Episode 4 The Pursuit of THIN: More Harm Than Good? with Ayana Habtemariam, MSW, RDN

Ayana Habtemariam MSW, RD, LDN, is a nutrition therapist, certified Intuitive Eating counselor, and macro social worker based in Arlington, Va. She is the owner of Truly Real Nutrition, LLC, a private nutrition practice where she empowers clients to give up dieting in exchange for trusting their bodies and breaking free from food rules that result in feelings of failure and shame. She encourages her clients to embrace the beauty, power, and connection that their food traditions, personal experiences, and values add to their lives. She provides nutrition therapy for clients with disordered eating and those who are recovering from an eating disorder.

 

She is committed to increasing awareness of weight inclusive philosophies in Black communities and believes that weight-centric approaches to health and wellness only serve to exacerbate body image issues, stress, and anxiety which contribute to increased rates of chronic diseases often seen in Black communities.

 

In this episode, Ayana talks about why and how she's taken a more weight-inclusive approach to her work and the resistance she faces from clients and fellow practitioners. She talks about how the pursuit of thinness and fitness is dangerous to our physical and mental well-being, and recounts her own journey of unlearning. You can find her online at: https://www.trulyrealnutrition.com/