HAES (Health at Every Size®) and Non-Diet Approach at Beyond Therapy and Nutrition Center
Here at Beyond, our eating disorder therapists and eating disorder dietitians take a Health at Every Size® and non diet approach to therapy and nutrition services. We follow the belief that health is not determined by body size or weight but is rather a holistic concept that encompasses physical, mental, and emotional well-being and can look different for every person.
Beyond Therapy and Nutrition Center can support you
with a HAES® aligned approach to eating disorder treatment,
body image therapy, and nutrition counseling services!
What does Health at Every Size (HAES®) mean?
Health at Every Size or HAES® is a movement that challenges the conventional ideas about health and body weight. It promotes the idea that individuals of all sizes deserve respect and support in achieving health and well-being. HAES emphasizes compassionate self-care, intuitive eating, joyful movement, and body acceptance, rather than focusing on weight loss as the primary indicator of health.
What are the main principles of HAES®?
The Health at Every Size® principles were just updated this year by the Association for Size Diversity and Health. The principles are as follows:
1. Healthcare is a human right for people of all sizes, including those at the highest end of the size spectrum.
2. Wellbeing, care, and healing are resources that are both collective and deeply personal.
3. Care is fully provided only when free from anti-fat bias and offered with people of all sizes in mind.
4. Health is a sociopolitical construct that reflects the values of society.
To read more about HAES principles, visit the Association for Size Diversity and Health website at:
What are the benefits to a HAES® approach?
● Improved Self-Esteem: Embracing HAES® can lead to increased self-esteem and body confidence as individuals learn to accept and appreciate their bodies and are able to exercise more autonomy of their health and health care decisions.
● Reduced Stress: Focusing on holistic health rather than weight loss leads to lower levels of stress and anxiety that are associated with dieting and body dissatisfaction.
● Enhanced Well-Being: Practicing HAES® principles can lead to improved overall well-being, including better physical health, mental health, and quality of life.
● Promotion of Diversity and Inclusion: HAES® promotes diversity and inclusion by celebrating bodies of all shapes, sizes, and abilities and challenging societal norms and stereotypes. Furthermore, this advocacy also aims to improve health care outcomes for all individuals.
● Positive Behavior Change: By focusing on health-promoting behaviors rather than weight loss, HAES® can lead to sustainable lifestyle changes that support long-term health and wellbeing.
If you want to learn more about the Health at Every Size® movement, visit the Association for Size Diversity and Health website: https://asdah.org/haes/
Non-Diet Approach
Now you are familiar with Health at Every Size®, but what does non-diet mean? Similarly to HAES®, our non-diet approach means we support clients in working towards their goals without focusing on numbers. We believe in nourishing your body without the constraints of traditional diet culture. Our approach to nutrition and eating disorder/body image therapy focuses on cultivating a positive relationship with food, embracing body diversity, and promoting overall well-being.
Why take a Non-Diet approach to Nutrition and Eating disorder and Body Image Therapy?
Dieting often leads to a cycle of restriction, guilt, and unsustainable behaviors. Instead of focusing solely on weight loss or strict food rules, our non-diet approach encourages clients to improve their relationship with food and their body and develop sustainable skills to improve their overall wellbeing. Our approach emphasizes:
1. Intuitive Eating: Learning to listen to your body's hunger and fullness cues, finding foods that are enjoyable, and eating in a way that honors your physical and emotional needs.
2. Health at Every Size (HAES®): As mentioned above, recognizing that health is not determined by body size, and prioritizing holistic well-being over weight loss goals.
3. Fostering a healthy relationship with food: Learning how to nourish your body without having to follow rigid food rules or having access to a variety of foods without guilt or shame, and building the confidence to take care of your body’s individual needs.
4. All Foods Fit: We believe in enjoying a variety of foods without judgment or guilt. There are no "good" or "bad" foods—and all foods provide our bodies with nourishment.
5. Self-Compassion: Our providers are passionate about helping you leave shame and guilt beyond and finding ways to be kind to yourself throughout your journey. Progress is not always linear, and it's okay to seek support when needed.
6. Embracing Individuality: We recognize that everyone's relationship with food and body is unique. Our approach is flexible and adaptable to meet you where you are.
How does Beyond implement these approaches?
Our therapists use the HAES® and non-diet approach to support you in fostering a more positive relationship with your body and to food. Therapy for disordered eating or body image concerns may include identifying and unlearning internalized societal values that are rooted in diet culture and support in developing your own belief system about your health and wellbeing. Oftentimes, this also includes letting go of guilt and shame that may be negatively impacting your physical and emotional wellbeing. Our therapists can support you in determining what your health and wellbeing goals are and how to meet those goals with sustainable health-promoting behaviors that focus on holistic wellbeing rather than attempting to control body weight or size.
Our registered dietitians’ goal is to support you in developing a positive relationship with food with a HAES® and non-diet approach. We will provide personalized nutrition counseling tailored to your unique needs and goals without strict and rigid food rules or meal plans. We focus on providing evidenced-based education about nutrition and help you build sustainable habits for your health and wellbeing. Our dietitians are compassionate and ready to collaborate with you to implement intuitive eating principles to meet your nutritional needs and learn how you can support your health and wellbeing in more fulfilling and sustainable ways.
To learn more about Intuitive Eating, visit https://www.intuitiveeating.org/.
Beyond's HAES® aligned eating disorder therapists offer in person therapy in Pennslvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and Florida and in person therapy in Bucks County, PA in Newtown, Pennslyvania.
Beyond's HAES® aligned eating disorder dietitians provide nutrition counseling tin-person nutrition counseling in Newtown, Pennsylvania and online nutrition counseling for eating disorders in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, Colorado, Texas, California, Connecticut, Florida and Arizona.