Issue 15 – Early Signs of Disordered Eating That Often Get Missed

Subtle patterns a dietitian wants you to notice, before they become bigger struggles

Not all disordered eating is obvious. Some of the earliest signs can look pretty normal, even admirable: a busy schedule, “healthy habits,” being disciplined about food. But underneath, things aren’t always so simple.

In this video, we draw on years of experience to share some of the subtle, easy-to-miss patterns that can show up before disordered eating becomes a bigger struggle. This isn’t about labeling or diagnosing yourself, a loved one, or a client. It’s about noticing patterns early, because subtle shifts matter, and early support can make a real difference.

Whether you’re noticing these patterns in your own life, in someone you care about, or in your work as a health professional, this page walks through what to look for and when it may help to reach out to a Registered Dietitian.

🎥 Short Watch: 

Sign 1: Skipping Meals

One of the most common early signs is skipping meals, often explained away with reasons like “I’m just busy,” “I forgot to eat,” or “I’m not that hungry.” Sometimes that’s exactly what’s happening, and there’s nothing more to it.

But if it’s happening often, or there’s a pattern of consistently pushing hunger aside, it’s worth getting curious about what’s underneath it.

Sign 2: Food Rules That Quitely Build

Another sign is a gradual increase in food rules. This might look like cutting out certain foods or entire food groups, feeling like you “should” eat a certain way, or becoming more rigid and all-or-nothing about eating.

Here’s what often gets missed: this pattern is sometimes praised. Comments like “you’re so disciplined” or “you’re eating so healthy” can feel encouraging, but that reinforcement can make it harder to notice when something has shifted from feeling supportive to feeling restrictive.

Sign 3: Awareness Around Body

A third sign is increasing anxiety connected to food, body, or routine. This can show up as anxiety in social eating situations, worry about changes in the body, or distress when a usual routine can’t be followed. Food may start taking up more mental space than it used to.

Left unaddressed, this can lead to more isolation, avoidance, health anxiety, and a world that starts to feel smaller.

Why These Patterns Develop

None of this means something is “wrong” with a person. These patterns often develop for a reason, as a way of coping, seeking a sense of control, or trying to feel better. They can genuinely help in the short term, which is part of why they’re hard to interrupt without support.

But they are signals. And noticing them early creates more room to respond with support, rather than waiting until things feel “serious enough.”

When to Consider Reaching Out

You don’t have to wait until things feel like a crisis to ask for help. If food is starting to feel stressful, rigid, or like it’s taking up more mental space than it used to, that’s reason enough to reach out.

For mental health and allied health professionals, these signs may surface in session in ways that aren’t explicitly about food, showing up instead as anxiety, social withdrawal, or rigid thinking patterns. Recognizing when a client’s concerns may be connected to food, eating, or body image, and knowing when to loop in a Registered Dietitian, can be a valuable part of collaborative, whole-person care.

A Helpful Reflection

Whether you’re exploring this for yourself or with a client, it can help to ask: what food rules or guiding principles are currently in place? How rigid are they? And how much room is there to flex them?

Thank you for joining us for this issue of Nutrition for Mental Health. We always value your perspective. Feel free to reply with any thoughts, questions, or experiences you’d like to share! We’d love to hear from you.

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