Taking Back your Power with Food & How to Support Those Who Are Struggling with Maria Monge, MD, MAT, Adolescent Medicine

#19. Maria Monge, MD, is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Internal Medicine, and Medical Education at the Dell Medical School at the University of Texas at Austin. She serves as the Division Director of Adolescent Medicine in the Department of Pediatrics. She founded and directs the adolescent medicine clinic at Dell Children's Medical Group, an interprofessional clinic devoted to the care of vulnerable children, adolescents, and young adults. Her clinical, educational, research and advocacy work all center around improving the lives of adolescents and young adults.

**We want to preface today’s episode with a trigger warning. These topics can be triggering, but we want this conversation to be actionable and a source of light for you. We are not licensed therapists. If you, a loved one, or a friend are struggling, we encourage you to seek out professional help. You are beautiful. You are loved. You are valued.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The definition of “diet” as a noun vs. “dieting” as a verb
• Societal fixation on weight and why weight and health have been equated
• Eating for fuel, for memory, for experiences
• The scarcity mindset and how to unlearn fear / judgement with food
• What we can learn from children when it comes to abundance
• Why there is no such thing as “clean” foods — “Why We Fell for Clean Eating” article link
• How to get “back into your body” and move forward with an intuitive approach to eating
• Why you have to be in touch with your body in order to eat well— and the science behind ADHD, depression, and anxiety playing into this
• The value of “logical eating” and how to do it
• The vulnerability of disordered eating when transitioning to college
• How to support someone in the “peripheral”— which is our term for someone that is struggling due to someone else’s struggling
• Confronting someone who may be struggling

MEET MARIA MONGE - Here

HOTLINES FOR IMMEDIATE HELP

• NEDA Helpline: phone and chat line available during business hours from Monday through Friday, for seeking support or resources for you or a loved one. Call 800-931-2237.
• ANAD Helpline: phone line with professionals available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT from Monday-Friday to offer support, information about eating disorders and treatment options. Call 630-577-1330.
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: If you or someone you know is in crisis—whether they are considering suicide or not—call the toll-free Lifeline at 800-273- 8255 to speak with a trained crisis counselor 24/7.
• Crisis Text Line: 24/7 text line for anyone to anonymously speak to a trained professional about mental health concerns. Text HOME to 741741.

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