Introduction
For many people, the thought of seeing a dietitian brings up difficult feelings, worries about being weighed, judged, or told to cut out foods you enjoy. At Relinquish, based on the Gold Coast, we take a different approach. We practice through a Health at Every Size (HAES) lens, creating a safe and inclusive space where healing your relationship with food and your body is the focus. Whether you are seeking support for eating disorder recovery or wanting to find food freedom, we are here to walk beside you.
What Does HAES Mean?
Health at Every Size (HAES) is an evidence-based framework that challenges weight-centred health care. Instead of measuring health by the number on the scale, HAES recognises that:
• Bodies come in many shapes and sizes, and all are worthy of respect.
• Weight is not a behaviour. Focusing on health behaviours creates more sustainable change.
• Food is not “good” or “bad.” All foods have value and can be part of a nourishing life.
• Listening to your body’s cues, such as hunger, fullness, and satisfaction, helps restore trust in your body.
At Relinquish, these values are woven into every session. We hold space for meaningful and sometimes difficult conversations about diet culture, body image and the pressures of health and beauty standards, while supporting you to reconnect with your body’s wisdom.
How a HAES Dietitian Supports Eating Disorder Recovery
Traditional weight-focused models often reinforce shame and guilt around food. For someone experiencing an eating disorder, this can make recovery even harder. A HAES-aligned dietitian offers a compassionate alternative by:
• Providing trauma-informed care where your safety and comfort always come first.
• Helping you build food neutrality by removing the “good” versus “bad” labels.
• Supporting body trust and learning to listen to and respect your internal cues.
• Encouraging mindfulness around eating with a focus on pleasure, satisfaction and nourishment.
• Collaborating with your care team, including psychologists, GPs and support networks to ensure holistic care.
This approach reduces the power of diet culture and gives you space to heal without pressure to pursue weight loss.
HAES and the NDIS on the Gold Coast
For NDIS participants, access to a HAES-aligned dietitian can be life-changing. Nutrition support through the NDIS may be included under Capacity Building funding, helping participants to:
• Develop independent meal planning and food preparation skills.
• Improve overall well-being without weight stigma.
• Build confidence in navigating grocery shopping, cooking and social eating.
• Receive respectful and inclusive support tailored to individual needs and goals.
Whether you are an NDIS participant or a private client, Relinquish ensures your care plan reflects your values and priorities, not weight loss goals.
Why Choose Relinquish on the Gold Coast
Relinquish is more than a dietetics service. We are a safe and inclusive space where your story is heard. As experienced eating disorder dietitians, we bring together the science of nutrition with the compassion of trauma-informed, client-centred care.
Our philosophy is simple:
• All bodies are worthy.
• All foods are equal in their right to nourish.
• Health is about behaviours, not numbers.
• You do not need to change your body to live a meaningful life.
We aim to empower you to let go of food guilt, body shame and diet rules, so you can reconnect with your body and move towards healing.
Conclusion
If you are looking for a dietitian on the Gold Coast who understands the challenges of eating disorder recovery and offers care free from diet culture, Relinquish is here for you. We practice through a HAES lens, ensuring you feel safe, respected and supported every step of the way.
Reach out today to learn how we can support you or someone you care about on the path to food freedom and body trust.