Intuitive Eating with Chronic Illness… Does It Work? [feat. Lily Tanner]

If you hit play on this episode of the podcast, it could at least in part be because you suffer from a chronic illness and are wondering if you can eat intuitively with your chronic illness, and, if so, then I invite you to join me today as I chat with Lily Tanner (whom you may remember from episode 19!) and discuss that very topic!

Lily is a member of The SociEATy and was on the podcast before to talk about weight maintenance while eating intuitively, and, again, she is here today to talk about how having a chronic illness plays into intuitive eating. Lily has a couple of chronic illnesses such as a genetic connective tissue disorder, and she talks about the dietary problems that they cause such as frequently not having hunger cues and therefore having to force herself to eat. She is also sometimes drained of energy which leaves her not wanting to prepare food.

Lily also shares with us her experience with doctors and how she often has to be her own advocate, and we talk about the importance of forward-thinking and planning ahead. She offers a couple of actionable tips to anyone who is considering intuitive eating but is questioning whether or not they can do it because of a chronic illness, encouraging such people to trust their bodies and to accept their issues and work with them rather than try to rise above them.

I truly think that this episode is going to help so many people because Lily is such a wealth of knowledge as someone who has been through this. This is a topic that really isn’t talked about enough within the intuitive eating community, and Lily offers so much hope. Remember that I absolutely love hearing from you, so screenshot this episode and let me know what was especially insightful! Feel free to also share the podcast with anyone who might benefit from it, and I would love it if you would leave a review via whatever platform that you use to listen! I read each and every one of your reviews! Be sure to also subscribe to The SociEATy Podcast so that you never miss an episode!

Time Stamps

[1:23] – Colleen announces returning guest Lily Tanner as this episode’s guest and the topic – how chronic illness plays into intuitive eating.

[3:30] – Lily gives us an update since the last time she was on the podcast and also reminds us of her history with diet culture.

[6:55] – Lily begins to discuss some of her medical issues.

[11:24] – We begin to learn about how Lily’s chronic illness has impacted how she eats.

[15:06] – Lily credits mantras as being helpful for her.

[17:10] – Lily offers advice to someone whose doctor is encouraging them to get rid of sugar and gluten from their diet.

[21:59] – Lily talks about her general experience with doctors and encourages us to gently challenge fatphobic notions.

[23:50] – Lily advises us that it’s okay to ask your doctor to talk to a dietitian.

[27:21] – Colleen emphasizes how important it is to reflect on what we’re eating.

[32:38] – Lily expounds upon the idea that food is medicine.

[38:50] – Lily says that support within communities has been most helpful for her on this journey.

[43:35] – Lily touches upon how she gets around having to be weighed because of her illness.

[45:33] – We hear some actionable tips on what to do if we want to eat intuitively but have a chronic illness.

Links and Resources

Colleen Christensen Nutrition – Website

The SociEATy – Become a Member

The SociEATy’s Instagram Page

Colleen’s Instagram Page

The SociEATy Podcast: “Weight Maintenance During Intuitive Eating (Part 2)”

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