Overcoming Binge Eating Disorder: An Interview With Eating Disorder Specialist Marcelle Rose

Binge eating disorder (BED) is the UK’s most common eating disorder, and the number of women affected could surge in coming years. Helping those affected is Marcelle Rose, one of the UK’s leading nutritionists and disordered eating specialists. We spoke with her to mark the publication of her new bestselling new guide The Binge Freedom Method.

You warn that weight-loss drugs and fad diets could trigger a surge in binge eating disorder (BED) by 2030. What makes these ‘quick fixes’ so risky, and why do they often backfire?

They rely on restriction, which is a major trigger for binge eating. Suppressing appetite or drastically cutting calories can lead to intense cravings, a biological drive to eat, and a disconnection from natural hunger and fullness cues, making rebound bingeing more likely when the diet or drug is stopped. They reinforce the idea that thinness equals success, fuelling guilt and shame when they inevitably fail. Instead of solving the root causes of binge eating, they are likely to push people deeper into the cycle, increasing the risk of binge eating disorder in the long term.

 BED is the most common eating disorder in the UK, yet it’s still widely misunderstood. What are some of the biggest myths surrounding binge eating, and why do they persist?

One of the biggest misconceptions about binge eating is that it’s just a lack of willpower or greed when, in reality, it’s a complex disorder driven by biological, psychological, and emotional factors. Another common myth is that this eating behaviour only affects people with larger bodies when, in fact, BED can impact anyone, regardless of size. Many also assume that binge eating is just overeating but, in reality, it’s a distressing cycle of loss of control followed by intense feelings of guilt and shame. These myths persist because fewer people seek help due to the stigma surrounding binge eating, which is not taken as seriously as other eating disorders.

Social media is flooded with weight-loss transformations and diet hacks. How much of a role do you think platforms like TikTok and Instagram play in fuelling disordered eating?

Social media plays a huge role in fuelling disordered eating by normalising extreme dieting, glorifying thinness, and promoting unrealistic body ideals. Platforms like TikTok and Instagram are flooded with weight-loss transformations, diet hacks, and “what I eat in a day” videos that often encourage restriction and reinforce the idea that smaller is better. The algorithm amplifies content that sparks engagement, meaning vulnerable users – especially those struggling with body image – are repeatedly exposed to harmful messaging. This creates a cycle where people feel pressured to follow unsustainable food and exercise rules, which can lead to guilt, bingeing, and an unhappy relationship with food and their body.

You mention that BED doesn’t discriminate by age, gender, or background. Have you noticed any surprising trends in who is most affected by binge eating today?

One group that’s often overlooked is perimenopausal women, many of whom have a history of restriction or past eating disorders like anorexia. Hormonal shifts during this stage, along with changes in metabolism, appetite, and mood can make them more vulnerable to binge eating, especially if they’ve spent years controlling their weight through rigid dieting. Many women find that their body shape has changed, and it no longer responds the way it once did. This shows how diet culture and lifelong food rules can impact eating behaviours, even decades later, and why true recovery means addressing not just eating patterns but the beliefs that drive them.

The economic cost of eating disorders is estimated at £15billion annually. In your view, what needs to change in how we approach prevention and treatment at a national level?

There needs to be a fundamental shift away from weight-focused interventions and towards early education, prevention, and accessible treatment that addresses the root causes of eating disorders. Too often, support is only available once someone is in crisis and, even then, many people, especially those in higher-weight bodies, struggle to be taken seriously. We need better training for healthcare professionals to recognise eating disorders beyond the stereotypes, alongside policies that challenge diet culture messaging in schools, workplaces, and the media. Investment in mental health services is also crucial, ensuring timely access to treatment that focuses on long-term recovery rather than short-term symptom management. Without systemic change, the financial and human cost of eating disorders will only continue to rise.

BANT-registered nutritionist, coach, and specialist in eating disorders Marcelle Rose is author of new bestselling guide The Binge Freedom Method.

Your book introduces “Four Pillars”: Nourish, Balance, Think, and Feel. Could you give us a taste of how these work together to help people break free from binge eating?

The Four Pillars work together to address the root causes of binge eating, creating a sustainable path to recovery. ‘Nourish’ focuses on stabilising eating patterns and reducing cravings, while ‘Balance’ looks at the physical systems such as brain chemistry, gut health, and hormones that influence appetite and mood.

‘Think’ helps shift the beliefs and thought patterns that keep people stuck in cycles of dieting and bingeing, and ‘Feel’ supports emotional resilience, teaching healthier ways to manage stress and difficult feelings without turning to food. Rather than just treating the symptoms, this approach helps people rebuild trust with their bodies and build a balanced, mindful approach to eating.

Many people feel like they have ‘failed’ at dieting, which fuels shame and more bingeing. What’s the first step in breaking this cycle?

First, it’s important to recognise that you haven’t failed; diets have failed you. Restriction triggers a powerful biological and psychological response that makes binge eating almost inevitable, so the cycle isn’t a personal weakness but a natural reaction to deprivation. Breaking free starts with nourishing your body consistently, at the same time challenging diet rules and shifting your focus from weight loss to overall wellbeing, creating space for a healthier relationship with food.

Your book includes access to over 40 recipes. What’s one of your favourites, and why?

All the downloadable recipes are quick, nutritious, and tasty, making it easy to enjoy balanced meals without spending hours in the kitchen. One of my favourites is the Speedy Chicken Tikka because it’s quick, full of flavour, and makes a satisfying meal without hours in the kitchen. It’s also a great one to prep ahead. Just marinate the chicken in the morning and by dinnertime, you have a delicious, protein-packed meal ready in no time. Served with salad and a side of rice, it’s balanced, nourishing, and perfect for anyone looking for a fuss-free, homemade meal.

What’s one common piece of diet advice that makes you cringe every time you hear it?

“Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels.” This phrase is not only harmful but completely untrue, both physically and emotionally. It promotes the idea that hunger and deprivation are virtuous while ignoring the fact that food is meant to nourish, satisfy, and bring joy. Statements like this fuel disordered eating by glorifying restriction and reinforcing the belief that self-worth is tied to body size. In reality, true well-being comes from listening to your body, eating in a way that supports both physical and mental health, and freeing yourself from the exhausting pursuit of thinness.

 If someone reading this is struggling with binge eating right now, what’s one simple but powerful change they can make today to start shifting their relationship with food?

One simple but powerful change is to start eating regular meals throughout the day, without skipping or delaying them. Going too long without food disrupts your body’s appetite signals, leading to intense cravings and a higher chance of bingeing or overeating. By committing to three balanced meals a day (with snacks if needed), you help to stabilise blood sugar levels, support satiety, and reduce the physical drive to overeat. It allows you to rebuild trust with your body, reinforcing that food is consistently available and not something to fear or restrict. Aligning your eating patterns with your body’s internal clock can further support your energy levels, digestion, and metabolism too.

You’ve worked with so many clients on their journeys to food freedom. Is there a particular success story that has stuck with you?

There are so many, but one that stands out is a client who came to me in her seventies after decades of yo-yo dieting and feeling completely out of control around food. She had spent years believing that if she could just find the ‘right’ diet, everything would fall into place, but each attempt only led to more restriction, more bingeing, and more shame. Through our work together, she started nourishing her body consistently, challenging the deep-seated beliefs she had around food and weight, and learning how to manage her emotions without turning to food. The shift was incredible: she went from feeling trapped in an endless cycle of binge eating and guilt to eating with trust in herself and genuine enjoyment. The best part was that she told me she finally felt free, not just around food but in her own body. She’s no longer holding herself back, waiting until she’s a certain size to live her life. Instead, she’s embracing new experiences and doing things she’d always put off.

 If you could change just one thing about the way society approaches weight and body image, what would it be?

I would change the way we equate weight with worth, health, and success. Society constantly reinforces the idea that smaller bodies are better, which fuels shame, disordered eating, and a never-ending pursuit of thinness at the expense of well-being. If we could shift the focus away from weight and towards true health – nourishing the body, respecting its needs, and valuing all shapes and sizes – we’d create space for people to develop a more positive, peaceful relationship with food and themselves. No one should feel like their body is a problem to be fixed.

Marcelle Rose is a BANT-registered nutritionist, coach, and specialist in eating disorders and behaviour change. With a unique synergy of nutritional therapy, eating psychology, and mindset coaching, she helps people worldwide overcome binge eating, emotional eating, and eating disorders. Her compassionate and practical approach empowers clients to build self-worth, achieve lasting food freedom and reclaim their life. Her new book, The Binge Freedom Method: Your Four Pillar Plan to Beat Emotional Eating for Good, out now, introduces her signature ‘Four Pillar’ framework – Nourish, Balance, Think, and Feel – to address the physical, emotional, and psychological roots of binge eating. It includes actionable steps, tools and strategies, plus over 40 simple recipes, and a downloadable workbook to help readers break free from the cycles of guilt, shame, and cravings.