How to Identify and Address Disordered Eating Behaviours with Tamar Samuels
Disordered eating doesn’t always look the way we expect. It isn’t just extreme dieting or visible restriction—it can be subtle, persistent thoughts around food, rigid food rules, or feeling guilt after meals. In a powerful interview hosted by Anthony Hartcher, registered dietitian and nutrition expert Tamar Samuels dives deep into how we can recognise and respond to disordered eating behaviours.
Watch the full video here:
Understanding Disordered Eating Beyond the Obvious
Tamar explains that disordered eating can manifest as obsessive food tracking, emotional eating, and inflexible rules around what and when to eat. Often, these behaviours are fueled by a cultural overload of nutrition advice—some helpful, much of it not—leading many to self-diagnose and self-prescribe diets based on social media trends or anecdotal evidence.
“We have more exposure to nutrition information than ever before,” Tamar shares, “but the problem is, we don’t know how to navigate it.”
The Role of Stress and Digestion
Stress doesn’t just cloud our mental health—it can directly impair digestion. When we’re in a “fight or flight” mode due to chronic stress, our body redirects energy away from digestion, leading to gastrointestinal issues. Tamar highlights the importance of eating in a relaxed environment, emphasising that even the healthiest meals can backfire if consumed during stress or distraction.
Quick Tips:
- Avoid news and social media during meals.
- Focus on your food—eliminate distractions.
- Create a calming eating space.
Emotional Eating and the Importance of Intentionality
One of the central strategies Tamar recommends is intentional eating. By setting a mental intention before a meal—whether it’s to feel nourished, to enjoy the experience, or to tune into hunger cues—we shift from autopilot eating to conscious connection.
She also suggests that tracking your food intake, mood, and physical symptoms for just 1–3 days can reveal valuable patterns. But this isn’t about calorie counting—it’s about building awareness without judgment.
“Awareness is powerful. It doesn’t have to lead to elimination,” Tamar notes. “Instead, it can guide moderation and smarter substitutions.”
Finding Balance in a World of Extremes
Modern food culture swings between hyper-optimisation and food abandonment. Tamar urges a middle ground—a personalised, flexible approach that’s informed by individual biology, lifestyle, and mental health status. This is especially critical for those with more advanced symptoms, who may benefit from working with a multidisciplinary team including dietitians, doctors, and therapists.
Personalised Nutrition and Practical Steps
Tamar encourages clients to avoid “one-size-fits-all” solutions. Personalised nutrition takes into account everything from genetics and gut health to emotional wellbeing. She emphasises:
- Partnering with a registered dietitian.
- Monitoring stress triggers and creating boundaries.
- Reframing food from a source of stress to one of nourishment.
- Avoiding extreme restrictions in favor of gradual, sustainable changes.
Conclusion
Disordered eating is often silent, normalised by modern health trends and wellness culture. Through mindfulness, intentional eating, and support from trained professionals, it’s possible to build a healthier, more balanced relationship with food. Tamar Samuels’ insights remind us that food should nourish, not control us—and that with the right tools and mindset, healing is entirely possible.
If you or someone you know struggles with food-related anxiety, emotional eating, or rigid eating patterns, consider reaching out to a registered dietitian or mental health professional for support.
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