Here at NourishRX, we talk a lot about how to set up your environment for success, and how to set boundaries for yourself within it. I’m sure you have found yourself scrolling through Instagram accounts while waiting in line, waiting for dinner to cook, or even before going to bed. In our world today, social media and the online community can have a drastic impact on our environment and perception of the world - whether we are aware of it or not. 

Unfortunately, with this preoccupation of social media there comes a lot of diet culture messages embedded within our feeds. Unrealistic beauty standards, highlight reels of peoples’ lives, and disordered advertising for a specific way to eat throughout the day is just some of what pops up on social media today. Consistently being exposed to toxic Instagram accounts can lead to unrealistic expectations for ourselves and a disconnection from our own internal cues in order to achieve what we perceive as social acceptance. 

While the harms of social media have been documented, there can be benefits from an online community. Many people can find meaningful connection with others online and it can allow for communication with people that you may have never met otherwise. 

Setting this boundary between helpful and hurtful comes down to understanding who you are following or collaborating with and how that is impacting your journey. Many of our clients come to us feeling that they want to revamp their social media feeds but are feeling a little uncertain about how to start. 

That’s why we have assembled a list of Instagram accounts to follow that provide a positive influence for those who are in recovery from an eating disorder, or who are on a journey towards Intuitive Eating.  These dietitians, therapists, and advocates have made it their mission to promote body positivity, anti-diet practices, and to provide evidence-based information to the public.  We couldn’t be more grateful for what they do!

Give them a follow - you won’t regret it.

 

1) Marci Evans, MS, CEDRD-S, LDN (@marcird) - she/her

Marci is a headstrong and wonderful ambassador for those suffering from disordered eating and thinking behaviors.  Her posts are brutally honest, challenge your thinking, and bring attention to the negative aspects of our eating culture and society-driven ideals on body image.  Her enthusiasm and energy is infectious and her posts not only provide hopeful direction but also powerful distinction on how to develop healthy and happy relationships with food.

 

2) Jessi Haggerty, RDN (@jessihaggertyrd) - she/her

Jessi hits us with the double whammy of being a registered dietitian AND a personal trainer.  With that, she has all the wisdom to help individuals redefine their relationship with food and exercise.  On her feed, you’ll find anything from encouragement to give yourself permission to rest to skills for reconnecting to the joy of movement.  Oh, and maybe a picture or two of her adorable pup, Frank.

Plus, her podcast, BodyLove Project, explores the concepts of Intuitive Eating, fat acceptance, and Health at Every Size, all while asking the question, “what does bodylove look like for you?”

 

3)  Brianna Campos, LPC (@bodyimagewithbri) - she/her

Bri’s fun-loving spirit nearly jumps off your screen as you scroll through her feed!  She brings so much light to a topic that is tough for so many people to navigate - body image.  Bri helps people reframe negative body image thoughts and offers tips for how to align with intuitive and joyful movement.  Bonus → she’s a go-to resource for fashion finds and powerful journal prompts to help you make peace with your body.

 

4)  Vaughn Darst, MS, RD (@allgendernutrition) - he/they

Vaughn has a passion for helping underserved populations - including gender diverse, queer, and transgender individuals - work towards a healthy relationship with food and their bodies.  We love that he serves as an advocate for these populations, which is evident through his posts on Instagram.  Not only does he provide words of encouragement and validating statements for those struggling with an eating disorder, but his posts also serve to educate healthcare providers on the prevalence of ED’s in gender diverse communities.  He even recently co-authored a scoping review of nutrition research in order to define trans-centered nutrition care - something that has been a long time coming! 

 

5)  Dalina Soto, MA, RD, LDN (@your.latina.nutritionist) - she/her

As a Dominican woman herself, Dalina helps latinas eat without guilt and ditch chronic dieting.  With her practice, “Your Latina Nutrition,” she coaches women to embrace their culture and eat in a balanced way without sacrificing the foods that are meaningful to them.  She does a great job of reminding her followers that cultural foods are nutritious, and very much have a place on your plate!  AND she does it all while making us laugh with her reels and memes.

But wait, there's more - she and Melissa Landry (see below) host a podcast together called “Break the Diet Cycle” that is most definitely worth a listen!

 

6)  Melissa Landry, RD (@no.more.guilt) - she/her

Melissa is a dietitian who is passionate about helping women who are in bigger bodies find food freedom.  She offers her followers a big ol’ reality check when those toxic diet thoughts creep in by providing examples of how to re-frame those automatic negative thoughts.  Not only that, but she normalizes thoughts that often arise in the journey towards Intuitive Eating, such as “it’s okay to sometimes worry ‘I won’t be happy in my skin at this size.’”  We love her words of encouragement and her dedication to helping people ditch diet culture.

 

7)  Meg Boggs (@meg.boggs) - she/her

Meg’s joy is absolutely infectious.  As an advocate for those living in a larger body, she preaches body appreciation and body love by exemplifying it herself.  She sets an example for how to embrace life and how to feel strong in your body.  It is so fun to keep up with Meg and hear her take on everything from fitness to body image to motherhood.  She’s as genuine as it gets, and her tips are always helpful and inspiring.

 

8)  Casey Crosby, RD, CEDRD (she/her) & Wendy Sterling, MS, RD, CSSD, CEDRD (she/her) (@platebyplateapproach)

These two dietitians coined the “Plate by Plate” approach as a way to help individuals who are recovering from an eating disorder and their families navigate meal times using a visual strategy, and...wait for it...no measuring!  Their technique is one that we use in our one-on-one appointments with clients, and their instagram provides great visuals of balanced plates for meals and snacks.  The most impressive part?  Every meal is not only balanced, but looks delicious!

 

9) Alissa Rumsey, MS, RD (@alissarumseyrd) - she/her

Alissa reminds us that every single body is worthy of nourishment.  Her posts are short, sweet, and to the point.  You may think..”is she reading my mind?” as she addresses some of the most common things that come up for people who are on their journey to Intuitive Eating.  Her posts will challenge the way that you are thinking about food, and will help you recognize where diet culture is interfering with your life.

 

10)  Amanda E. White, LPC (@therapyforwomen) - she/her

As she puts it, Amanda is a “relatable therapist” who is teaching women to advocate for themselves, set boundaries, and foster resiliency through a multitude of self-care tools.  Setting boundaries in ED recovery is crucial, but not always easy.  Amanda’s posts will empower you to think about what you need for yourself, and how to practice self-compassion in the process.

 

11)  Anna Sweeney, MS, RD, CEDRD-S (@dietitiananna) - she/her

Anna is candid, encouraging, and enlightening.  As a certified eating disorder dietitian, she just gets it!  Her posts help her followers navigate wellness culture and chronic illness, all while normalizing thoughts and feelings that come up for many people during ED recovery.  As you’re scrolling through Instagram, one of Anna’s posts just might turn your day around.

 

12)  Ryann Kipping, MPH, RDN (@prenatalnutritionist) - she/her

Ryann is an amazing resource for all things preconception and pregnancy related!  She provides evidence-based information for soon-to-be or new mamas.  She is one of our go-to resources for women who are struggling with disordered eating while pregnant because she understands how tough it can be to navigate the nutrition “noise” that’s being thrown around in that space.  Ryann helps her followers eat in a safe and satisfying way during pregnancy.

 

We hope that this list helps you find some new Instagram accounts that resonate with you and where you are on your journey.  They’re pretty awesome, right?! 

As we mentioned before, the space that we create for ourselves online can have a huge impact on our relationship with food and body. Surrounding yourself with a community that feels supportive and helpful in your journey could make all of the difference to ensure that you feel heard. 

If you are feeling like you need to expand your sense of community in this space, click here to learn about our interactive membership communities for parents/caregivers, intuitive eaters, and those recovering from an eating disorder. No matter where you are on your path, we are here to help provide additional support along the way!