Body Image

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.

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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.

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Our Team of Dietitian Nutritionists 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.

Erica Branz

MS, RDN, LDN, CEDS

Founder and Registered Dietitian
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Brianna Becherer

MS, RDN, LDN, CPT

Registered Dietitian
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Gwendoline Balto

MS, RDN, LDN

Registered Dietitian
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Laura Bradfield

RDN, LDN

Registered Dietitian
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Kelly Houston

MS, RDN, LDN, CLC

Registered Dietitian
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Michelle Wilson

MS, RDN, LDN, CEDS-C, CIEC

Registered Dietitian
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Scroll to see the whole team.

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

Make An Appointment

What service do you need? We offer a range of appointments of different durations to best fit your 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!

Take Control of Your Life

Heal your relationship with food and your body. Choose the best foods for your unique needs. Get the tools you need to live a healthy life. Receive continued support.

Schedule for Missouri Residents

Schedule for Illinois Residents

Note: In order to secure a spot on a dietitian’s schedule, we need a valid payment method on file.

Our Testimonials

Thank you for choosing us as the Best Dietitian Practice in STL (2023)

There have been times where my daughter will eat 4 bowls of carrots and turn down a cookie, and there have been times where she will want all the fruit snacks and nothing else, but it doesn’t stress me out because I know now that it’s just what her body wants in the moment. The information provided in your course not only helps my kids, but also opened my eyes to some of my own internal struggles around sugar and meal times!"
My sister Gifted this program to me and I'm so glad she did! I've already gotten so much out of watching the modules and reading the PDFs."
Understanding and implementing the Division of Responsibility in Feeding really takes the pressure off meal times. I love sitting down to enjoy dinner with my family and I hope it’s a memory my kids enjoy when they’re older too."
Also, againg, thank you for being so kind to "A". She usually does not like seeing "doctor like people", but she actually enjoys coming to see you, so that says a lot.
by Mother of a Patient, Saint Louis, MO
I can't thank you enough for all you have done for us. I know we will continue to deal with food issues but at least I see hope. I honestly don't know how L(or myself) could have got through the past year without you. You literally are a lifesaver!! You are an amazing dietitian!!.
by Mother of a Patient
Thank you for the caring devoted service and gentle compassion you have shown "S" over the years.
by Mother of a Patient, Saint Louis, MO
I am truly grateful we found you to be he nutritionist. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
by Mother of a Patient, Saint Louis, MO
"For most of my life, I have correlated the size of my body to being loved and accepted. The smaller I am, the more lovable and acceptable I am. Giving up the dieting, the rules, and the noise has given me the freedom to trust, appreciate and accept love from others as well as myself".
by
I truly appreciate the encouragement and hearfelt, genuine concern you have for me. Your counsel and empathy have meant a great deal and helped keep me going during difficult times.
by C, Saint Louis, MO
Thanks for helping me think about food differently and providing guidance regarding how to select carbs. Also, thanks for helping me recognize that the evolution would take several months to come to a 'new normal'.
by E, Saint Louis, MO