

Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder Recovery
Livia Sara
Want to understand the link between neurodivergence and eating disorders? The Liv Label Free Podcast provides you with insights and strategies for recovery through meaningful conversations and stories of lived experience. Your host, Livia Sara, is an autistic ED warrior that now guides other neurodivergent individuals and their loved ones to a life of freedom. Learn more about Livia on her website livlabelfree.com and follow her on Instagram @livlabelfree!
Episodes
Mentioned books
Oct 9, 2024 • 20min
Extreme Hunger or Binge Eating Disorder? How To Tell The Difference!
Are you afraid that you're "swinging to the other side" and developing binge eating disorder after a restrictive eating disorder such as anorexia or orthorexia? You're not alone, and you have nothing to be ashamed of. One of the most common fears in ED recovery is the fear that honoring extreme hunger will lead you to become addicted to food and thus, become a binge eater. This is definitely a fear I had! In this episode, you'll learn the key difference between extreme hunger and binge eating disorder so you can embark on the recovery path that's right for you.
🍩 Want more help? Grab a copy of my book How to Beat Extreme Hunger🫶 Schedule a consultation call for 1-1 coaching here 📖 Download my FREE GUIDE with answers to the top 10 most frequently asked questions about extreme hunger!📝 Read the blog post of this episode
Connect with Livia: 🍩 INSTAGRAM 🌐 WEBSITE 📚 BOOKS
Oct 6, 2024 • 32min
The Science Behind Extreme Hunger in ED Recovery
Extreme hunger, like many aspects of eating disorder recovery, can be incredibly frightening. As an autistic person that always needs to know the "why" behind concepts so I can take informed action, understanding the science behind extreme hunger was an important part of my ED recovery journey. This episode delves into the role extreme hunger plays in achieving a state of full recovery, including:
What is extreme hunger and when does it happen in eating disorder recovery?
Biological reasons people with a history of restriction, such as anorexia or bulimia, experience extreme hunger
Different types of extreme hunger in ED recovery, including mental hunger, eating-induced hunger, and exercise hunger
📚 Grab your copy of How to Beat Extreme Hunger🫶 Schedule a consultation call for 1-1 coaching here📖 Download my FREE GUIDE with answers to the top 10 most frequently asked questions about extreme hunger!📝 Read the blog post of this episode
Connect with Livia:🍩 INSTAGRAM 🌐 WEBSITE 📚 BOOKS
Oct 3, 2024 • 10min
No Longer Being Able to Restrict in ED Recovery
Do you feel like you've lost the ability to restrict in eating disorder recovery? Are you developing binge eating disorder after anorexia because you can't stop eating? In this episode, Livia shares her lived experience of no longer being able to restrict in anorexia recovery and how she overcame the frustrations around this.
👉🏻 Join Autistically ED-Free Group Coaching📚 Buy my books here💌 Receive Liv Label Free weekly emails
Connect with Livia: 🍩 INSTAGRAM 🌐 WEBSITE🫶 SUBSCRIBE
Sep 30, 2024 • 55min
Are Eating Disorders Anxiety Disorders? w/ Chris Sandel
In this discussion, Chris Sandel, a nutritionist and expert in eating disorder recovery, sheds light on the close relationship between eating disorders and anxiety. He emphasizes how addressing anxiety can aid in preventing relapse and the importance of creating a life vision beyond just recovery. Chris also advocates for embracing fear foods to build resilience, the healing power of love in recovery, and recognizing negative thoughts as separate entities. His insights highlight a holistic approach to fostering recovery and well-being.
7 snips
Sep 26, 2024 • 48min
Reflecting on my Eating Disorder Through an Autistic Lens
Livia shares her powerful journey through eating disorder recovery while navigating autism. She discusses how mundane life events can trigger overstimulation and the unique challenges of living with others. Insights on coping strategies highlight the interplay between sensory needs and recovery. Livia reflects on the emotional weight of weight gain, addressing all-or-nothing thinking. By connecting her past struggles to everyday mishaps, she emphasizes the importance of compassion in understanding neurodivergent experiences and the path to healing.
Sep 25, 2024 • 2min
What to Expect from The Liv Label Free Podcast 🌈
Do you want to increase your understanding of the link between neurodivergence and eating disorders? If so, you are in the right place! On the Liv Label Free Podcast, autism advocate and eating disorder survivor Livia Sara shares insights and strategies on how to make eating disorder recovery neurodiversity-affirming. You’ll learn how to use your autistic and ADHD traits to your advantage in ED recovery through a combination of science and lived experience. Whether you're here for yourself or to support a loved one struggling with disordered eating, everyone is welcome 🌈 Be sure to subscribe to stay up to date on the latest episodes, leave a positive rating and review if you gain value from my content, and share this podcast with anyone and everyone who you believe would benefit. The connection between autism, ADHD, and eating disorders is incredibly misunderstood, but together, we can break the stigmas and get everyone the help they deserve.
Connect with Livia:💗 INSTAGRAM 🌐 WEBSITE 📚 BOOKS
Sep 23, 2024 • 13min
How Much Food is TOO Much in ED Recovery? (Autism Edition)
Livia Sara, an autism and eating disorder recovery coach, discusses the unique challenges faced by autistic individuals in food recovery. She emphasizes that while many believe there are no limits in recovery, setting boundaries can help those with neurodivergent minds. The conversation unveils the significance of understanding extreme hunger, highlighting personal experiences and tailored coaching programs. Listeners will gain insight into navigating the complexities of eating disorders through an autistic perspective.
Sep 18, 2024 • 30min
How I Eat Intuitively as a Neurodivergent Person Recovered From an Eating Disorder
How do I eat intuitively as an autistic person that’s recovered from an eating disorder? This is a question I’ve received so often, and for good reason! I talk all about food freedom, extreme hunger, and honoring your body’s needs, while at the same time talking about how autistic people may struggle with recognizing bodily cues and how many behaviors that may seem restrictive from an eating disorder lens are actually manifestations of autistic traits. So how does honoring hunger fit together with being autistic? Listen to this episode to find out!
Key Topics Discussed:
How lack of interoceptive awareness can complicate intuitive eating for neurodivergent folks
Why the concept of “fear foods” may look different for neurodivergent people in ED recovery
How meal plans can be a helpful tool for autistic people in eating disorder recovery
The role of the nervous system in an autistic person’s ability to sense and respond to hunger cues
How I implement the concepts “logical eating” and “freedom routines” as an autistic person that eats intuitively
Why I don’t always recommend getting rid of the food scale in eating disorder recovery
🧑🍳 Grab your copy of Nourishing Neurodiversity📚 Grab your copy of How to Beat Extreme Hunger🫶 Schedule a consultation call for 1-1 coaching here📝 Read the blog post of this episode
Connect with Livia: 🍩 INSTAGRAM 🌐 WEBSITE 📚 BOOKS
Sep 15, 2024 • 49min
Our favorite "weird" autistic food combinations! 🍫🥔🍦
Many autistic people enjoy eating food combinations that are considered “weird” by society. Although “disordered” eating can often underlie the creation of odd meals, it’s critical to invite compassion and curiosity before accusing the behaviors of being “the eating disorder talking.”
In today's episode of the Liv Label Free Podcast, Livia Sara and her co-host Mike share some of their favorite “weird” food combinations! We also cover past treatment experiences and emphasize how different cultures have different ideas of what’s “normal.”
Get a taste of what we talk about:
Fast Food Memories
A Diabolical History of Potatoes
A Very, Very Autistic Rant on the Semantics of Pancakes
Mike’s Unforgivable Sin Against a Hot Dog
High Class Peanut Butter
A Brief History of Chicken and Waffles
🧑🍳 Grab your copy of Nourishing Neurodiversity
Connect with Livia:🍩 INSTAGRAM 🌐 WEBSITE 📚 BOOKS
Connect with Mike:📷 Instagram🌈 Neurodivergent Support Group🧘 Anxiety and Stress Support Group∞ Autism Peer Support Group
Sep 13, 2024 • 11min
Neurodivergent Meditation to Reduce Feeling Overwhelmed
If you're neurodivergent and feeling overwhelmed, you're not alone. Navigating a world that wasn't built for you IS overwhelming! Listen to this guided mediation to reduce overwhelm so you can unleash your powerful neurodivergent energy 🌟
Connect with Livia:🍩 INSTAGRAM 🌐 WEBSITE 📚 BOOKS
Listen to more meditations for autism, ADHD, and eating disorders here
Music from #Uppbeat (License code: RISQ0ZTSLKKGK3BD)


