Respecting individuality and neurodiversity

Eating differences are unique patterns or preferences that might not align with mainstream ideas of “typical” eating - but they’re not inherently harmful or disordered.

These can include:

• Strong sensory preferences or aversions (e.g. textures, smells)

• Cultural or religious food practices

• Neurodivergent eating styles (common in autism or ADHD)

• Ethical food choices (e.g. veganism)

These differences often reflect a person’s identity, values, or neurotype - and most often do not require change, just understanding and support.

When food becomes frustrating, stressful or emotionally charged

Eating difficulties involve challenges with eating that cause distress or interfere with daily life but may not meet the criteria for an eating disorder.

They can look like:

• Struggling to eat enough, consistently

• Avoidance of certain foods or food groups

• Difficulty recognising hunger or fullness

• Food anxiety or fear of judgement when eating socially

• Sensory overload at mealtimes

These difficulties may be connected to mental health, trauma, neurodivergence, chronic illness, disability, or life transitions - and they deserve compassionate, personalised support.

Serious, diagnosable conditions that deserve specialised care

Eating disorders are complex mental health conditions involving distressing patterns of eating, body image and self-worth.

These include:

• Anorexia Nervosa

• Bulimia Nervosa

• Binge Eating Disorder

• Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)

• Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder (OSFED)

They can affect anyone, regardless of size, gender, age or background, and often require a collaborative, trauma-informed, multidisciplinary approach. Where eating-disorder treatment is appropiate within our clinicians scope, we work collaboratively and recognise that multidisciplinary care may also involve external medical and dietetic professionals.