Why Standard Diets Fail: The HAES Approach to Eating Disorders in Utah
Diets are often framed as the fix for feeling out of control with food or uncomfortable in your body. But for many people, traditional dieting leads to disappointment, burnout, or even more stress than before. You might follow all the “rules” and still feel stuck. This cycle of restriction, guilt, bingeing, and shame can feel familiar if you've spent years chasing a number on the scale or trying to meet someone else’s idea of “healthy.”
That’s where the HAES approach brings something different to the table—literally and emotionally. Health at Every Size doesn’t tell you to lose weight or to “get it right” with food. It instead encourages you to honor your body where it's at while working toward health in ways that feel possible. For folks in Utah, where body image is often shaped by both cultural and community messages, learning about the HAES model might offer a fresh and more compassionate direction in eating disorder recovery.
Why Standard Diets Fail
Anyone who has ever felt like a “failed dieter” knows the frustration of watching hard work fall apart. Diets are often built on restriction, shame, and unrealistic expectations. Even when they seem doable at first, they rarely work long-term—not because people lack willpower, but because most standard diets ignore what our bodies and minds actually need.
Here are a few common reasons traditional diets don’t hold up:
1. They disconnect you from hunger cues, making it harder to know what your body really needs.
2. They’re often based on rigid rules that trigger obsessive thinking about food.
3. They label foods as “good” or “bad,” driving guilt and anxiety.
4. They lead to cycles of restriction and bingeing, often followed by feelings of failure.
5. They don’t account for emotional eating or the deeper issues behind food behaviors.
The pressure to look a certain way can feel intense, especially in communities with strong social norms. In Utah, where wellness culture, religious influence, and beauty ideals often mix, that pressure can be tough to escape. If your self-worth feels tied to appearance or weight, it’s no surprise that standard diet plans fall short.
Throw in the physical toll—like slowed metabolism, fatigue, and hormonal changes—and it becomes even clearer where the problem lies. You’re not failing the diet. The diet is failing you.
Understanding the HAES Approach
HAES stands for Health at Every Size, and it shifts how we think about health, weight, and food. It’s not about ignoring health. It’s about expanding what health means, especially for people whose bodies don’t reflect diet culture’s narrow standards.
At the center of HAES are a few beliefs:
1. Bodies come in all sizes, and health isn’t limited to one body type.
2. Everyone deserves respectful, accessible care, no matter their size.
3. Health should focus on behaviors—like movement, rest, nourishment, and emotional support—rather than on the number on a scale.
Instead of putting your life on pause until a certain weight goal is hit, HAES asks a different question: What can I do right now to support my well-being?
For those recovering from an eating disorder or disordered eating patterns, HAES can offer a gentler approach. It shifts the focus from “How do I fix my body?” to “How can I feel more at home in my body?” It makes space for self-compassion, trust, and freedom from shame.
More therapists and care teams are adopting HAES because the old weight-centered methods often miss the bigger picture. HAES makes room for sustainable support by recognizing that health looks different for everyone. For many people in Utah, this shift can be an important part of genuine healing.
Benefits of HAES in Eating Disorder Treatment
When someone is trying to recover from an eating disorder, focusing on weight can delay progress. The HAES approach helps reduce that stress. It shifts the attention to what's happening inside—physically, mentally, and emotionally—which allows for deeper healing.
People often feel more connected to their bodies when given permission to listen instead of restrict. Eating becomes less about control and more about tuning in to hunger, satisfaction, and comfort. HAES supports this by encouraging body respect and intuitive choices.
Therapists in Utah who work from a HAES lens frequently see the following:
- Less obsession around food and weight
- Fewer binge-restrict patterns
- A stronger connection with body cues
- Higher self-esteem that isn’t tied to size
This model also supports mental health by challenging the shame, judgment, and isolation tied to dieting and appearance. For people in appearance-focused environments or religious communities, HAES can help shift long-held beliefs that keep healing out of reach.
In therapy, clients often report more confidence in choosing meals, dressing for comfort, and participating in social events—without the fear and pressure that used to dominate those choices. It’s not a quick fix, but it opens the door to more self-respect and resilience.
Finding a HAES Therapist in Utah
Not every therapist follows a HAES model, so finding the right fit matters. You’ll want someone who doesn’t see weight as the issue to be solved but instead looks at behavior patterns, beliefs, and emotional well-being.
Look for a HAES therapist who:
- Focuses on goals beyond your physical appearance
- Respects your body as it is now—not as a project to fix
- Understands how diet culture affects mental health
- Uses tools like intuitive eating and body neutrality
- Offers trauma-informed care, especially around medical and cultural shame
It can help to ask how a therapist views the role of weight in treatment. If they rely on weigh-ins or food tracking apps, they may not work from a HAES approach. On the other hand, if their sessions focus on body awareness, self-trust, and long-term mental health, you might be in the right place.
At Modern Eve Therapy, we take this model seriously. We serve clients in Utah who are ready to move away from shame and control strategies and build something more peaceful and lasting.
Embracing a Healthier Relationship with Food
Taking a HAES approach gives people an option when dieting has only led to frustration. Rather than chasing smaller jeans or a better number on the scale, it’s about growing a deeper relationship with your body.
This shift leads to more kindness, more curiosity, and less fear when it comes to food. In Utah, where appearance and perfection can feel especially important, this change can be deeply freeing. Healing isn’t about fitting into what others expect. It’s about figuring out what works for your real life—nourishing your body, feeling good in your skin, and creating safety where there’s been shame.
Recovery doesn’t stop at the mirror. It filters into daily actions—like how you feed yourself, how you rest, and how you show up even on difficult days. There’s no one-size-fits-all plan. But with honest support from a HAES therapist, you can begin writing your own story of well-being and self-trust.
If you're looking to approach your health and well-being with less stress and more clarity, working with a HAES therapist can be a meaningful part of your recovery journey. At Modern Eve Therapy, we support a holistic approach to healing that encourages a healthier relationship with food and body image, grounded in compassion and respect for your individual path.