Body Image Nutrition Therapy and Treatment in the St. Louis Area, Missouri, and Illinois

Restore your Relationship with Food and Body with a Body Image Registered Dietitian Nutritionist

How is body image related to nutrition?

Body image can play a big role in how someone nourishes themselves based on how they feel in their skin. Someone with poor body image may struggle to fuel themselves properly in an attempt to control their weight or shape. In addition, they may avoid certain foods they deem “bad” or “unhealthy”, which can contribute to feeling icky or uncomfortable in their skin.

A negative body image can lead to chronic dieting, disordered eating behaviors, and, possibly, the development of an eating disorder. Our relationship with our bodies affects the way we feel about food and exercise, and it often affects our relationships with others. How we feel about our bodies is directly related to how we nourish our bodies. As dietitians who specialize in eating disorder nutrition therapy, we understand how complex this relationship can be.

As weight-inclusive, non-diet dietitian nutritionists, we can work with you to help you improve your relationship with your body, learning to respect and value it. This is the foundation for healing from disordered eating behaviors and eating disorders.

Schedule (Missouri Residents)

Schedule (Illinois Residents)

What factors influence how people define their body image?

How we feel about our bodies is complex. Factors that influence our body image include:

The media - movies, magazines, and social media.
Family dynamics that support the idea that “thinner” or “smaller” equates to healthier.
Self-esteem
Peer influence, including comments made about a person's body can place pressure on the desire to look a certain way.
Bullying and teasing or trauma related to weight.
Developmental stages (puberty, menopause etc.)
Abuse or trauma
Physical activity

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What is the best way to improve body image?

With our outpatient treatment program for disordered eating and eating disorders, healing your relationship with food and body is a critical factor in recovery. Here are some ways to develop a healthier body image:

Work towards self-compassion.
Challenge negative thoughts.
Shift the focus from appearance and numbers to health and wellness.
Be actively critical of media and social media. (In fact, take a break from social media. Turn it off!)
Choose clothes that make you feel comfortable and beautiful.
Learn to navigate diet-obsessed people in your life.
Be active - do something you love (walking, skating, ping-pong etc.) Movement releases endorphins, making us feel good. (It's true! It's science!)

Cultivating a positive and accepting relationship with your body regardless of size, shape, or appearance is a journey that does not happen overnight. Work with one of the dietitians on our team to help you improve your relationship with food and body.

What is a HAES® nutritionist?

A HAES® nutritionist is one that supports Health at Every Size® focusing on the well-being of individuals regardless of their size or the number on the scale.

The Principles of HAES® are:

Healthcare is a human right for people of all sizes, including those at the highest end of the size spectrum.
Wellbeing, care, and healing are resources that are both collective and deeply personal.
Care is fully provided only when free from anti-fat bias and offered with people of all sizes in mind.
Health is a sociopolitical construct that reflects the values of society.

Our Team of Dietitian Nutritionists and Eating Disorder Specialists in the Greater St. Louis Area

Branz Nutrition Counseling is a team of certified eating disorder dietitians who provide compassionate care to those struggling with their relationship to food. Our approach is weight-inclusive, LGBTQIA+, and social justice-oriented, which means that we believe that everyone deserves access to quality care.

We can't wait to meet you!

With locations in Illinois and Missouri, we offer both virtual and in-person counseling sessions. And, we are licensed to provide Telehealth nutrition therapy to patients around the country.

We see clients in person in the St. Louis area, Missouri, Illinois, and from around the country via Telehealth. Learn more here.

How It Works - An Easy Three-Step Process to Get You on the Road to Recovery

Make An Appointment

What service do you need? Schedule a 15-minute discovery call, free of charge. It is a great way for a dietitian on our team to get to know you and your unique needs.

Meet with your Personal Dietitian

Be paired with the dietitian nutritionist on our team and get continued support with one of our online groups. One-on-one counseling, in-person, or virtual. WE TAKE INSURANCE!