Welcome back to The Spoonie Dietitian Blog. In this blog I’m going to give you more insight into spoonie nutrition, and my approach as a non-diet Dietitian who is also a spoonie.

I have Endometriosis and chronic pain. This led me to want to help other spoonies manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life. I’m also a non-diet Dietitian who spent at least the first half of my life trying to shrink myself. That was until I discovered body diversity and the non-diet and HAES movements.

What’s a “Spoonie”?

A spoonie is someone with a chronic illness and/or a disability, it comes from Spoon Theory by Christine Miserandino. Spoon Theory explains how it feels to live with a chronic illness and/or disability, using spoons to represent energy. Spoonies have a set number of spoons or a certain amount of energy each day. Every spoonie’s experience is different. The amount of spoons needed to complete a task may vary between two spoonies, or may vary day to day. If you want to know more, I have a whole blog post on Spoon Theory, check it out here.

Spoonies also vary in the types of symptoms they experience based on their specific illnesses and/or disability. Management varies between each person, so it’s important to acknowledge that what helps one person’s symptoms may not help another. Everything needs to be individualised.

What is “Spoonie Nutrition”?

Spoonie nutrition is tailored to your fluctuating energy, symptoms and needs. It focuses on flexibility, nourishment and self-compassion. It acknowledges that your capacity for food prep and eating vary day to day. On a low symptom day, you may be able to cook balanced meals from scratch and meet all your nutrition needs easily. But, during a flare up, you may only be able to manage pre-prepared foods, liquids or toast. On these days, being fed is best. Don’t force yourself to try and cook a meal if you can’t. Do what you need to and have a proper meal once you feel better. It’s okay for your food and nutrition to change day to day, with your body’s changing needs.

The Non-Diet Approach

In my practice I use a non-diet approach. Non-diet means no strict rules, no food policing, and learning to listen to your body to provide what it needs. It focuses on body acceptance, intuitive and mindful eating, and focusing on health rather than body size. In contrast with traditional diet culture approaches which focus on weight and strict food rules.

The non-diet approach works well with spoonie nutrition. Due to it’s focus on intuitive eating and listening to your body, rather than focusing on factors like weight, which aren’t always in our control. As a non-diet Dietitian, I can help you learn to tune into your body’s hunger and fullness cues, nourish your body in a flexible way, and relearn to treat you and your body with compassion.

So, if you’re a spoonie and you’re after practical tips, support and myth-busting, subscribe to my newsletter or follow me on Instagram. Comment with your biggest nutrition struggle.

🩷Emma