Food and lipoedema-
why it is sometimes so complicated
Lipedema affects not only your body but also your relationship with food. Many women with lipedema recognize that they get stuck in patterns that originated from frustration, shame, or misunderstanding. Below, you'll read about four common eating patterns—and what you can do about them.
📏 1. Dieting behavior – always on a diet, without success
Are you constantly focused on dieting, counting calories, or trying to "maintain" your weight? This is what we call dieting-oriented eating. Many women with lipedema follow diets for years, only to find that the fat on their legs or hips barely changes. That's not your fault—it's characteristic of lipedema.
➡️ The disappointment that dieting doesn't help can lead to frustration, guilt and ultimately binge eating or even stricter dieting.
What helps? A different perspective on nutrition: without the focus on weight loss, but instead focusing on foods that nourish, support, and calm your body. No rules – just gentleness.
💔 2. Emotional eating – eating to comfort or soothe
Do you sometimes feel sad, angry, or tense—and then turn to food? Then you're experiencing emotional eating. It's not surprising, especially when you live with a body that hurts, feels different, and is misunderstood. Food can temporarily provide a sense of security.
What helps? Becoming more aware of your emotions and finding other ways to comfort or relax yourself. A warm bath, a nice walk, breathing, writing, or simply taking a break can also be soothing.
👀 3. External eating behavior – eating because it's there
Eating without hunger, simply because you see or smell something delicious, is very human. But if you do this often, it can be difficult to recognize your true hunger. Especially after years of dieting or being strict with yourself.
What helps? Learning to listen to your body: "Am I really hungry? Or do I need something else?" With loving attention, you learn to trust your body and your choices again.
🌪️ 4. Binge eating – when food takes over everything
Binge eating involves eating a large amount in a short period of time, often accompanied by a sense of loss of control. This often happens after a strict diet or when emotions build. It provides a brief respite, but then comes shame or self-reproach.
What helps? Understanding and compassion. A binge isn't a failure, but a signal. Together we can look at the cause—and what you need to do differently. Not with control, but with compassion.
💛 You can stop fighting yourself
What if you no longer had to diet, punish yourself, or view food as an enemy? What if, with gentleness, attention, and expert guidance, you could build a new relationship with food—a relationship based on trust, peace, and self-care?
As a lipoedema game-changer, I am happy to help you support your eating habits and self-image:
without judgement,
with knowledge about lipoedema,
and above all: with a lot of attention for who you are as a person.
You don't have to do it alone. There's a gentle path—and it starts with listening to yourself.
📞 Want to know more or work together?
Feel free to contact me for a no-obligation introductory meeting. I'll be happy to share my expertise and understanding with you.
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