Transitioning to an Intuitive Eating Approach in Eating Disorder Recovery
Intuitive eating can play a major role in eating disorder recovery. For those struggling with eating disorders, the idea of finding freedom with food may seem unattainable at first. The rigid rules and constant battles with food can make it hard to believe that a peaceful relationship with eating is possible. However, Intuitive Eating offers…
Pros And Cons Of Family-Based Treatment For Eating Disorders
Family-Based Treatment can be very beneficial in the treatment of eating disorders. Eating disorders affect people of all ages, devastatingly, including children and teens. When a parent or caretaker has an adolescent struggling with an eating disorder, they often feel overwhelmed deciding what course of action and treatment is best suited for their child and…
8 Goals Of Eating Disorder Treatment
Eating disorder treatment programs aim to address both the physical and psychological aspects of these complex conditions. The primary goal is to restore general health by normalizing eating habits and promoting a balanced relationship with food. Simultaneously, these programs also target any underlying mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety, or low self-esteem, that may…
What’s the Difference Between Anorexia and Bulimia?
Eating disorders are complex, serious mental health conditions that affect people of all genders, ages, and backgrounds. Despite this, myths and misunderstandings are still widespread. Two diagnoses most people recognize—anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa—are often confused with one another, sometimes even used interchangeably. While they share some overlapping features, they are not the same illness….
How to Overcome Food Texture Aversions: Understanding and Expanding Possibilities
Food texture aversions are often dismissed as quirks or labeled as “picky eating,” but for many adults they are a source of daily stress, limited nutrition, and social difficulty. The experience is not trivial. Struggling to tolerate certain textures can shape everything from the foods chosen in private to whether someone accepts an invitation to…
What Happens in a Day of Residential Eating Disorder Treatment?
Starting eating disorder treatment can feel overwhelming. Many people wonder what really happens in a treatment program, from meals to therapy to movement. That uncertainty can make taking the first step even harder. One of the most common questions we hear is, “What does a day in residential treatment actually look like?” At ‘Ai Pono,…
How is Anorexia Nervosa Treated? An Evolving Approach to a Complex Illness
The question of how anorexia nervosa is treated remains one of the most frequently asked by patients, families, and even healthcare providers navigating this complex terrain. While the fundamental pillars of care maintain their importance, anorexia treatment has evolved significantly in recent years, incorporating new understandings of trauma, body image, harm reduction, and individualized care….
How to Stop Binge Eating: Breaking the Cycle of Restriction & Shame
Binge eating disorder (BED) is one of the most misunderstood diagnoses in the eating disorder spectrum. It’s often framed as an issue of emotional regulation, willpower, or addiction. The behaviors don’t match the stereotype: there’s no sharp weight loss, no obvious physical decline. In someone who isn’t visibly underweight, chronic dieting and food anxiety are…
Holding the Whole Person: A Deeper Look at Holistic Eating Disorder Treatment
What does it mean to heal? Not just to treat symptoms, but to support someone in reclaiming their body, their story, and their sense of connection to the world? At ‘Ai Pono, we believe this kind of healing requires more than protocols or isolated techniques. It requires a philosophy. Holistic eating disorder treatment is not…
The Warning Signs of Eating Disorders You Might Be Overlooking
Some eating disorders are hard to miss. Others live in plain sight for months or years before someone realizes what they’re seeing. By the time concerns are taken seriously, the illness may have progressed significantly, sometimes with life-threatening consequences. Early signs of eating disorders or disordered eating often go unnoticed, not because no one cares,…