summer events are often framed as joyful and carefree, full of sunshine, good food, and connection. But for many people, they also carry a quieter, more complicated weight. Conversations about food and bodies tend to show up in subtle (and not-so-subtle) ways, leaving you navigating discomfort beneath the surface. Whether it’s a relative commenting on what’s on your plate or a friend offering a backhanded compliment that feels more like a comparison. All of these moments can catch you off guard. With the support of a registered dietitian in Raleigh, NC, you can explore ways to respond in a way that honors your boundaries and values.

Maybe you’ve had moments like this before, where comments have caught you off guard and stayed with you. Perhaps you even tried therapy before but they just didn’t get it. It felt like your thoughts, perspectives, and feelings were brushed aside. The good news? There is another way to move through summer events, one that honors your needs without pushing you into discomfort or disconnection. Working with a registered dietitian can help you explore how to meet these moments with groundedness. Together, you can find ways to care for yourself that feel aligned with your values and capacity.

Why These Comments Hurt, Even When They’re “Well-Meaning”

We live in a culture that constantly critiques bodies. So much so that people often don’t even realize they’re doing it. Offhand comments like “Wow, that’s a lot of food” or “You’re so disciplined, I could never eat like that” may seem harmless, but they can linger and sting. Even when said without malice, they can hit vulnerable parts of your food and body story. These remarks aren’t just irritating. They often poke at deeper fears or memories. Maybe it’s the diet culture you were immersed in, the patterns you’ve worked to unlearn, or the belief that your worth is tied to your body image.

Even compliments can feel complicated. Comments about appearance, even if meant as praise, can reinforce harmful beliefs. Ones that equate thinness with worth or health. The truth is, these comments don’t exist in a vacuum. They echo a diet culture that has taught people to equate thinness with discipline and morality. But you don’t have to subscribe to those rules anymore.

Feeling Nervous Before a Summer Event? Here’s How to Support Your Body and Boundaries

One of the most powerful things you can do before attending a summer event is ground yourself. Not in a “just think positive” kind of way. But in a real, body-connected way that acknowledges how these spaces impact you. Here are a few ways you can prepare:

Check in with your body. What feels supportive today? Do you need a snack before heading out? Extra water? A grounding walk?
Set an intention. Maybe it’s “I want to enjoy my meal without guilt,” or “I will give myself permission to step away if I need to.”
Name your boundaries. What kinds of comments or conversations drain you? What are you willing to engage with, and what are you okay letting go of?

Working with a registered dietitian at Nutritious Thoughts means you don’t have to navigate boundary-setting alone. Together, you can explore the situations that tend to bring up discomfort, and find supportive ways to respond that feel natural and safe. It’s not about having a script. Really, it’s about practicing how to show up in a way that reflects your values and needs. Nutritional counseling can provide the space to build that confidence and clarity over time.

Scripts & Strategies for Handling Food and Body Comments

Let’s be honest, responding in the moment isn’t always easy. Sometimes, it’s actually best to take a breath before deciding how to respond. Other times the best option is to change the subject and keep things moving. Then there are times you might feel ready to say something a little more direct. Either way, there’s no single “right” way to handle it. There’s only what feels safe, manageable, and supportive to you in that moment. At Nutritious Thoughts, our registered dietitians can help you explore these choices with care and intention.

Here are a few options:

Low-Energy (for when you want to avoid conflict)

“I’m just focusing on enjoying this meal.”
“Food talk stresses me out. How’s your garden doing?”

Mid-Energy (for people you know and trust)

“I’m actually working on healing my relationship with food, so I’d rather not talk about it like that.”
“That kind of comment is tough for me to hear. I’m asking you to stop.”

Inner Affirmations (when you can’t or don’t want to say anything aloud)

“I don’t owe anyone an explanation for how I eat.”
“This isn’t about me, it’s a reflection of their own story.”

If you’re working with someone through nutritional counseling, you can explore and practice these responses together at your own pace. A registered dietitian in Raleigh, NC can also help you find language that aligns with your values, comfort level, and energy on any given day. This kind of support makes it easier to feel grounded when food or body conversations come up.

Coping After the Fact: What to Do When It Sticks With You

Sometimes you leave the event and feel fine… until you don’t. A throwaway comment replays in your head later that night. You start second-guessing your choices or noticing an old shame script trying to sneak back in. That doesn’t mean you failed. It means you’re human. Give yourself space to feel what comes up. That might look like:

Journaling or voice-noting to process your reaction
Texting a trusted friend who “gets it”
Moving your body in a way that feels grounding (stretching, walking, shaking it out)

And if the feelings linger, that’s okay too. You don’t have to rush past your reaction or pretend it didn’t impact you. Nutritional counseling offers space to process these moments with support and curiosity. At Nutritious Thoughts, we hold space for your experience, without judgment and without pressure to “just get over it.”

This Work Goes Beyond One BBQ or Beach Day

Navigating comments like these isn’t just about getting through one weekend. It’s about unpacking years (maybe decades) of diet culture messaging and re-learning how to trust yourself. You weren’t born criticizing your body or fearing judgment. That was learned, which means it can be unlearned too. With support from a registered dietitian you can begin to explore what it means to nourish your body on your terms. This might include unpacking food beliefs that are rooted in shame, fear, or control, and gently shifting them into something more compassionate and sustainable.

It’s about reconnecting with your body’s cues and building a relationship with food that feels grounded and aligned with your values. Nutritional counseling gives you the space to do this work at your own pace, with care and curiosity. And yes, that might mean rethinking how you show up at events. But it can also mean reclaiming joy, freedom, and connection. All without feeling like you have to earn them.

Could Working with a Registered Dietitian in Raleigh, NC Help You Navigate Summer with More Ease?

Food and body comments don’t have to derail your day. With support from a registered dietitian in Raleigh, NC, you can learn how to respond, or not respond, in ways that feel empowering and grounded in your values. At Nutritious Thoughts, we offer nutritional counseling in Raleigh, NC that meets you where you are, with no pressure, no shame, and no expectation to have it all figured out. Just a space to explore what healing and support could look like for you.

Contact us at (828) 333-0096 or email info@nutritious-thoughts.com
Tell us more about yourself.
You don’t have to navigate food and body comments alone. We’re here to support you, at your pace.

Expanded Counseling Services at Nutritious Thoughts

Mindful Eating Practices with the support of a Registered Dietitian

Written by Kendra Gaffney on July 2, 2025. Posted in Articles.

How-To: Not a Carefulness Practice, but Instead One that Fosters Curiosity, Presence, and Appreciation

By Molly List, posted by Kendra Gaffney

Spaghetti and meatsauce served on a paper plate. Outside. Eaten at a picnic table. It’s sort of breezy, a bit of a chill in the air. Sort of overcast and dreary. But look at that steam from my food, rising from my plate of spaghetti. I swear nothing smells tastier. I swear nothing looks tastier. I swear nothing is tastier. I swear nothing is more nostalgic or satisfying than eating spaghetti outside.

I remember when I first heard of “mindful eating.” It sounded a lot like “Let’s be careful with our food choices.” “Is this a balanced enough choice?” “Let’s be sure not to overeat.”

We don’t have to search for too long to find another person, program, maybe well-intentioned healthcare professional that can offer us an answer to our “problems” with food, with eating, with ourselves. If only we could find the answer or the thing that works.

What do we want from our food choices? What do we want from our eating experiences? What if within us is the only place in which we can unlock the answers to knowing what food, what way of eating, could best serve us?

My experiences with eating spaghetti and meatsauce outside for dinner while camping growing up helped me to connect with the practice of mindful eating and to my wants, needs, and desires around eating and nourishment. Below, I share with you some perspectives on what mindful eating isn’t, and offer you what it can be if you are open to it.

All you need is curiosity and something to eat!

Mindful eating is NOT

x a restrictive or rigid eating plan

There are no “shoulds” to the choices you make around what you eat. It’s not about nourishing yourself less. We often are then left unsatisfied, longing for more. An undernourished, unsatisfied you isn’t the goal.

x about eating perfectly or about eating in complete silence, with no distractions

Being in company with something or someone might support you in an eating experience, so don’t poo-poo a loved one, a video call, some music, a podcast, or a TV show to accompany you when you eat. Mindful eating can also still be accomplished while you’re in your car! I share that it can, based off experience.

x about judging what or how much you’re eating, compared to yesterday’s you or the

person eating next to you

This practice is not universally the same for all. Each person may practice it differently, and even you may participate in it differently, meal to meal, day to yester-year. The practice can ebb and flow just like life does.

x doesn’t involve complex rules or calculations

Don’t we all love black or white. Right or wrong. Pass or fail. So help us when we are encouraged to take the reins back and look inwards to be guided by our own inner wisdom.

“Mindfulness means paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and nonjudgmentally.” Jon Kabat-Zinn, Wherever You Go, There You Are.

Mindful Eating Is …

…bringing intentionality to our food choices, as we can. Not all of us have the privilege to intuitively choose to nourish our body with what might feel most supportive to us on all fronts.

If feasible, you might ask yourself, “What sounds good? What would I like out of this choice? How might I be able to have this choice be more satisfying, filling, and fueling?”

…bringing awareness to the now. Eating for necessity, for self-care, to comfort, etc. can look different for everyone. Know that we can benefit greatly from checking in with our surroundings, our body and with our food.

If you can, you might ask or share with yourself, “How do I feel? I am here. I am safe. What would make me more comfortable at this moment? Could I ask for assistance from another in any way? How is my breath? How could it feel to take 3, slow deep-embodied breaths? How does my posture feel? What would feel more comfortable? Where are my shoulders? Would they feel more comfortable being brought down?”

…involving your senses as you feel comfortable doing so. Some individuals may have difficulty with certain sensory experiences. Mindful eating is about working to honor what feels safe, nourishing, and satisfying for YOU.

You might get curious about and/or even bring in conversation around your experience with food as you’re eating – whether it be with yourself or with those you’re eating with! Are you driven to eat something on your plate first? What are all of the colors that exist on your plate? Do you enjoy the smell of your meal? Might a memory or a person be associated with your experience with the smell or food? How does the food feel in your mouth as you chew your food? How do the different textures compliment one another to make the meal even more satisfying? Is the warmth or chill, satisfying, comforting, or refreshing? Do I feel a sense of fullness? What could make this more satisfying, more nourishing?

…eating without judgment. Food is food. Food isn’t good or bad. One food choice isn’t right or wrong. My worth isn’t defined by my food choice. Notice your thoughts. Notice without judgment.

You might notice whether that food, your snack or meal was satisfying, if you are full, uncomfortably full, if you’re done eating, or if you choose to have more. I offer you an opportunity to name your experience or choice without explanation or apology.

There are a multitude of benefits when bringing in a more mindful eating practice.

Improved digestion – as you tune in, you may choose to chew food more thoroughly. When smelling and experiencing food, your body will often more supportively produce saliva and digestive enzymes to aid in the breakdown of food.
Enhanced taste perception for more satisfaction with eating – paying attention to food can increase the enjoyment of flavors and sensory experiences aiding in feelings of satiation.
Reaching a desirable fullness – as you tune into your body, food, eating experience overall, you may eat in a manner that may allow for you to discover a satisfying more comfortable fullness.
Greater ability to recognize, differentiate and interweave the 4 types of hunger – physical, taste, practice and emotional. In doing so, there may be enhanced awareness of emotions that can help differentiate physical hunger cues from emotional eating triggers.
Increased mindfulness – practicing mindful eating may allow for the extension of mindfulness into other facets of life.
Greater appreciation for how food and other facets of life are at play with one another.

Sharing with you some of my ideas on how to sustainably eat meals and snacks in a more mindful manner.

I’ll start with my most favorite, simple yet intentional practices – taking a few (3) slow, deep breaths before eating. Whether in the car, at my desk, on my couch with a snack, or at the dining room table. It’s a great way to check in with your body as a whole, increase the likelihood of your body sensing food is coming, and to enjoy what you are eating much more.

Other ideas:

Create a comfortable eating environment – consider the lighting, the clutter, the volume. Would I enjoy it more quiet? Reduced distractions? A TV show on? How about music? Fresh air? Light some fake candles!

Pay attention to and honor physical hunger cues – eat when you are hungry, and when food sounds appealing to you. When you are super hungry, it can be difficult to slow down and really enjoy.

Engage your senses – notice colors, textures, aromas of food; can you savor this bite more?

Pay some attention to the speed at which you eat. Chew your food decently. Why rush? Can you block out 30 minutes for lunch? How about 5 minutes?

Practice gratitude – choose to express gratitude in what way works for you. I invite you to take a moment to appreciate the food, where it came from and what it took to get to you. Reflect on the nourishment it provides. Reflect on appreciation for your body in how it can transform food into fuel for your body.

For me, mindful eating is a self care practice that connects me to my appreciation for my body, my family, my food access, my environment, to my nervous system, and helps me to have gratitude for all the roles that food can play.

Mindful eating has brought me the realization that fresh air means more flavorful food. A hot meal means something that warms my body AND my soul. That food and the eating experience can ground me and bring me back to a felt sense of self after a busy out-of-body-run-around day. Spaghetti and meatsauce is now a time travel back in time to family, to laughs, to bug bites, to camping and to a moment where I discovered how much more flavorful food can be when you eat outside amongst the fresh air!

Explore Your Relationship with Food with a Registered Dietitian in Raleigh, NC

Contact us at (828) 333-0096 or email info@nutritious-thoughts.com
Tell us more about yourself.
Food thoughts aren’t a flaw—they’re a signal. Let’s listen with compassion.

A woman enjoys a fresh blackberry with ease, reflecting the peace and confidence supported by nutritional counseling in Raleigh, NC with a registered dietitian in Raleigh, NC.

Rebuilding Body Trust Through Nutritional Counseling

Written by Kendra Gaffney on June 15, 2025. Posted in Articles, Body Image. 4 Comments on Rebuilding Body Trust Through Nutritional Counseling

What does it really mean to trust your body? And what happens when that trust feels broken? For many people, body trust isn’t something they ever learned. Or if they did, it may have been chipped away slowly through chronic dieting, medical trauma, body shame, or simply years of tuning out their body’s needs to meet external expectations. So often, when we talk about body trust, it’s framed like a light switch. It’s something you either have or don’t. But that’s not how it works. If you’ve ever thought, “I want to feel more at home in my body, but I don’t know how,” that’s not random. That thought came from somewhere, and it’s worth listening to. At Nutritious Thoughts, we support you in rebuilding that trust, slowly, compassionately, and in ways that feel grounded in your lived experience. Through nutritional counseling in Raleigh, NC, you’re not given a plan to follow. You’re offered a relationship where curiosity, care, and connection come first.

Body Trust Doesn’t Disappear Overnight—So Why Do We Expect It to Come Back Instantly?

Here’s the thing. If you’ve been conditioned to ignore your hunger, dismiss your needs, or constantly strive to “fix” your body, of course trust feels hard. You didn’t break it. Rather, you adapted to survive in a world that doesn’t always make space for your body’s wisdom. We live in a culture that rewards disconnection. One that frames chronic dieting as a sign of dedication. That labels restriction as “healthy” and measures success by how well we ignore our needs. (To be clear, we don’t recommend any of this.) So when we start to explore body trust, it’s not about snapping our fingers and magically believing. It’s about recognizing how the mistrust was built, and giving ourselves permission to do something different. That’s what nutritional counseling in Raleigh, NC offers: a place to notice, soften, and start again. All without shame or pressure.

What Does Body Distrust Actually Feel Like?

Body distrust doesn’t always look the way people expect. It might show up as:

Overthinking every food choice
Feeling like hunger is unpredictable or untrustworthy
Disconnecting from movement because it feels punishing
Struggling to tell the difference between fullness and discomfort
Avoiding mirrors—or feeling like you’re watching yourself from the outside in

None of these are signs of failure. They’re signs of a body that’s been navigating a lot of noise. In sessions of nutritional counseling with a registered dietitian we gently unpack these experiences. Not to pathologize them, but to understand what they’ve been protecting you from. We explore how food and body patterns have helped you feel safe, soothed, or in control—and what it might look like to find other ways of support.

Why Body Trust Isn’t Just About Food (But Food Is a Good Place to Start)

A lot of people come to us thinking, “I just need to eat better.” But pretty quickly, we realize it’s not about food in isolation. It’s about everything surrounding it. Food is where so many of us first learned to override our needs. Maybe you learned early on that being “good” meant ignoring what your body wanted. Or maybe you were encouraged to keep going, even when your body was clearly asking you to slow down. In nutrition counseling, we start to ask different questions:

What helps you feel safe enough to listen to your body?
Where do shame and judgment creep into your mealtimes?
What would it be like to eat without needing to earn it?

Through these questions and the safety of a supportive, nonjudgmental space, you begin to rebuild something deeper than just “better eating habits.” You begin to reconnect with you. You start to notice the moments your body whispers instead of shouts, and you give yourself permission to listen. This isn’t about performing health. It’s about coming home to yourself in a way that feels steady, soft, and real.

What Might Rebuilding Body Trust Actually Look Like—And What If It’s Simpler Than You Think?

Working with a registered dietitian at Nutritious Thoughts in nutritional counseling doesn’t mean you’ll be handed a food plan or told what to eat. In fact, most sessions look nothing like that. Instead, it might look like:

Naming a belief you didn’t realize you’d internalized (like “I don’t know how to feel in control around certain foods.”)
Talking through a triggering experience at the doctor’s office or in a fitting room
Exploring what “enough” feels like in your body—not just physically, but emotionally
Practicing a grounding exercise before lunch to see if it helps you stay more present
Sharing a snack in session while talking about what satisfaction really means

You don’t need to be in crisis to deserve support. And you don’t need to arrive at your session “ready to change.” Curiosity is enough. Showing up is enough.

When Loving Your Body Feels Out of Reach (And That’s Okay)

Sometimes the goal isn’t to love your body. It’s just to feel less at war with it. That’s why we don’t push “positivity” if it doesn’t feel accessible. Especially for folks who’ve experienced trauma, chronic illness, systemic body stigma, or gender dysphoria, the idea of loving your body might feel like a reach. That’s okay. We care more about helping you build a relationship with your body that feels honest, spacious, and respectful.

A relationship where you’re allowed to feel conflicted and still choose care. One where your body doesn’t define you, but you’re also not expected to ignore it. Nutrition counseling creates space for this nuance. We won’t tell you how you should feel. We’ll help you get curious about how you do feel and how you want to relate to those feelings with compassion instead of control.

This Is Not About “Fixing”—It’s About Returning

Healing doesn’t always look like progress. Sometimes it looks like circling back. Sometimes it looks like resting. And sometimes it looks like eating the meal even when you still feel unsure. We don’t define success by what you’re eating, we look at how you’re feeling while you eat. Can you feel your feet on the floor, your breath in your chest? Is there space to pause before reacting, even when shame or doubt show up? Body trust isn’t a destination. It’s a relationship. One you get to keep coming back to. And in sessions with a registered dietitian in Raleigh, NC, you don’t have to do it alone.

Ready to Reconnect? Work with a Registered Dietitian in Raleigh, NC

You don’t have to have it all figured out to begin. Whether you’re navigating food anxiety, unlearning diet culture, or simply craving a more peaceful relationship with your body, our team at Nutritious Thoughts is here to help. Through nutritional counseling in Raleigh, NC, we create space for you to return to yourself—with care, flexibility, and a deep respect for your lived experience. With in-person offices in Raleigh, Hendersonville, and Asheville—and virtual support available across North Carolina—healing your relationship with food and your body is more accessible than you might think.

Contact us at (828) 333-0096 or email info@nutritious-thoughts.com
Tell us more about yourself.
Because you’re allowed to trust your body again. And we’d be honored to walk alongside you.

Expanded Counseling Services at Nutritious Thoughts

At Nutritious Thoughts, our support extends far beyond individual counseling. Through our Community Wellness & Education programs, we engage with schools, workplaces, and recovery centers to bring tailored nutrition counseling, workshops, and educational presentations directly to your community. Whether delivered on-site or virtually, our goal is to provide accessible wellness tools where they can make the greatest impact. Reach out to learn more about our services and pricing.

Two men laugh and enjoy a relaxed breakfast together, illustrating the joy and connection that can come from working with a registered dietitian in Raleigh, NC through personalized nutritional counseling in Raleigh, NC.

What Is Intuitive Eating—and Can It Actually Work for Me?

Written by Kendra Gaffney on May 25, 2025. Posted in Body Image, Education, Self Care. 3 Comments on What Is Intuitive Eating—and Can It Actually Work for Me?

You’ve heard of intuitive eating, but you’re skeptical. There’s a lot of misinformation out there, and you’re not sure if it’s just another trend. Maybe you’ve tried it before but it didn’t feel right for you. Perhaps, you’ve read a book about it or scrolled through one too many “eat what you want!” posts that left you more confused than confident. If it still feels hard—if you’re wondering,“Is this even working for me?”—nutritional counseling can help you understand and implement intuitive eating in a way that works for you. Most people come to intuitive eating not because they’re trying to be trendy, but because they’re tired. Tired of having to overthink their food choices or under societal pressure to do it “right”.

It’s exhausting feeling as if you’re constantly bouncing between restriction and guilt. It’s no surprise if you’re feeling confused! After years of mixed messages, it’s tough to figure out what really feels right for your body. Here’s the thing: intuitive eating isn’t something you “master.” It’s not a checklist or a goal to crush. Rather, it’s a relationship to foster. A connection with your body, your signals, your values. And like any relationship, it takes time, patience, and support. That’s where we come in. With nutritional counseling in Raleigh, NC, you don’t have to navigate this alone. We’re here to help.

Why Intuitive Eating Feels So Hard (And Why You’re Not Doing It Wrong)

For years, you’ve probably been told not to trust your own body. Eat at this time. Finish your plate. Don’t eat that. Stick to the plan. So when someone says, “Just listen to your body,” it can feel like trying to speak a language you haven’t used in forever. That’s normal. If hunger and fullness signals feel unclear, it doesn’t mean something’s wrong with you. And if you’re not even sure what satisfaction means anymore, that’s okay too. It just means your body and your relationship with food could use a little extra care. That’s exactly what we’ll focus on together in nutrition counseling.

Intuitive eating is about coming back to your body’s wisdom. Your body knows what it wants and needs, and it’s up to you to listen to those signals. That means tuning into hunger, fullness, and satisfaction. But don’t forget about the context, emotions, environment, and access. It’s not a hunger/fullness food plan or about ignoring nutrition. And it’s also not about “proving” to anyone, even yourself, that you’ve broken free from chronic dieting.

It’s about pausing and asking yourself: “What do I need in this moment?” or “What would truly nourish me?” Not just physically, but emotionally too. And doing that without guilt, shame, or outside rules. And yes, gentle nutrition is a part of intuitive eating. But it doesn’t come first. It comes after we’ve made space for permission, curiosity, and attunement. Because nutrition isn’t the full picture, you are.

Can Intuitive Eating Actually Work for You?

Let’s be honest: this question often shows up after someone has tried intuitive eating and still doesn’t feel confident. Maybe you’ve been told to “just eat when you’re hungry,” but you’re not sure you even feel hunger. Or maybe you find yourself constantly reaching for the same foods and wondering if you’re doing something wrong. This isn’t a sign that intuitive eating doesn’t work. It’s a sign that you need more support, real, personalized support. Not advice from Instagram or “eat like me” meal breakdowns. Support that takes you into account. Your history, identity, and body. That’s what you get when you work with a registered dietitian who understands that nutrition isn’t just about what’s on your plate. It’s about your relationship to food, your body, and your life.

What Working with a Registered Dietitian in Raleigh, NC Actually Looks Like

Maybe you’re hesitant to work with a registered dietitian because you don’t know what that entails. You’re used to seeing your PCP and having weigh-ins. Or you’re asked to do meal logs or try tracking apps. At Nutritious Thoughts, that’s not what it is at all. It’s just a real conversation. We might explore what hunger feels like in your body. Or, we might unpack why a certain food feels emotionally charged. Also, we might talk about how stress shows up in your appetite, or how your childhood shaped your food beliefs.

We’ll meet you wherever you are, whether that’s eating one consistent meal a day or wondering why satisfaction feels out of reach. Nutritional counseling in Raleigh, NC isn’t about fixing you. It’s about reconnecting you to your own cues and values. And if you’re navigating health concerns, like diabetes or GI issues, we can work those into the conversation, too! All without shame or rigid plans.

The Messy Middle Is Still Part of the Process

Some days you’ll feel really connected to your body. Other days, food might still feel complicated. That’s okay. That doesn’t mean intuitive eating isn’t for you. It just means you’re human, and this work takes time. If you feel like you’ve tried intuitive eating and it didn’t “stick,” that doesn’t mean it failed. It probably means the support wasn’t built around you. You deserve more than generic advice, you deserve care that considers your whole story.

You’re Allowed to Want Something Different

If you’re here, chances are you’re already craving something different. Something more sustainable, more supportive, and more compassionate. You’re tired of fighting your body. You’re tired of food being a project. And you’re allowed to want peace. At Nutritious Thoughts, we offer nutritional counseling in Raleigh, NC that centers you. Your pace, values, and body. Our work is weight-inclusive, trauma-informed, LGBTQIA+ affirming, and rooted in respect. Because you’re the expert on your body, we’re just here to help you listen to it again. Intuitive eating doesn’t promise perfection. But it does offer a way back to yourself. And we’re here when you’re ready to start.

Ready to Try Intuitive Eating with a Registered Dietitian in Raleigh, NC?

What if food didn’t have to feel so complicated? What if you didn’t have to figure it out alone? At Nutritious Thoughts, we offer nutrition counseling rooted in intuitive eating—without rules, guilt, or pressure. Our team of compassionate registered dietitians supports you in building trust with your body and finding a way of eating that actually works for your life.

With offices in Asheville, Hendersonville, Cary/Raleigh, and virtual services across North Carolina, our care is accessible no matter where you are. Whether you’re just starting to explore intuitive eating or you’re looking for guidance to deepen your practice, we’re here to walk with you.

Contact us at (828) 333-0096 or email us at info@nutritious-thoughts.com
Tell us more about yourself
You deserve support that meets you where you are—and helps you come home to yourself.

Expanded Counseling Services at Nutritious Thoughts

A smiling young woman holds a nourishing bowl of soup and bread, symbolizing the confidence and ease that can come from working with a registered dietitian in Raleigh, NC and receiving personalized nutrition counseling in Raleigh, NC.

How a Registered Dietitian Supports You in Intuitive Eating—Without Food Rules or Pressure

Written by Kendra Gaffney on May 15, 2025. Posted in Articles, Body Image, Education. 4 Comments on How a Registered Dietitian Supports You in Intuitive Eating—Without Food Rules or Pressure

If you’ve ever found yourself saying, “I want to trust my body, but I just don’t know how,” you’re not alone. Many people come to intuitive eating feeling worn down. It’s tiring to second-guess whether your meal is as nutritious as the recipe claims, or being told to follow the latest food trends. Honestly, you’re probably tired of food feeling like a source of stress instead of connection. You’ve probably tried intuitive eating on your own and have read the books, done the research, and thought it through. But it still feels hard. You can’t tell if you’re listening to your hunger cues or emotionally eating. Then there’s the cravings. You know they’re normal, but what do they mean? Intuitive eating is personal, and following generalized advice from books or others’ experiences might not be enough to make it truly work for you. Working with a registered dietitian can help you see that intuitive eating isn’t about being perfect. It’s a process, a journey to reconnect with your body and find your way back to yourself.

Why Intuitive Eating Feels So Hard (And Why That Makes Sense)

We’re rarely told to trust our bodies. In fact, most of us were taught the opposite. We learned to question them, ignore their signals, and rely on outside cues instead. Like eating because it’s “time” or finishing your plate even if you’re already full. Over time, it gets harder to really hear what your body wants or needs. So when someone says, “Just listen to your body,” it’s no wonder it feels confusing. You’re not on the same wavelength anymore, you can’t quite understand the signals or know how to respond.

Reconnecting with your body takes time. Your relationship with food and your body is layered—it’s shaped by your experiences, cultural messages, expectations you didn’t choose, and so much more. Rebuilding that trust isn’t an overnight fix. It’s about noticing, softening, and slowly reconnecting. And it’s not a sign of failure, it’s part of being human. That’s why nutrition counseling can help clear the confusion and remind you that this process isn’t meant to happen all at once.

What Intuitive Eating Really Is (and Isn’t)

Intuitive eating isn’t about throwing structure out the window, it’s about trusting yourself. It’s about listening to what your body needs (whether that’s physical, emotional, or sensory) and responding with care. It’s not about following strict rules or trying to eat a certain way due societal expectations. Instead, it’s about combining basic nutrition with how food actually feels for you. It’s about figuring out what fuels your energy, lifts your mood, and keeps you satisfied, without any guilt or judgment.

When you’re feeling stuck or unsure where to begin, a registered dietitian in Asheville, NC or a registered dietitian in Raleigh, NC can be a great resource. Together, you can work on making eating feel more connected to your values and needs. This might mean sharing a snack during a session, trying out recipes or cooking tips, finding movement that feels good, or just talking through whatever’s on your mind. A registered dietitian can clear up all the confusion around nutrition and health. They’ll give you straightforward, evidence-based advice to help you make the best choices for your unique needs. Because it’s a personalized approach, not a one-size-fits-all plan.

How a Registered Dietitian Supports Intuitive Eating Without Rules

Nutrition counseling at Nutritious Thoughts in Asheville and Raleigh, NC isn’t about strict rules or one-size-fits-all advice. It’s about creating a space to pause, reflect, and truly listen to what your body needs. Curious about what that might look like?

Getting Curious Instead of Controlling

There’s no rigid list of foods to eat or avoid here. Instead, you’ll work with your registered dietitian to notice patterns. What makes you feel calm and grounded? What triggers stress around eating? When does your body crave certain foods or lean into emotional eating? You’ll work together to tune into your body’s signals and unpack the habits and beliefs you’ve formed around food. Whether it’s messages from childhood, cultural pressures, or the food options you had access to. Then? You will learn ways to navigate these triggers and make choices that align with YOUR values, needs and goals.

Personalizing Support Based on You

There’s no single “right” way to eat, and that’s why one-size-fits-all nutrition advice often doesn’t work. Your relationship with food is personal, and it deserves to be treated that way. Generic meal plans and diet culture doesn’t take into account your unique needs, goals, or preferences. That’s why we’re all about personalized support that prioritizes you. Nutrition counseling is about meeting you where you are while also honoring cultural foods, working with sensory preferences, and making room for your emotions. Together, we’ll find what works for your life, your goals, and what truly matters to you.

Integrating Gentle Nutrition—When You’re Ready

Nutrition education is helpful, but it’s not always the first step. Chances are, you already know the basics and what’s typically recommended. But what does gentle, personalized nutrition actually look like? It’s not about cutting out the foods you love or following strict rules that don’t take you, as a whole, into consideration. It’s about balance and creating habits that feel good and last. It means tuning into your body’s hunger and fullness cues, enjoying meals that satisfy you, and including all food groups in a way that works for you. Simple, sustainable, and stress-free.

Embracing Mindful Eating

Once you start tuning into your body’s signals, we can explore what truly nourishes you. Maybe it’s noticing which foods keep your energy steady or which meals feel the most satisfying. In sessions, this might mean eating a snack together. As you eat, your dietitian might ask: How does it feel? What does it taste like—sweet, salty, sour? Take your time with your food. Savor it, enjoy it, and let it truly satisfy you. It’s a simple way to show your body you’re listening and giving it what it needs.

Holding Space for the Messiness

Intuitive eating isn’t about being perfect. Some days it’ll feel easy, and other days it might feel totally out of reach, and that’s okay. At Nutritious Thoughts, we’re here to help you work through those moments without shame or pressure. We’re all about self-compassion and body acceptance, and we know breaking away from diet culture can be messy. Intuitive eating isn’t a straight path, and it’s normal for it to take time. We get it, and we’re here to support you every step of the way.

What You Won’t Be Told to Do

No need to log meals, count calories, or cut out your favorite foods. That kind of stress doesn’t help you truly nourish your body or rebuild a relationship with food. Instead, we focus on tuning into your body’s natural hunger and fullness signals, honoring your cravings, and finding what works best for YOU. Everyone’s journey is different, and that’s exactly how it should be. When you work with a registered dietitian in Asheville, NC or registered dietitian in Raleigh, NC, you’ll get support and respect, not judgment. You know your body best. We’re here to help you trust and honor that.

Nutrition counseling is all about finding what truly works for you—what nourishes your body, mind, and soul. In a world that pulls you in every direction, it’s easy to lose touch with yourself. That’s why we’ve created a space where you can tune out the noise and reconnect with your inner wisdom. Together, we’ll practice asking: What do I need right now? What feels good? What helps me feel at home in my own skin? Because these things usually get overlooked when diet culture and societal standards are constantly in your face.

You Don’t Have to Figure It Out Alone

Intuitive eating doesn’t have to feel so hard, and struggling with it doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong—it means you might need some support. At Nutritious Thoughts, we’re here to help. Our team of registered dietitians offers compassionate, flexible, and curious guidance to help you reconnect with your body. Nutrition counseling in Asheville, NC or nutrition counseling in Raleigh, NC isn’t about controlling your eating, it’s about learning to trust yourself again. Together, we’ll help you find a way of eating that feels good, not because of rules, but because it reflects care. You deserve to feel at ease with food, and we’re here when you’re ready.

Intuitive Eating Support with Nutrition Counseling in Cary/Raleigh, Asheville, Hendersonville, and Throughout NC

Everyone needs support sometimes, especially when you’ve been taught to ignore your body’s natural cues and trust external rules for eating. At Nutritious Thoughts, we offer nutrition counseling that is rooted in the principles of intuitive eating. Our team of compassionate and knowledgeable registered dietitians can help you learn to trust your body and make food choices that support your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. There are no set expectations, just a space for exploration and empowerment.

With offices in Asheville, Hendersonville, Cary/Raleigh, and virtual services across North Carolina, we make nutrition counseling easy and accessible wherever you are. Whether you’re curious about intuitive eating, ready to get started with it, or anywhere in between, our registered dietitians are here to support you every step of the way. So, why wait? Take the first step:

Contact us at (828) 333-0096 or email us at info@nutritious-thoughts.com
Tell us more about yourself
You can reconnect with your body’s signals and begin making food choices that feel grounded, confident, and truly your own.

Expanded Counseling Services at Nutritious Thoughts

Three friends laughing and enjoying a meal together at a restaurant, illustrating the connection between food and social well-being. Support from a registered dietitian in Raleigh, NC through nutrition counseling in Raleigh, NC can help reduce meal anxiety and bring ease back to eating in social settings.

Struggling with Meal Anxiety? How Nutrition Counseling Can Help You Eat with Confidence Again

Written by Kendra Gaffney on April 15, 2025. Posted in Articles, Body Image. 3 Comments on Struggling with Meal Anxiety? How Nutrition Counseling Can Help You Eat with Confidence Again

So many of us have been taught to think about food in rigid, rule-based terms. Eat this, not that. Follow these macros. Avoid emotional eating. Control your cravings. The messages come from everywhere. Social media, books, well-meaning doctors, and even friends and family. Over time, it gets to you. The thought of eating makes you nervous. Will there be anything you actually like? Is it even going to feel nourishing? Are you going to feel guilty for enjoying it? Here’s the thing: food is supposed to nourish you, body and mind. It should bring joy, satisfaction, and comfort. When worry takes over, it steals those good moments. Meal anxiety isn’t your fault. The way our culture talks about food makes it so hard to trust yourself and listen to your own needs with care. While society may place a lot of pressure on what we eat, it’s important to listen to your body and make choices that are right for you. That’s where nutrition counseling can help. Nutrition counseling in Raleigh, NC, is all about creating space. It’s not about “fixing” your eating habits or forcing change. It’s about slowing down, tuning in to what you’re feeling, and building a kinder, more balanced connection with food and your body. This way, you can feel the meal anxiety but address it with self-compassion, making choices that align with your values and goals.

Why Is Meal Anxiety So Common and Often Ignored?

At first, meal anxiety can be hard to spot. It might show up as overthinking what to eat, stressing about making the “right” choice, or worrying about other people’s opinions. Maybe you feel disconnected during meals or panic when your routine changes. For some, it’s that constant feeling that no food choice is ever good enough. It’s that anxious feeling when you’re trying a new restaurant, testing out new foods, or even just figuring out what to cook at home. It happens more often than we admit, but it’s easy to overlook because diet culture has such a strong hold on how we think about food.

At the core of it all is a common theme, which is feeling out of touch with your body’s signals and needs. And the world around us? It often normalizes, or even celebrates, that disconnection. Nutrition often gets treated like a checklist to manage, but when it turns into a bunch of rules, eating can feel more stressful than supportive. That’s where nutrition counseling in Raleigh, NC, comes in. It helps you tune out the noise and reconnect with a way of eating that feels sustainable and aligned with you. Because you’re the expert on your own experience and body, and you deserve to feel supported in your relationship with food and your well-being.

Reclaiming the Conversation Around Food

In nutrition counseling, one of the first things we do is take a closer look at the ideas and beliefs you’ve picked up about food, your body, and what “nourishment” should mean. We explore the rules you might be following without even realizing it. These can be rules you didn’t choose but were taught, like “Only eat when you’re hungry” or “Food is just fuel.” Thoughts like “I need to control emotional eating” or “Certain foods are bad and should be avoided” can quietly shape how you see yourself and your choices. These beliefs can feel so normal, so automatic, that we don’t even notice them until we stop and reflect. But are they really asking with your well-being in mind? Are they considering what you truly need and want?

These messages can create a lot of internal conflict. Even when you try to eat intuitively, the background noise of judgment and pressure can make it hard to hear what your body is actually asking for. Nutrition counseling gives you space to examine those messages—not to judge them, but to understand where they came from and how they might be shaping your current experience. And from there, we can start to rebuild your relationship with food based on what actually feels good to you.

What Nutrition Counseling Can Look Like (It’s Not a Meal Plan)

Working with a registered dietitian in Raleigh, NC, isn’t about being handed a list of dos and don’ts. It’s about meeting you where you are, building trust, and working together at a pace that feels right for you. That might mean talking about the spaces where you feel more at ease with food or unpacking the anxiety that comes up in social situations. We could use mindfulness to help you stay present or lean on DBT skills to manage those intense moments. It’s all about creating a space that supports you and your unique journey.

Sometimes, we might even share a snack during a session. This is not to test you but to slow down and notice what comes up together. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach here because you aren’t one-size-fits-all. We move at your pace, intentionally and thoughtfully. Building confidence with food isn’t about forcing yourself through discomfort. It’s about finding ways to feel more prepared and supported. For example, we can come up with plans like checking menus ahead of time before eating out so you’re comfortable with the options and don’t feel anxious about making a decision on the spot. It’s all about creating space for self-awareness and giving you the tools to feel more at ease.

Unlearning Cultural Pressure, Relearning Body Trust

Most nutrition advice out there is all about control. Eat less of what you love. Follow a restrictive diet based on outdated stereotypes. Ignore what your body actually needs. Instead of building trust with your body, these messages just pile on shame and guilt about food. Let’s take a step back. Nutrition counseling offers a fresh perspective. Together, we’ll explore where these ideas come from and how they’ve shaped the way you see food. We’ll ask questions like:

What does nourishment mean to you—beyond what the culture says?
What food beliefs feel inherited versus truly aligned?
How do you want to feel before, during, and after eating?

You are the expert on your own body, even if that expertise has been quieted or overshadowed by outside voices. Nutrition counseling doesn’t replace that knowledge, it helps you tune back into it. With steady support and space for reflection, you can begin to hear your body’s wisdom again. Not through pressure or perfection, but through a process that honors your pace and your lived experience.

Reconnecting with Your Body’s Intuition

Your body is always communicating with you. It could tell you when it’s hungry, when it’s full, and what it might need at that moment. But when anxiety or disordered eating patterns get in the way, it’s easy to ignore those signals and rely on outside rules to decide what or how much to eat. Over time, this can leave you feeling disconnected from your body and its natural intuition. That’s why the focus is on tuning out the noise of external rules and learning to trust your body’s signals again. It’s all about easing meal stress and rebuilding that connection with yourself.

It’s a process, and sometimes it feels slow or frustrating, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. We’ll start by exploring how different foods make you feel. Together, we’ll focus on learning your hunger and fullness cues without any judgment and try out what works best for your body. Over time, you’ll start making choices from a place of trust instead of fear or pressure. There’s no pressure to change overnight, but every step towards a more positive relationship with food is worth celebrating. Plus, your registered dietitian will be there and give you room to explore and reconnect with the part of you that already knows how to care for yourself.

Reclaiming the Way You Relate to Food and Yourself

Nutrition counseling is all about changing the narrative, how you see food, nutrition, and, most importantly, yourself. It’s not about following diet culture or trying to change yourself, it’s about building a more positive foundation for your relationship with food and your body. Because emotional eating isn’t something to feel guilty about, and craving comfort or ease doesn’t mean something’s wrong. Food is so much more than fuel. It’s memories, culture, connection, and care. Let’s honor that.

Nutrition counseling is about shifting the way you relate to food, your body, and the stories you’ve been told about both. It’s not about perfect eating or controlling your cravings. Rather, it’s about stepping away from all-or-nothing thinking and moving toward something more sustainable, more kind. Together with a registered dietitian in Raleigh, NC, you’ll have space to explore intuitive eating in a way that actually fits your life. Not as another to-do list, but as a practice of self-awareness and self-respect. This work isn’t about following new food rules. It’s about reconnecting with your own cues, making room for comfort and satisfaction, and creating a relationship with food that reflects your values, not the ones diet culture handed you.

You’re Allowed to Nourish Yourself with Confidence and Ease

It’s easy to feel like nutrition is wrapped up in stress, guilt, or the constant pressure to eat a certain way. But here’s the truth: it doesn’t have to stay that way. You deserve to have a relationship with food that feels natural, flexible, and free from all that noise. You’re allowed to tune into what your body really wants and needs without second-guessing yourself. And you’re allowed to nourish yourself in a way that feels good, without shame or rules holding you back. Plus, here’s the best part: you don’t have to figure it all out on your own. Let’s take this journey together, one step at a time, toward a kinder approach to food and your body.

Compassionate Support with Nutrition Counseling in Cary/Raleigh, Asheville, Hendersonville, & Across NC

Food is personal, and there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. At Nutritious Thoughts, we offer nutrition counseling that puts you in the driver’s seat. It’s about trusting your body, honoring your experiences, and exploring what works for you. No rules, no pressure. Just support, curiosity, and a chance to reconnect with what truly feels right.

With offices in Asheville, Hendersonville, Cary/Raleigh, and virtual services across North Carolina, we make nutrition counseling easy and accessible wherever you are. Whether you’re curious about intuitive eating, overwhelmed by diet culture, or just looking for a more balanced relationship with food, our registered dietitians are here to support you every step of the way. So, why wait? Take the first step:

Contact us at (828) 333-0096 or email us at info@nutritious-thoughts.com
Tell us more about yourself
You’re allowed to want something gentler. Let’s start there—no guilt, no shame, no pressure.

Expanded Counseling Services at Nutritious Thoughts

A woman enjoys an ice cream cone at a dessert shop, embracing a balanced approach to eating. Explore nutritional counseling in Raleigh, NC, and support from a dietitian in Hendersonville, NC for a stress-free relationship with food.

How Nutrition Counseling Helps You Navigate Emotional Eating Without Shame

Written by Kendra Gaffney on March 15, 2025. Posted in Articles, Eating Disorder Recovery, Education, Self Care. 3 Comments on How Nutrition Counseling Helps You Navigate Emotional Eating Without Shame

Emotional eating gets a bad reputation and is often thought of as a negative thing. Blogs, books, and even other medical professionals often talk about it as something to be controlled, stopped, or overcome. They tell you to “stop stress eating” or “control emotional eating”. As if the act of finding comfort in food is something to be ashamed of. Yet, food and emotions are deeply connected. They can remind you of home, provide solace during difficult times, and even bring people together. So, why is this made out to be a bad thing? Nutrition counseling offers a way to explore these connections without shame—and without trying to “fix” something that isn’t broken.

The idea that eating should only be about fueling your body, never for comfort, joy, or connection? That just doesn’t reflect how we actually live. Food is a part of your memories, our daily experiences. Even your body can crave certain foods to help you feel better. That’s why nutrition counseling can be so helpful in navigating emotional eating without shame. Nutrition counseling gives you a safe space to dive into your emotional eating. Without any judgment or the need to “fix” anything. It allows you to better understand your patterns. But it also allows you to unpack the deeper reasons behind them, and develop a more attuned relationship with food. One that honors both your body and emotions.

Creating a Safe Space to Explore Emotional Eating

One of the most powerful aspects of nutrition counseling is that it’s not about restriction, guilt, or control. It’s about understanding, validation, and empowerment, all in a space that’s free of judgment. Often people don’t talk about their emotional eating because of the shaming and judgmental messages around it. It makes sense that you would fear talking about this. Especially when you’re constantly told that it’s “wrong” or that you just need more willpower. But the reality is that emotional eating is a coping mechanism. And like any other coping mechanism, it needs to be understood and addressed in a supportive way. Plus, food isn’t just fuel to our bodies. It has cultural, social, and emotional significance, especially during difficult times. And, it can be a big part of how you care for yourself.

Nutrition counseling gives you the space to talk with a registered dietitian. It gives you the time and space to be curious about the reasons behind your emotional eating. Together, you can begin to recognize what’s happening beneath the surface when you reach for food in response to emotions. Maybe your emotional eating has been your way of coping with stress, anxiety, or loneliness. Or maybe it’s been a form of self-soothing that’s helped you feel safe and comforted in the past. Whatever the reason, instead of focusing on stopping emotional eating, counseling helps you explore why it’s happening. Along with what your body and mind are truly asking for.

Understanding the Root of Emotional Eating

Emotional eating isn’t just about the food. It’s about how you connect with yourself. Everything in life is a relationship, and food is no different. When you turn to food for emotional reasons, it’s a way of trying to fulfill an unmet need or soothe uncomfortable emotions. This could be due to past experiences, beliefs about yourself and food, or simply not having the tools to cope with difficult emotions. But with the support and guidance of a registered dietitian or nutritionist, you can dig deep and uncover the root causes of your emotional eating. Then, you start addressing the underlying issues instead of focusing solely on the food aspect. When you’re working with your registered nutritionist in counseling, you can unpack your relationship with food by reflecting on questions like:

What feelings usually trigger emotional eating for you?
How did your relationship with food develop as you grew up?
When you eat for comfort, what emotions are you trying to soothe or avoid?
Are you listening to your hunger cues during the day, or are restrictions causing you to turn to food later on?

In a safe, supportive space, you can start shifting from guilt to understanding. Emotional eating isn’t a failure on your part nor is it wrong. It’s a signal from your body that something isn’t right and needs to be addressed. This can be a signal that something deeper, like stress, exhaustion, or loneliness, needs your attention and care. By exploring the root of your emotional eating, you can develop a stronger sense of self-awareness and work towards making choices that truly align with nourishing your mind and body.

Moving Away from Diet Culture & Shame

Ever been told to “just have more discipline” or “cut out trigger foods”? That’s diet culture talking. It makes emotional eating seem like a flaw. It says eating when you’re not physically hungry is bad. That finding comfort in food is wrong. That resisting cravings and cutting out certain foods will somehow “fix” everything. Yet, here’s the thing, taking away food doesn’t take away the need your body has for comfort and nourishment. It only adds more pressure and shame, leading to a vicious cycle of restriction followed by bingeing. If you’ve been turning to food for emotional comfort, trying to restrict it will only make things harder. The goal of nutrition counseling isn’t to control your eating, it’s to help you reconnect with your body in a way that feels safe and supported.

That’s why our approach focuses on curiosity, not control. Instead of viewing emotional eating as a problem to be solved, we see it as a conversation your body is having with you. Nutrition counseling can help you break free from the guilt that often comes with emotional eating and replace it with self-compassion. Society tells you this is something to feel guilty about or that it’s “wrong”. But in reality, emotional eating can be a form of self-care. It’s a way to cope with difficult emotions and provide comfort when you need it most.

By acknowledging this and treating yourself with kindness, you can begin to transform your relationship with food. That’s why we start by recognizing the patterns. When and why do you turn to food for emotional reasons? What emotions are you trying to cope with? By bringing awareness to these triggers, we can work towards finding coping mechanisms that work for you and your lifestyle while still nourishing your body. It’s not about eliminating emotional eating altogether, but rather finding balance and creating a positive relationship with food and your body.

It’s not about restricting certain foods or labeling them as “bad”.

Often, other medical professionals, social media influencers, and diet trends may promote restrictive diets or labeling certain foods as “bad”. However, food is not a moral issue, and we do not believe in restrictive eating. Our approach to nutrition counseling is rooted in the belief that all foods can fit into your lifestyle. We encourage you to listen to your body’s cues and honor its cravings, while also incorporating nutrient-dense foods to nourish your body. By removing the guilt and shame associated with food, you can begin to make choices that truly serve your body’s needs. We believe in empowering individuals to trust their bodies and make informed decisions about their health.

Our goal is to empower you and provide tools for long-term success. This is why at Nutritious Thoughts our team of registered dietitians encourage a non-diet approach that focuses on intuitive eating and honoring your body’s natural cues. This means listening to your body’s signals of hunger and fullness, rather than following strict rules or restricting certain foods. We also believe in incorporating joyful movement and finding ways to enjoy physical activity, rather than viewing it as a punishment for food choices.

The Role of Attuned Eating in Emotional Well-Being

Attuned eating is all about tuning into your body’s cues, respecting both your physical and emotional needs, and ditching those external food rules. It’s a key part of nutrition counseling that helps you rebuild trust with your body. You learn to trust that your body knows what it needs, that all foods can fit into your life, and that emotions don’t have to take over. Attuned eating shifts the focus away from labeling foods as “good” or “bad” and instead asks, what feels nourishing and supportive right now?

It’s about learning to tell the difference between emotional and physical hunger, but also about allowing yourself to eat emotionally without guilt. Emotional eating isn’t inherently harmful, it only becomes an issue when it’s the only tool you have to cope. We know this can be a vulnerable process, and it’s so important to create a safe, supportive space for you to explore your relationship with food and body image. Emotional eating and curiosity are closely connected, which is why building trust with your nutrition counselor matters so much.

Diet culture has taught us to feel guilt and shame around food, but in nutrition counseling, the focus is on creating a relationship where you feel seen, heard, and understood. We’re not here to give you a list of rules or tell you what to eat. Instead, we’re here to offer an open, supportive space where you can explore your relationship with food without fear of judgment. This is a place to share your experiences with emotional eating, get guidance tailored to your unique needs (not some one-size-fits-all diet advice), and feel supported as you move at your own pace. Healing your relationship with food isn’t about willpower or discipline—it’s about creating safety around food, noticing patterns with curiosity, and building coping skills that truly work for you.

Finding Peace in Your Relationship with Food

Emotional eating doesn’t have to feel like a constant struggle, and it’s definitely not something you need to “fix” or feel bad about. Instead, it can be a chance to pause, reflect, and discover what you really need in a way that feels nourishing and satisfying. If you’re ready to build a healthier relationship with food, one based on self-trust, awareness, and compassion, nutrition counseling in Raleigh & throughout North Carolina can help. We’re here to guide you through emotional eating without judgment, so you can feel more confident, clear, and at ease. Because food should be about self-care, not self-criticism. You deserve support that truly helps you take care of yourself, mind, body, and soul.

Compassionate Support for Emotional Eating Through Nutrition Counseling in Cary/Raleigh, Asheville, Hendersonville, and Across North Carolina

Emotional eating isn’t something to “fix”, rather it’s something to understand. At Nutritious Thoughts, our registered dietitians and nutrition counselors help you explore your relationship with food in nutrition counseling, which is a non-judgmental space, free from diet culture. Instead of shame, we focus on compassion, curiosity, and lasting change that honors your needs. With locations in Asheville, Hendersonville, and Cary/Raleigh, plus telehealth services across North Carolina, we make accessible, shame-free support available wherever you are. Whether you’re untangling emotional eating, chronic dieting, or just want a healthier relationship with food, we’re here to walk alongside you. So why wait? Take the first step towards a healthier relationship:

Contact us at (828) 333-0096 or email us at info@nutritious-thoughts.com
Tell us more about yourself
You deserve a relationship with food that feels safe, intuitive, and free from guilt.

Tag: Nutrition Counseling

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Mindful eating is NOT

x a restrictive or rigid eating plan

x about eating perfectly or about eating in complete silence, with no distractions

x about judging what or how much you’re eating, compared to yesterday’s you or the

person eating next to you

x doesn’t involve complex rules or calculations

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Sharing with you some of my ideas on how to sustainably eat meals and snacks in a more mindful manner.

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