When Every Bite Feels Like a Battle: Eating While Chronically Ill

Food is supposed to sustain us—but when you’re chronically ill, even the act of eating can feel like an uphill battle. I’ve lived with chronic back pain for 21 years, and I know firsthand how pain, fatigue, and unpredictable symptoms can completely reshape your relationship with food. In this solo episode, I’m diving into the emotional, physical, and psychological toll of eating while managing chronic conditions like fibromyalgia, POTS, PCOS, and chronic fatigue syndrome.

The mental and emotional weight of food decisions, social pressure, and grief around eating is very real. When food becomes linked with pain, restriction, or a way of coping, disordered eating patterns can easily take hold—often without us even realizing it. That’s why it’s so important to understand your needs and ask for accommodations. Asking for help is not a weakness—it’s a deeply necessary act of care in a world that often misunderstands chronic illness.

If you’ve ever felt dismissed, overwhelmed, or just plain exhausted by the effort it takes to nourish yourself, this episode is for you.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN ABOUT...

• How chronic illness can make eating physically and emotionally challenging—from symptoms like nausea and pain to fatigue and side effects from medication.

• The mental and emotional toll of food decisions, social pressure, and grief around eating is very real.

• How disordered eating patterns can develop when food becomes linked with pain, restriction, or coping.

• How flexibility, self-compassion, and doing what works for your body are key.

• How my personal experience living with chronic back pain for 21 years and how it affected my relationship with food.

Listen to another SOLO episode, in which I talk about my overall eating disorder recovery journey (listen via Apple or Spotify). 

Hear other SOLO and interview episodes on Anorexia, Bulimia, & Binge Eating Disorder:

> On anorexia via Apple or Spotify

> On bulimia via Apple or Spotify

> On binge eating disorder via Apple or 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
• In the US, UK, Canada, or Australia? Chat with me about my online binge eating program that provides 1:1 virtual coaching support and online curriculum. It is called the Elite Binge Eating Recovery Method.
• Need a place to start? Check out 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