Online Recovery Resources
Here is a collection of online resources to help support your recovery journey. Whether professional advice, guidance and inspiration from those who have been through it, or inspiring social media accounts by individuals working to counter diet culture and the mainstream beauty ideal, I hope you will find something inspiring and helpful here.
If you have any favourites that I have missed, I would love to know about them so I can add them to this page!
Free Yoga for Recovery (online & anonymous)
The Eating Disorder Foundation with Jamie Kuttenkuler
Led by our wonderful coach Jamie Kuttenkuler, this online yoga class is perfect for anyone, including beginners to yoga, and focuses on the mind-body connection.
Participants keep their videos turned off and do not need to use their real names so it's completely private and anonymous.
It takes place on the 2nd and 4th Monday of every month from 5-6pm Mountain Time. Please see the poster and click through to The Eating Disorder Foundation website for more details and to register.
Informational Websites & Helplines
The National Alliance for Eating Disorders
"The National Alliance for Eating Disorders (formerly The Alliance for Eating Disorders Awareness) is the leading national nonprofit organization providing referrals, education, and support individuals experiencing eating disorders and their loved ones. Since October 2000, we have worked tirelessly to raise awareness; eliminate secrecy and stigma; promote access to care; and support those susceptible to, currently experiencing, and recovering from eating disorders."
Multi-Service Eating Disorders Association
"We are the foremost eating disorders nonprofit organization in New England. We provide education about eating disorders and their underlying causes to develop a compassionate community that promotes hopefulness and supports healing. We offer a variety of services to support individuals and loved ones through the various stages of their journey. Through our network of Treatment Providers and Treatment Centers we connect clients with the best care for their needs. MEDA is the first step toward awareness and healing."
FEDUP: Fighting Eating Disorders in Underrepresented Populations
"FEDUP is a collective of trans+, intersex, and gender diverse people who believe eating disorders in marginalized communities are social justice issues. Our mission is to make visible, interrupt, and undermine the disproportionately high incidence of eating disorders in trans and gender diverse individuals through radical community healing, recovery institution reform, research, empowerment, and education."
"Nalgona Positivity Pride (NPP) is not your typical eating disorder organization. Instead, it is a groundbreaking grassroots movement dedicated to meeting the unique needs of Black, Indigenous, and communities of color (BICC) affected by eating disorders. By leveraging the power of digital media & grassroots education NPP has become a shining light of hope for those who have been left out of mainstream narratives of eating disorders and recovery. Founded in 2014 with the help of Riverside & Los Angeles communities, NPP has been on the front lines of creating visibility and resources for BICC folks who struggle with body image and eating disorders. Drawing on indigenous matriarchal wisdom and punk influences, Gloria has built a movement that empowers those who have been historically marginalized in the fight for body liberation & mental health equity. Refusing solely biomedicalized & oppressive healthcare, NPP is transforming the approach to eating disorder support using art, education, and activism. This new perspective challenges white cultural dominance and prioritizes cultural affirmation and community-building."
The National Eating Disorder Information Centre
"NEDIC focuses on awareness and the prevention of eating disorders, food and weight preoccupation, and disordered eating by promoting critical thinking skills and a healthy, balanced-lifestyle. We operate Canada’s only National Toll-Free Helpline providing information on treatment options and/or support to people across Canada either directly or indirectly affected by disordered eating and related concerns."
Helpline (Canada): NEDIC has a toll-free, confidential helpline available Monday to Friday from 9AM to 9PM EST. Trained support workers can offer information, resources, and referrals to professionals across Canada: 1-866-NEDIC-20 (1-866-633-4220).
The Association for Size Diversity and Health (ASDAH)
"As a non-profit organization with an international membership committed to the practice of the Health At Every Size® (HAES®) Principles, ASDAH envisions a world that celebrates bodies of all shapes and sizes, in which body weight is no longer a source of discrimination and where oppressed communities have equal access to the resources and practices that support health and well being. We provide ongoing opportunities for development, including educational resources, vetted referral opportunities, and an extensive network of like-minded advocates and professionals."
The Academy for Eating Disorders
"The Academy for Eating Disorders is a global professional association committed to leadership in eating disorders research, education, treatment, and prevention."
Their Medical Care Standards Guide, available in 11 languages, is a wonderful resource to bring to a general practitioner physician who you may need to see for a physical check-up but who is not trained in eating disorders.
"Project Heal is the largest US non-profit providing funds & recovery support for people suffering from eating disorders."
Learn about their Treatment Access Program, HEALers Circle, and the other innovative work they are doing to make eating disorder treatment more accessible and affordable.
F.E.A.S.T. (Families Empowered and Supporting Treatment of Eating Disorders)
"Families Empowered and Supporting Treatment of Eating Disorders is an international organization of and for parents and caregivers of eating disorder patients. F.E.A.S.T. serves families by providing information and mutual support, promoting evidence-based treatment, and advocating for research and education to reduce the suffering associated with eating disorders."
Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre
"The Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre is a provincial resource centre that provides mental health and substance use information, resources, help with system navigation, and peer support to children, youth and their families from across BC. We also provide resources and peer support to people of all ages with eating disorders or disordered eating concerns. Learn more about our Eating Disorders Peer Support Worker, as well as parent and youth peer support workers here. All of our services are free of charge, and you can reach us over the phone, in person, or through email."
Vancouver Island Voices for Eating Disorders
"Vancouver Island Voices for Eating Disorders has its roots in the Victoria Eating Disorder Peer Support Group that has been running in Victoria since 2015. Some of the issues and concerns that we encountered in group led us to the development of VIVED, which is meant to serve as an overarching umbrella to the peer group as well as other advocacy and and awareness projects in our community. We want to keep a dialogue about eating disorders and mental health issues ongoing. We want to spread awareness and create partnerships that help us improve the lives of those struggling with eating disorders. VIVED is registered as an official non-profit society in B.C. as of September 2018."
Podcasts
Food Psych Podcast
With Christy Harrison MPH, RD, CDN
"A weekly show dedicated to helping you make peace with food and break free from diet culture. In each episode, I talk with inspiring guests - including health and psychology professionals, anti-diet activists, and leaders in the body-positive movement - about their relationships with food, journeys to body image healing and fat acceptance, and experiences of recovery from weight stigma and eating disorders. This podcast calls out diet culture for the life thief that it is, and challenges it in all its sneaky forms - including the restrictive behaviors that often masquerade as wellness and fitness."
The Recovery Warrior Show
With Jessica Flint
"Motivation and inspiration for your journey to recovery from an eating disorder. Host Jessica Flint interviews recovery warriors and treatment professionals from around the world to get their unique perspective and advice on what it takes to heal your relationship to food and body. This show is for all types of eating disorders: anorexia, bulimia, binge eating, and disordered eating."
The Eating Disorder Recovery Podcast
With Dr. Janean Anderson
"The Eating Disorder Recovery Podcast is a show about the recovery process from eating disorders including anorexia, bulimia, binge eating, as well as disordered eating, emotional eating, dieting, and exercise addiction. The show is for anyone who would like to learn more about the psychology of eating disorders, make peace with food, improve their body image, and live authentically. The podcast explores how eating disorders work psychologically, what the recovery process looks like, and the cultural context of eating disorders. The show blends solo episodes with the host, Dr. Janean Anderson, and experts in the field including authors, speakers, dietitians, and treatment professionals."
Life. Unrestricted. Podcast
With Meret Boxler
"When is enough enough? If you are tired of hating your body, tired of counting calories, tired of feeling guilty for eating, tired of exercising obsessively, tired of negative self-talk, tired of living by other people’s rules? Welcome home. Welcome to the Life. Unrestricted. Podcast. Meret Boxler is a journalist and recovering exercise addict and lifetime dieter who found that "successfully keeping her weight down for 22 years" came at a high price: her health. She is talking to inspiring guests and experts who share their stories as well as their advice to help you on your journey from body negativity, disordered eating an unhealthy relationship to fitness and exercise to a more balanced approach to health, inner peace and self-acceptance."
Dietitians Unplugged
With Aaron Flores, RD and Glenys Oyston, RD
"Welcome to the Dietitians Unplugged Podcast with Aaron Flores and Glenys Oyston. Join us as we explore the idea of health and wellness from a new perspective. Each episode we will discuss topics that we hope to help you improve your health, body image and fitness without obsessing on the scale or counting calories. We believe in Health at Every Size®, Intuitive Eating, and body positivity and we want to help you build the confidence to ditch the scale, and embrace your health without shaming your body."
Body Kindness
With Rebecca Scritchfield, HAES Dietitian Nutritionist, Certified Exercise Physiologist, Well-Being & Body Image Advocate, Author
"This is not a weight loss show. This is about redefining what it means to pursue health, where your well-being matters more than your weight. When you practice Body Kindness®, you create a more satisfying life by being good to yourself. Learn how self-compassion and acceptance help you cultivate a “caregiver” voice and quiet the “inner critic”. Rebecca Scritchfield and her guests have interesting conversations about the cultural influences that keep you stuck in “diet prison” and how to break free to create meaningful changes in your life. Instead of dieting, you’ll practice self-care, including sleep, sex, having fun, and more!"
Eat the Rules
With Summer Innanen
"Eat the Rules is dedicated to empowering you to break free of societal standards, body shame and live life beyond the scale. Summer interviews the leading experts in body image, the anti-diet movement, self-help and intersectional feminism, covering a range of topics that include: body positivity, size acceptance, fat positivity, self-worth, self-esteem, intuitive eating and eating disorder recovery, health at every size and positive psychology. Summer also gives practical advice and shares personal experiences to help you accept your body and break free of diet culture. Summer Innanen is a professionally trained coach specializing in body image, self-worth and confidence and is the best-selling author of Body Image Remix."
The BodyLove Project
With Jessi Haggerti, RDN, CPT
"Welcome to The BodyLove Studio Podcast, I’m Jessi Haggerty a Registered Dietitian and Personal Trainer living in Boston and, your host! Each episode we’ll dive into a different topic where we dig deep to develop a healthier relationship with your diet and body. In a nutshell, this podcast is about loving your body. Whether it means learning how to nourish your body with food, movement, meditation, or positive self talk; my hope is to help listeners take one step closer to mending their relationship with food and their body, so they can show up for the parts of their life that matter most."
Eating Disorder Recovery Speakers
With Kristen Brunello, Recovery Coach
"Imagine your eating disorder only taking up 30% of your headspace. Imagine it taking up none. Life can get better. You can feel better. Hope and inspiration brought to you weekly by powerful recovery speakers. When Kristen got out of eating disorder residential treatment for the last time, she noticed a major gap in her care: among her treatment team there was no one saying, “I’ve been there. I get it. My life without my eating disorder is so full. Let me help you get there too.” As an eating disorder recovery coach, Kristen hopes to fill that gap. The Eating Disorder Recovery Speakers podcast is a platform for people to share their stories of eating disorder recovery."
You can listen to my episodes on Kristen's podcast here (my story) and here (our conversation).
End Eating Disorders Podcast
With Millie Thomas
"Across three seasons, endED has captured personal stories of hope and resilience, inviting shared resonance and discourse to dispel the myths and stigma surrounding Eating Issues and Eating Disorders. Each episode highlights conversations with lived and living individuals, families and carers, experts in the field of Eating Disorder support, care and treatment initiatives, and highlights current research initiates, such as the worlds largest Genetic Study, “The Eating Disorders Genetics Initiative (EDGI).” There is hope. Hosted by Eating Disorder Recovery Coach, Millie Thomas."
It's Good Sometimes
With Tammy Frederickson, RD and Lerin Oystryk, RD
For any parents or caregivers out there who want to give the children in their care the best start in terms of their relationship with food, this is a wonderful podcast by two of my dear friends and colleagues who are registered dietitians specializing in family feeding as well as eating disorders and disordered eating. Podcast description: "Welcome to It's Good Sometimes: a podcast for busy people who feed kids. We are Tammy and Lerin, Registered Dietitians, moms, and co-founders of On Solid Ground Nutrition. In this space we answer questions from and talk with people who, like you, are navigating the challenges that come with feeding kids. From power struggles and "picky" eaters, to building positive relationships with food and eating, we've got you covered."
Social Media
Body Positive & Fat Positive Instagram Accounts
Eating Disorder Recovery + Anti-Diet Culture Instagram Accounts
Recovery-Oriented Facebook Groups
Videos
Phone Apps
Recovery Record
Free for patients, but paid for clinicians linking with more than one patient.
"Recovery Record is a smart eating disorder recovery app that fits into your life and links with your treatment team to help you achieve lasting recovery. With Recovery Record you can: Keep a record of meals, thoughts and feelings • Access beautiful reflection images and affirmations • Customize log questions, meal plans, coping tactics and recovery goals • View charts that highlight insights, trends and progress • Collect jigsaw pieces to earn hidden rewards • Set personalized reminder schedules and alarm tones • Complete questionnaires to track your progress • Link with your treatment team • Receive in-the-moment feedback and messages from your treatment team • Receive and send encouragement messages and virtual gifts to/from other users."
Rise Up + Recover
Free.
"Based off self-monitoring homework, a cornerstone of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), we designed a convenient and user-friendly app that has been used millions of time around the world. With the Rise Up + Recover app you can: Log your meals, emotions and behaviors from the privacy of your mobile phone • Export PDF summaries of your Meal Log and Check-In to share with your treatment team • Set custom reminders to inspire you to keep moving forward • Rest assured that your personal information is protected behind a pass-code • Share motivational and inspirational quotes, images and affirmations • Access a wide range of resources to build a strong recovery warrior mindset • Find support and professional treatment nearby."
Insight Timer
Free, but in-app purchases available for increased features.
"The #1 free meditation app. Join millions learning to meditate on Insight Timer to help calm the mind, reduce anxiety, manage stress, sleep deeply and improve happiness. Guided meditations and talks led by the world’s top mindfulness experts, neuroscientists, psychologists and meditation teachers from Stanford, Harvard, Dartmouth and the University of Oxford. Music tracks from world-renowned artists. With 10+ new free guided meditations added daily, more meditation is practiced on Insight Timer than anywhere else. Great for both beginners and experienced practitioners."
Headspace
Free trial, then either monthly or annual subscription plan.
"Headspace is the simple way to reframe stress. Relax with guided meditations and mindfulness techniques that bring calm, wellness and balance to your life in just a few minutes a day. Plus, we have meditations on sleep to help you create the ideal conditions for a good night’s rest."
For Males Specifically
Males may feel like it's hard to find resources and literature that take into account their differing needs and experiences from those of females. Eating disorders are often still viewed as a female issue despite the fact that so many males suffer, even if at lower rates than females (at least according to what is reported).
According to The National Eating Disorders Association, males have a lifetime prevalence of .3% for anorexia nervosa, .5% for bulimia nervosa and 2% for binge eating disorder. These figures correspond to males representing 25% of individuals with anorexia and bulimia and 36% of those with binge eating disorder. Moreover, subclinical eating disordered behaviors (including binge eating, purging, laxative abuse and fasting for weight loss) are nearly as common among males as they are among females.
Below are some male-specific eating disorder resources. If you know of any others that you like, please let me know! I would love to include them on this page.
Eating Disorder & Body Image Podcast Episodes Featuring Males
- #126 Fearless Rebelle Radio with Summer Innanen: Gender Dysphoria & Body Image - Interview with Isaiah Bartlett
- #49 Fearless Rebelle Radio with Summer Innanen: The Fallacies Of Weight Control & Dieting - Interview With Chris Sandel
- #39 Fearless Rebelle Radio with Summer Innanen: Be An Imperfectionist - Interview With Alen Standish
- #65 Food Psych: Ditching Diets & Finding Health at Every Size with Aaron Flores
- #82 Food Psych: Intuitive Exercise & Overcoming Deprivation with Jonah Soolman
- #61 Nutrition Matters Podcast: A Millennial Man with Binge Eating Disorder
- #98 Nutrition Matters Podcast: A Male Perspective on Eating Disorders
- #68 Life. Unrestricted. Podcast: Jonah Soolman – Weight stigma, chronic dieting & over-exercise have adverse health effects
- #35 Life. Unrestricted. Podcast: Dan Lewin – A man turns his body image and weight issues around and helps others heal
- #27 Life. Unrestricted. Podcast: Thom Rutledge – Confronting the "inner Gremlin voice" and learning how to disobey it
- #19 Life. Unrestricted. Podcast: Aaron Flores – Are you sick of dieting and ready to break the vicious cycle?
- #13 Life. Unrestricted. Podcast: Chris Cole – A man makes peace with his body, mind, spirit and food
Male Body Positive Instagram Accounts
- @bigboysarecute
- @thebigfashionguy
- @guyoverboard
- @lordtroy
- @chubstr
- @thebigsartorialist
- @bear_skn
- @zachmiko
- @300poundsandrunning
For Family Members & Loved Ones
For books and other online resources for family members and loved ones of someone struggling with an eating disorder or disordered eating, I have gathered recommendations into a blog post here.
Books
For a list of books on eating disorder recovery, personal growth, self-help and other related topics that I have loved personally or have heard great things about, please visit my Books Page.