Food-Related Themes

When working with clients on food and body concerns, our work often touches on related themes such as menopause, identity, perfectionism, people-pleasing, stress, and neuro-differences.

Below is a brief summary of some of these themes and how they may be connected to food and eating patterns.

  • Perfectionism, Self-Criticism & Your Relationship with Food

    You might recognise yourself here:

    You set high standards for yourself.
    You want to get things right.
    You can be hard on yourself when you don’t.

    Perhaps eating feels either “good” or “bad.”
    You may swing between strict control and giving up.
    You might believe that if you could just try harder, you’d finally fix it.

    How this links to food and body struggles

    Perfectionism often drives cycles of restriction, overeating, guilt, and renewed promises to do better.

    It can erode trust in yourself and make eating feel like a test you are constantly failing.

    How coaching can help

    Together we work gently to:

    • understand the function perfectionism has served

    • build more realistic, compassionate expectations

    • develop flexible, sustainable habits

    • rebuild trust in your body and decisions

    Change comes not from trying harder, but from relating to yourself differently.

    If this sounds familiar, you’re very welcome to book a free exploratory call.

  • Menopause, Midlife & Eating Patterns

    You might recognise yourself here:

    Your body is changing.
    What used to work no longer does.
    You may feel frustrated, worried, or out of control.

    Perhaps food has become more charged, or weight feels harder to manage.

    How this links to food and body struggles

    Hormonal, emotional, and identity shifts can increase anxiety, self-criticism, and urgency around eating.

    Many women blame themselves when in fact they are navigating enormous change.

    How coaching can help

    Our work can support you to:

    • understand what is happening physically and emotionally

    • respond rather than react

    • care for yourself without harshness

    • build habits that support energy, mood, and resilience

    The goal is self-care and self-trust, not control.

    You don’t have to navigate this alone. Book a free exploratory call.

  • Stress & Emotional Eating

    You might recognise yourself here:

    You are holding a lot.
    You are capable and responsible.
    And you are tired.

    Food may have become one of the few ways you get relief or comfort.

    How this links to food and body struggles

    When your nervous system is stretched, willpower disappears.
    Eating becomes soothing, numbing, or automatic.

    Trying to impose stricter rules usually increases the pressure.

    How coaching can help

    We focus on:

    • nervous system regulation

    • realistic support and recovery

    • sustainable boundaries

    • kinder internal dialogues

    From this place, eating patterns begin to settle naturally.

    If this resonates, I’d love to talk. Book a free call.

  • Neurodivergence & Your Relationship with Food

    You might recognise yourself here:

    You may have been described as sensitive, intense, driven, or easily overwhelmed.

    Perhaps you struggle with:

    • forgetting to eat and then becoming ravenous

    • eating for stimulation or comfort

    • difficulty with planning, shopping, or preparing food

    • strong preferences or aversions

    • all-or-nothing attempts to “get it right”

    • exhaustion from trying to keep up

    You might have a diagnosis, be exploring the possibility, or simply recognise that your brain works a little differently.

    How this can affect eating and self-trust

    When your nervous system is frequently overloaded, food can become regulation, relief, structure, or escape.

    Traditional advice often relies on willpower, consistency, or rigid plans — approaches that may not work well for a neurodivergent brain.

    Over time this can lead to shame, frustration, and the belief that you are failing.

    How coaching can help

    My practice is neuro-inclusive and trauma-informed.

    Together we can:

    • understand how your brain and nervous system influence eating

    • develop realistic, supportive structures

    • work with energy and capacity rather than against them

    • reduce shame and harsh self-judgment

    • build flexible habits that fit your life

    • strengthen interoception and emotional awareness

    The aim is not perfection.
    It is structure, understanding, and self-belief.

    If this feels familiar, you are welcome to book a free exploratory call to see if working together would be a good fit.