What Is Atypical Anorexia? Challenging Weight Bias in Eating Disorder Treatment With Emma Townsin, RD @food.life.freedom

Let’s be real: there’s nothing atypical about “atypical anorexia.” In fact, it’s one of the most common eating disorder presentations—and yet it’s still misunderstood, misdiagnosed, and too often ignored. In this episode, I’m joined by Registered Dietitian and eating disorder specialist Emma Townsin (@food.life.freedom) to break down what atypical anorexia actually is, why the name is a problem, and how weight stigma keeps so many people from getting the care they deserve.

We talk about what happens when restrictive eating shows up in people who don’t fit the “textbook” thin ideal, how BMI gatekeeping plays out in treatment settings, and what needs to change in how we diagnose and support people across all body sizes. This one’s for anyone who's ever been told they’re “not sick enough”—and for every provider ready to challenge that harmful narrative.

ABOUT EMMA TOWNSIN, RD

Emma supports her clients to take the stress out of food. Emma's unique method focuses on reframing how you think about food, building connection with your body and feeling confident in your food choices. So, instead of food controlling you, food supports you to live the life you want. Combining her skills as a Registered Dietitian and Certified Intuitive Eating Counsellor, Emma supports people experiencing stressful eating such as binge eating or uncomfortable emotional eating and those who want to feel good around food after long term dieting.

Emma lives and works in London, England. She is a Specialist Eating Disorder Dietitian and Certified Intuitive Eating Counsellor. Her practice name is Food Life Freedom.

CONTACT EMMA

Website: www.foodlifefreedom.com

Email: emma@foodlifefreedom.com

IG: @food.life.freedom

FB: Food Life Freedom

CHECK OUT ANOTHER INTERVIEW EPISODE WITH EMMA, PLUS TWO MORE ON ATYPICAL ANOREXIA!

• Why Diets Don't Work and How to Change Our Relationships With Food With Emma Townsin, RD on Apple & Spotify
• Atypical Anorexia: Mental & Physical Health Risks, Plus How the Term is Controversial on Apple & Spotify
• Atypical Anorexia With Amy Ornelas, RD on Apple & Spotify

INTERESTED IN HANGING OUT MORE IN DR. MARIANNE-LAND?

• Follow me on Instagram @drmariannemiller
• Check out my virtual, self-paced ARFID and Selective Eating course
• Learn more about my self-paced, virtual, anti-diet, subscription-based curriculum. It is called Dr. Marianne-Land's Binge Eating Recovery Membership.

• Live in California, Texas, or Washington D.C. and interested in eating disorder therapy with me? Sign up for a free, 15-minute phone consultation HERE or via my website, and I'll get you to where you need to be!
• Check out my blog.
• Want more information? Email me at hello@mariannemiller.com