247 The binge restrict trap: how to break free with Priya Tew (dietitian and disordered eating specialist)

In this week's episode, I'm joined by the brilliant Priya Tew — dietitian, eating disorder specialist, and someone who truly gets it because she's lived it. We're diving into the binge restrict cycle: that exhausting pattern of being "on it" one week and completely "off it" the next. If you're on a journey of binge eating recovery, or you're just starting to ask how to heal your relationship with food, this conversation is for you.Priya brings her clinical expertise and her own personal journey together to help us understand why this cycle keeps repeating — and it's not about willpower or discipline. It's about biology, the nervous system, and decades of diet culture we've absorbed without even realising it.We talk about the fear that keeps so many women stuck when it comes to emotional eating — and why that fear is actually making things worse. And Priya shares her approach to nervous system regulation, body neutrality, and the small but powerful daily practices that can start to break this cycle for good. Whether food freedom feels miles away right now, or you're simply tired of the guilt and the all-or-nothing thinking, this episode will meet you where you are.Key TakeawaysThe binge restrict cycle isn't a willpower problem — it's a biological and neurological response driven by restriction, stress, and a nervous system stuck in threat mode.Body neutrality is a realistic middle ground — you don't have to love your body, but self acceptance (rather than constant war) is where real change begins.Nervous system regulation is non-negotiable — whether it's meditation, a walk in the woods, or tending to houseplants, calming your threat brain is a foundational part of binge eating recovery.Regular eating, including "fun foods" every day — reduces the binge eating urge because restriction is what fuels the all-or-nothing thinking in the first place. This is intuitive eating in practice: learning to trust your body again and finding your own version of food freedom.If you've been wondering how to stop emotional eating, the answer starts not with more discipline, but with understanding what your nervous system is actually asking for.CONNECT WITH PRIYAVisit the websiteFollow on instagramPriya's binge proof plate freebie - get it herePriya's binge eating workbook - get it here