What is Disordered Eating?

Maybe you’ve been here before—standing in front of the fridge, running through the mental math of calories, wondering whether you “deserve” that snack. Or maybe food feels like a battlefield, swinging between strict control and moments of losing yourself in a binge. Disordered eating doesn’t always look like an eating disorder, but it can feel just as exhausting. It’s the chronic dieting, the guilt-laced indulgences, the punishing workouts, the all-or-nothing thinking about food and weight. And over time, it takes a toll—not just on your body, but on your mind, your relationships, your ability to fully enjoy life.

Signs to Watch For

Constantly thinking about food, weight, or body image
Bouncing between dieting and overeating
Eating to numb stress, loneliness, or frustration
Feeling out of control around food, then drowning in shame
Using exercise as punishment instead of enjoyment
Avoiding meals with friends or family out of anxiety

Why It Happens

The culture we live in: A world obsessed with thinness, “clean eating,” and before-and-after transformations can make it hard to feel at peace in your own body.
Emotional coping: Food can be comfort, distraction, or control when everything else feels overwhelming.
The dieting trap: Restriction often sets the stage for bingeing—your body fights back when it’s deprived.
Past wounds: Hurtful comments, bullying, or trauma around body image can linger long after the words were said.
Family patterns: We pick up messages about food and self-worth from those around us, sometimes without realizing it.

Ready to Talk?

You don’t have to figure this out alone. Whether you’re looking for a way to stop the food guilt spiral or simply want to feel more at ease in your own skin, we’re here. We offer in-person therapy in Toronto and virtual sessions across Ontario.

Reach out today. Food doesn’t have to feel like the enemy. Your body doesn’t have to feel like a battleground.