Notes

Media and the Internet are increasingly addressing the issue of food quality and diet balance among children. And for good reason. The obesity epidemic among children and adolescents is already a fact. Yet, many illnesses can be prevented through proper nutrition. The question arises: where to start? How can we begin building healthy eating habits in children so that, in the future, they can avoid diet-related diseases? We all know that nutritional awareness does not always align with our actual eating habits. We can all agree that high-fat and sugar-rich foods should be avoided. We know that unprocessed foods are healthier than ready-made meals. But what good is this knowledge if we still reach for unhealthy options every day? It is our habits that largely determine what we put in our mouths. That’s why it is so important to help children, from an early age, get used to choosing foods that are nutritious and beneficial. ...

Adolescence is a time of rapid physical, emotional, and social change. It’s during these years that young people form their body image, sense of identity, and relationship with food. Unfortunately, for some teenagers, these processes become distorted. More and more often, I see young people trying to control their emotions through food by restricting it, overeating, or engaging in compensatory behaviors. So how can you tell if your child might be struggling with an eating disorder? ...

Eating disorders are often associated with adolescence, but they can also occur in preschool-aged children. This stage of life is crucial for ensuring proper nutrition, and any disruption can affect a child’s health and development. Up to around age six, the most common eating difficulties include picky eating, ARFID, fear of eating, and psychosomatic eating problems. Picky Eating Picky eating is the most common eating difficulty in preschoolers. It usually means a child accepts only a limited range of foods — for example, only certain types or colors, refusing to try new dishes, or rejecting specific textures. In many cases, picky eating is a normal part of development. However, it can also be related to sensory sensitivity or stress in the family environment. ...

When we hear the phrase eating disorder, most of us immediately think of anorexia or bulimia. These two conditions are indeed the most recognized and often diagnosed relatively quickly. However, there are many other types of eating disorders that can cause serious health and emotional problems. Unfortunately, they are often overlooked, misdiagnosed, or even praised as part of a “healthy lifestyle.” In this article, you’ll learn which eating disorders are most commonly underestimated, why they are so difficult to recognize, and why it’s essential to treat them as seriously as anorexia or bulimia. ...

What difficulties can working with a psychodietitian help with? Anorexia - reducing fear of eating and excessive control Bulimia - support in breaking the vicious cycle of bingeing and compensation, learning emotion regulation Orthorexia - regaining balance between a healthy diet and excessive focus on meals Compulsive overeating - working on emotional mechanisms and thought patterns that lead to loss of control Overweight and obesity - support in changing habits and perception of your body, without restrictive diets or guilt ...

Your relationship with food says more than just appetite. Psychodietetics shows that what you put on your plate is often the result of emotions, stress, or past experiences. The media, appearance pressure, and never-ending “miracle diets” only deepen frustration and lower self-esteem. Recognize the Signs Do you eat to soothe stress or reward yourself with food? Do you have binge episodes after which you feel guilt? Do you obsessively count calories or avoid foods you consider “wrong”? ...