Whitney Tawney, RD, CEDRD

Growing up, I couldn't find any positive fat role models in the media. Historically, fat people have been demonized, or used for comedic effect, or to visibly show that a character is less intelligent than their slimmer, more cunning counterparts. This is hideously damaging to a developing child, and like many others, it led to me despising my own body. I could not physically relate to the characters I loved, like the Disney princesses I've re-drawn, Crystal detailed her personal experience with the lack of role models growing up.

Hello! I’m Whitney. I am a Registered Dietitian but that doesn’t mean I tell people what or what not to eat all day long. I follow a Non Diet, Health at Every Size approach instead which means I do not intentionally help my clients lose weight. Research shows that diets do not work and they are harmful! Instead I celebrate all body sizes and help my clients learn how to do the same. I teach them about sneaky diet culture and how food obsession is stressful and can prevent the...m from being present in life. I help them learn how to trust their bodies again by listening to and honoring their inner signals. And how to nourish their bodies when those signals aren’t quite working properly. I have a private practice in Claremont, California where I see clients who struggle with eating disorders, disordered eating and dieting. I am currently designing my new office space and am so excited for it to be finished!

Interested in learning more about Health at Every Size or Intuitive Eating & more? I put together a page of resources. ALSO included is a section on Child Nutrition. This might be helpful for this upcoming school year if you'd like to provide your child's teacher with some resources on how to include non diet/ diet culture free material into their nutrition/ health curriculum. Check it out!

Health should not be based on the BMI chart.

Having a doctor who can so totally remove weight from my health care has been literally life-changing. Doctors often suggest losing weight to address health concerns. But that approach often harms more than it helps. The weight stigma people face in health care settings contributes to poor health outcomes.... Some doctors are moving away from a weight-centric model to focus on prescribing healthier behaviors. This is a great article. It’s only free to read until Monday though so make sure to download and save ASAP. #burnthescale #haes