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Nutritionist Abbie Attwood joins us to discuss how dealing with multiple autoimmune chronic illnesses led her down a path of dubious diagnoses and disordered eating, and how she ultimately found healing. In the free version, we get into how disordered eating can trigger and aggravate chronic conditions, why she believed she had “adrenal fatigue” and “leaky gut,” the role of obsession and OCD in orthorexia, and more. Behind the paywall, we talk about why it’s so easy to have your identity get wrapped up in disordered eating and chronic illness, how wellness culture preys on grief over physical limitations, the importance of self-compassion and how Abbie and Christy practice it, the prevalence of heightened sensitivity in IBS and other chronic conditions, how wellness-culture rabbit holes can lead to worsening symptoms, and the process of coming back to conventional medicine after a foray into the alt-med world.

Paid subscribers can hear the full interview, and the first half is available to all listeners. To upgrade to paid, go to rethinkingwellness.substack.com.

Abbie Attwood (she/her) is an anti-diet, weight-inclusive provider with a masters in clinical nutrition. She is the owner of Abbie Attwood Wellness, providing both individual and group virtual nutrition therapy and body image coaching. She is also the host of the Full Plate Podcast and writes the accompanying newsletter.

Abbie has lived experience with an eating disorder, which happened at the intersection of competitive running, OCD, and several chronic illnesses — all of which have made her especially passionate about working with those who don’t always see themselves in the traditional picture of disordered eating.

She works with clients around the globe, supporting them in healing from disordered eating, chronic dieting, body shame, and compulsive exercising to move into a kind and respectful relationship with their body. Abbie’s approach centers on self-compassion, social justice, and body liberation.

She splits time between Maine and the Bay Area with her husband and their two quirky rescue pups. She’s a lover of breakfast, books, the ocean, and all the ice cream. Learn more about her work at abbieattwoodwellness.com.

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Christy's second book, The Wellness Trap, is available wherever books are sold! Order it here, or ask for it in your favorite local bookstore.

If you're looking to make peace with food and break free from diet and wellness culture, come check out Christy's Intuitive Eating Fundamentals online course.

Disordered Eating, Dubious Diagnoses, and Autoimmune Disease with Abbie Attwood