Body Positive

Body Positive Nutritionist in the St. Louis Area, Missouri, and Illinois

Get Medical Nutrition Therapy from a Body Positive Dietitian Nutritionist and Improve Your Relationship with Food and Body

What is the body positivity theory?

The body positivity movement is a social and cultural movement that advocates for acceptance and appreciation of all body types regardless of the person’s shape or size. Its goal is to challenge the cultural norm that a “smaller/thinner” body is considered superior or healthier than a person living in a larger body.

What are the criticisms of body positivity?

Overall, the body positive movement has made great strides. It does, like most things, face some criticism for its limitations and shortcomings with intersectionality. Some criticisms of the movement say it may promote an emphasis on body appearance (still celebrating the idea that ‘thin is better’). And, unfortunately, certain brands use it as a marketing technique.

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We are mindful of these criticisms and how this important movement might have gotten watered-down over the years; nevertheless, our dietitian nutritionists try to support our patients, helping them heal their relationships with their bodies and learn to honor and value them.

Does that mean they love what they see every time they look in the mirror? Nobody does. But finding space to respect our bodies, accept our bodies, and feel freedom from what others might perceive about our bodies is something we believe everyone can achieve. 

Meet with one of our dietitians, online or face-to-face, to begin healing your relationship with food and body and experience freedom. Exhale. 

Can you be body positive and still want to lose weight?

Weight is not a sole determinant of health or worth and people can pursue health and wellbeing at any size meaning you can still pursue weight loss and actively work toward being body positive. Being body positive means accepting and respecting  your body. 

As dietitian nutritionists, we believe you should have the autonomy to make choices that support your overall health and wellbeing. Weight loss and body positivity can be compatible, but it is challenging.

In our nutrition practice, we work with our clients to help them restore their relationship with their bodies. We know this is hard, and we don’t expect it to happen overnight. But a key component of our work is redefining this relationship, moving to a neutral place where we can honor and value our bodies, and working toward being body positive. 

This Today’s Dietitian article discusses the challenges of weight loss, body positivity, and achieving that critical balance in a dietetics practice. 

What does a body positivity dietitian nutritionist do?

A body positivity dietitian practices within the Health at Every Size® module supporting intuitive eating and food freedom while ditching diet culture, addressing body image concerns, and working towards optimal health and wellbeing. 

When did the body positivity movement start?

This important movement began in the 1960s with the “Fat Rights Movement.” A man in New York, Bill Fabray, was tired of watching how poorly his wife was treated because of her weight. He formed a group called the National Association to Aid Fat Americans (today known as the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance or NAAFA, the world’s longest-running fat rights organization). Fat Activism was budding around the United States and across the world, and over the following three decades, it continued to grow. 

In the 2000’s with social media,  individuals took to Instagram, Facebook, Tik-Tok and more and began to share their experiences, challenges and joys related to body image and self esteem. The term ‘body positivity’ was coined.  

Our Team of Dietitian Nutritionists in the Greater St. Louis Area

Branz Nutrition Counseling is a team of certified eating disorder dietitians who provide compassionate care to those struggling with their relationship to food. Our approach is weight-inclusive, LGBTQIA+, and social justice-oriented, which means that we believe that everyone deserves access to quality care. 

 

We can’t wait to meet you!

With locations in Illinois and Missouri, we offer both virtual and in-person counseling sessions. And, we are licensed to provide Telehealth nutrition therapy to  patients around the country.

​Arizona | Arkansas | California | Colorado | Delaware | Florida | Georgia | Illinois | Missouri | New York | Texas | Virginia

We see clients in person in the St. Louis area, Missouri, Illinois, and from around the country via Telehealth. Learn more here.

Scroll to see the whole team.

How It Works – An Easy Three-Step Process to Get You on the Road to Recovery

Make An Appointment

What service do you need? We offer a range of appointments of different durations to best fit your needs.

Meet with your Personal Dietitian

Be paired with the dietitian nutritionist on our team and get continued support with one of our online groups. One-on-one counseling, in-person, or virtual. WE TAKE INSURANCE!

Take Control of Your Life

Heal your relationship with food and your body. Choose the best foods for your unique needs. Get the tools you need to live a healthy life. Receive continued support.

Note: In order to secure a spot on a dietitian’s schedule, we need a valid payment method on file.

Our Testimonials

Thank you for choosing us as the Best Dietitian Practice in STL (2023)

  • There have been times where my daughter will eat 4 bowls of carrots and turn down a cookie, and there have been times where she will want all the fruit snacks and nothing else, but it doesn’t stress me out because I know now that it’s just what her body wants in the moment. The information provided in your course not only helps my kids, but also opened my eyes to some of my own internal struggles around sugar and meal times!"

  • My sister Gifted this program to me and I'm so glad she did! I've already gotten so much out of watching the modules and reading the PDFs."

  • Understanding and implementing the Division of Responsibility in Feeding really takes the pressure off meal times. I love sitting down to enjoy dinner with my family and I hope it’s a memory my kids enjoy when they’re older too."

  • Also, againg, thank you for being so kind to "A". She usually does not like seeing "doctor like people", but she actually enjoys coming to see you, so that says a lot.

    by Mother of a Patient, Saint Louis, MO

  • I can't thank you enough for all you have done for us. I know we will continue to deal with food issues but at least I see hope. I honestly don't know how L(or myself) could have got through the past year without you. You literally are a lifesaver!! You are an amazing dietitian!!.

    by Mother of a Patient

  • Thank you for the caring devoted service and gentle compassion you have shown "S" over the years.

    by Mother of a Patient, Saint Louis, MO

  • I am truly grateful we found you to be he nutritionist. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

    by Mother of a Patient, Saint Louis, MO

  • "For most of my life, I have correlated the size of my body to being loved and accepted. The smaller I am, the more lovable and acceptable I am. Giving up the dieting, the rules, and the noise has given me the freedom to trust, appreciate and accept love from others as well as myself".

    by

  • I truly appreciate the encouragement and hearfelt, genuine concern you have for me. Your counsel and empathy have meant a great deal and helped keep me going during difficult times.

    by C, Saint Louis, MO

  • Thanks for helping me think about food differently and providing guidance regarding how to select carbs. Also, thanks for helping me recognize that the evolution would take several months to come to a 'new normal'.

    by E, Saint Louis, MO

We Accept Insurance

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Branz Nutrition in the Media

Best Diets 2024  By Michelle Wilson

Intermittent Fasting By Michelle Wilson

How Healthy is That Pumpkin Latte By Michelle Wilson

Tips for Getting Back to a Healthy Eating Patterns after the Holidays By Michelle Wilson

Nutrition Blog & Latest News

Our team of Dietitians offers online support as well as in-person appointments in MO and IL.