Madison Rivas Madison Rivas

Navigating Food Advice After a Diagnosis—Without the Overwhelm

Wondering if you need to change your diet after a new diagnosis? You’re not alone. In this post, we explore the overwhelming pressure to “fix it with food,” why it’s not always the answer, and what truly supportive care can look like. Whether you’re feeling confused, anxious, or stuck in an internet rabbit hole, this one’s for you.

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Madison Rivas Madison Rivas

Why Do We Need to Eat Carbohydrates?

Carbs get a bad rap, but do they really deserve it? Despite what diet culture says, carbohydrates are essential for energy, brain function, and overall well-being. In this post, we’ll break down why your body needs carbs, where the fear of them comes from, and how eating enough can support your health—including in eating disorder recovery.

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Madison Rivas Madison Rivas

Eating When Everything Feels Overwhelming

Eating can feel complicated when stress is high. Whether you’re struggling to eat enough, feeling out of control with food, or turning to food for comfort, you’re not alone. This post offers practical, compassionate strategies to help you nourish yourself during overwhelming times—without shame or rigid rules. It also contains a really cute picture of my dog, Sophie. :)

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Madison Rivas Madison Rivas

I Want to Accept my Body, But…

Body acceptance can be challenging, especially in a culture that equates smaller with better. Many people struggle with thoughts like, "I want to accept my body, but _______ would be easier if it were smaller." While it’s true that different bodies have different abilities, the focus on weight as the sole solution to physical challenges often overshadows more sustainable and compassionate approaches. This post explores how to navigate the tension between body acceptance and wanting to change your body while recognizing the societal barriers that make this journey even more complex.

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Madison Rivas Madison Rivas

Why Is It So Hard to Stop and Eat?

Why is it so hard to stop and eat? In this Questions from Sessions post, I dive into the challenge of task switching, especially when it comes to taking a break for food. Learn why transitions feel so tough for neurodivergent folks and discover strategies to create supportive ‘pause points’ for yourself.

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Madison Rivas Madison Rivas

Questions from Sessions: Why Hasn’t Feeding Myself Gotten Easier?

Years into eating disorder recovery, one question can still linger: ‘Why hasn’t feeding myself gotten easier?’ In this post, I explore the frustration behind this question, the distinction between recovery and executive functioning challenges, and why feeding yourself isn’t about being perfect—it’s about finding what works for you.

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Madison Rivas Madison Rivas

Craving Structure, Resisting Rules: Feeding Ourselves as Neurodivergent Individuals

Ever find yourself craving structure but completely rebelling against it at the same time? Same. In this post, I’m diving into why this dynamic is so common for neurodivergent folks and how it impacts our ability to feed ourselves. Plus, I’m sharing practical tips for building flexible systems (and backup plans!) that actually work for you.

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Madison Rivas Madison Rivas

Questions from Sessions: A New Blog Series Starting in the New Year

“Discover my new blog series, Questions from Sessions, launching in January 2025! Each week, I’ll explore real client questions about food, structure, and self-care—offering practical insights for neurodivergent individuals and anyone navigating the challenges of eating well in today’s world.”

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Madison Rivas Madison Rivas

Flexible Meals: Cooking and Preparing Meals as an ADHDer

Struggling with ADHD and meal preparation? Explore flexible meal ideas that break neuronormative rules. Create a more accommodating relationship with food, tailored to your unique preferences and needs. Say goodbye to rigid meal expectations and hello to a flexible, ADHD-friendly approach to eating.

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Madison Rivas Madison Rivas

ADHD and Perfectionism

I’ve seen it time and time again. A client comes to me who has known for years that they are struggling with an eating disorder. They have seen SO many providers to get help and just can’t seem to get a handle on things. People think they are getting by in life “just fine”, even though they are struggling deeply beneath the surface. They are reaching out for help with their eating disorder, but don’t realize that perfectionism is covering up undiagnosed ADHD. They don’t realize how ADHD and perfectionism are impacting their attempts to heal their relationship with food.

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Madison Rivas Madison Rivas

Part 3: Managing Sensory Overload at Mealtime - Touch

Sometimes feeling uncomfortable in our skin or physical environment can make eating meals a challenge. For folx who identify as neurodivergent, there can be additional barriers to figuring out how to address this discomfort. Let’s check in and see what we can do to manage our sense of touch at meal time.

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Madison Rivas Madison Rivas

Part 2: Managing Sensory Overload at Mealtime - 3 Strategies for Taste

When new or non-preferred taste, textures, or types of foods are present at mealtime it can create a sense of overwhelm, especially for neurodivergent individuals. Let’s explore some strategies to feel more regulated when our sense of taste is getting in the way of being able to eat.

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Madison Rivas Madison Rivas

Neurodivergent Perspectives: Is Intuitive Eating Right For Me?

Intuitive Eating is a great framework for helping chronic dieters break out of the dieting cycle and can be a great tool in eating disorder recovery. Working with many neurodivergent individuals over the years has shown me that intuitive eating isn’t the right fit for everyone in their journey to a more peaceful relationship with food. Want to find out whether intuitive eating is the right fit for you?

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