Meet @the.binge.dietitian Toni Rudd, RD: A UK eating disorder dietitian based in Peru!
I got to know Toni Rudd via Instagram @the.binge.dietitian, and we’ve been friends ever since. Not only does she have a big heart and loves to help people, we are totally on the same page when it comes to helping people in the US, UK, Canada, Peru, and all over the world recover from binge eating. Whether folks are looking for binge eating treatment in San Diego, California, London, England, or Lima, Peru, learning more about Toni’s approaches and following her on Instagram will help you get you on your way to binge eating recovery.
How did you become interested in treating binge eating when you were in the UK?
My journey to supporting people with binge eating started in the UK’s National Health Service (NHS). As a dietitian, I initially found myself working with people who had newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes. Part of the role was to work in a weight management clinic where the emphasis was solely on weight loss through a restrictive nutritional approach. It was here that I started to encounter the link between restriction and binge eating.
In clinical supervision sessions and my own learning by listening to podcasts and reading books about the non-diet approach, my eyes were opened to the limitations of traditional weight-centric approaches and their impact on someone's relationship with food.
After working in weight management I wanted to expand my clinical experience and I decided to transition into a role as a mental health dietitian where I was mainly working on a men’s forensic unit. Here, the prevalence of binge eating disorder was so high due to many different reasons such as:
The ward culture of not prioritising nutrition throughout the day led to takeaways being ordered at night time after their hospital dinner
lack of support in making choices when it comes to food
their mental health alongside the medication that drove their appetite
boredom - as the only time they could leave the ward was to go to the local shop, which they did to buy snacks.
With all this clinical experience, I knew that eating disorders, particularly binge eating disorder, was an area I felt passionate about because it was also something I was struggling with while I was working as a dietitan. Something in me made me want to support these people, so I would spend more time with them in a clinic if I could, and make sure the advice focused more on a non-diet approach.
Where are you from in the UK? Where do you live now as you're treating binge eating? In general, where do your clients live?
I am from a town called Tamworth, near to the City of Birmingham in the Midlands.
For the last two years, I have lived in Lima, Peru which has been an incredible experience and has allowed me to build a business online that I am so passionate about.
Although many of my clients seek support are from the UK and the USA, I've had the privilege of working with individuals from Australia, Colombia, and even within the local community here in Peru - I am global!
From your experience, how do you define binge eating?
From my experience, binge eating isn’t just about eating too much food occasionally. It's a struggle that goes way beyond that. Binge eating involves feeling like you just cannot stop eating, even when you desperately want to.
After a binge eating episode, the aftermath can be incredibly tough emotionally. You might feel overwhelmed by guilt, regret, and shame that lingers around for the rest of the day. It’s often a heavy burden to carry around, especially when it’s so common for people to hide their struggles from others because of the shame attached to binge eating.
I understand how isolating and challenging it can be to deal with binge eating alone. Especially when it has been going on for years - maybe even decades - it can feel like a never-ending cycle. That’s why it’s important to know you’re not alone in this journey. With compassion and the right support, it’s possible to break free from the cycle of binge eating.
What leads to a binge-eating episode?
Binge eating episodes can be triggered by a variety of factors, and it's important to recognize that each person's experience is unique.
Binge eating generally happens when there is an unmet need in the body. These needs can be linked to:
Emotional stress or difficult life events
Restrictive dieting or feelings of deprivation
Environmental cues - such as the availability of certain foods, or social situations
Underlying psychological factors - such as low self-esteem or a history of trauma
Understanding these triggers and addressing the underlying needs is an important step in overcoming binge eating and finding healthier ways to cope with emotions and stressors.
What do you do to help people recover from binge eating?
I help people to recover from binge eating with a personalised and holistic approach. Together, we explore the underlying factors contributing to binge eating and work to address both the physical and the emotional aspects.
This may involve learning to recognise and respond to hunger and fullness cues, challenging negative thoughts and beliefs about food and body image, and developing coping strategies for managing emotions without turning to food.
What tips can you give for people after they've had a binge eating episode?
After experiencing a binge eating episode, it is important to approach yourself with kindness and compassion. Here are some of my top tips to navigate the aftermath:
Practice self-compassion: Treat yourself with the same kindness and understanding that you would offer to a friend in a similar situation.
Avoid self-blame: It’s easy to fall into a cycle of self-criticism and blame after a binge. Instead, be curious about how it happened so you can begin to understand the patterns.
Avoid restrictive behaviors: It is common for people to feel like they need to “compensate” for the binge by engaging in restrictive eating or increasing exercise. This only increases the likelihood of a future binge. Instead, aim to eat regularly and eat your next meal if a binge happens.
Connect with someone: Often a binge happens because there is a disconnect between you and your body. Reach out to a trusted friend or family member for a video call to chat or a coffee/lunch date.
Check out Toni’s episodes on Dr. Marianne-Land: An Eating Disorder Recovery Podcast on binge eating behaviors and restricting:
Food Neutrality and Binge Eating Recovery on Spotify or Apple.
Coming on May 28th! Reasons Behind Binge Eating & What to Do After a Binge
How can people learn more about you and work with you?
If you want to learn more about me and what I offer, you can head to my website: www.thebingedietitian.com
I understand just how much courage it takes to reach out for support, especially when it comes to discussing deeply personal struggles like binge eating. It can feel overwhelming and daunting to open up to someone (especially a stranger) about something as intimate as your relationship with food.
That’s why I want you to know that I understand, and that's why I offer a no-pressure, easy way to make initial contact with me via WhatsApp. Whether you want to reach out about support or simply have questions about my approach, you can send me a message on WhatsApp. Then, when you feel comfortable, we can have a video call to outline the plan on our work together.