Feed My Soul with Kristen Bunger
Episode 66: Show notes
In this episode, Erin sits down with Kristen Bunger, a passionate advocate for intuitive eating and a Christian perspective on approaching food, movement, rest, and body image. Kristen shares about discovering a deeper understanding of God’s role in our relationship with food. Their conversation dives into the intersection of faith and nutrition, dispelling misconceptions and offering practical advice for finding peace with food and body.
From facing fears around food to the profound impact of faith on recovery, this episode is a powerful exploration of intuitive eating through a Christian lens. Join us as Kristen shares her insights, professional experiences, and her book, “Feed My Soul,” to help listeners find spiritual and physical nourishment.
In this Episode we cover:
- Her journey of encountering diet culture in school to become a Registered Dietitian at a world renowned Christian eating disorder treatment facility
- The blessing of seeing the intersection of science and faith
- Understanding eating disorders and the disordered eating spectrum
- How to know if you need help in healing your relationship with food and body
- What it’s like transitioning from disordered eating to intuitive eating
- Exploring core needs and recognizing how it’s not about the food
- The God story behind her book “Feed My Soul” – a love letter to the church about needs and where we get them met
- Finding true peace with food, movement, rest and body image and misconceptions in the church
- Inviting the church to be vessels of peace and bring the gospel into every part of life
Links & Resources Mentioned in this Episode:
- Boundaries for Your Soul by Dr. Allison Cook
- Unworthy Weight by Kristin Williams
- Feed Yourself by Leslie Schilling
Connect with our guest Kristen Bunger
Kristen received her bachelor’s degree from Samford University and completed her dietetic internship and master’s program in clinical nutrition at the University of Alabama at Birmingham with an emphasis in maternal and child health.
After graduating she moved to Arizona and worked at an inpatient eating disorder treatment facility with children, adolescents, and adults for 3 1/2 years before joining the team at Phoenix Children’s Hospital. There she specialized in the treatment of patients with eating disorder, hematology, and oncology diagnoses. She also became very familiar with infant and child feeding difficulties as part of the clinical nutrition team.
She is thrilled to now be owner of Body and Soul Nutrition Counseling where she is able to focus her practice on clients struggling with eating disorders and disordered eating. Kristen is a Health at Every Size and Intuitive Eating dietitian who truly believes that healing the relationship with food is one of the most important aspects of someone’s health. As a Christian, Kristen has the ability and willingness to incorporate Christian principles into treatment when requested by the client.
Kristen lives in Peoria, Arizona with her husband Keith and their two sons, Bennett and Anderson. She loves spending her free time playing with her boys, spending time with family and friends, enjoying the Arizona sun, cooking, and reading.
Nourishing the Soul: Integrating Intuitive Eating and Faith
In this episode of the “Intuitive Eating for Christian Women” podcast, Erin welcomed Kristen Bunger, a passionate advocate for intuitive eating and a dedicated Christian. Kristen’s expertise in intuitive eating and her unwavering faith in God provided a unique perspective on how to find peace with food, movement, rest, and body image while aligning with one’s spiritual beliefs.
Throughout the insightful conversation, Kristen highlighted the significance of focusing on the energy being consumed, rather than fixating on specific types of foods. Her emphasis on starting with familiar, comforting foods and gradually incorporating foods that may evoke fear resonated deeply with those navigating their relationship with food. Kristen’s distinction between fear and danger shed light on the importance of confronting fears to overcome anxiety related to food, offering a refreshing perspective on healing from disordered eating habits.
This conversation with Kristen Bunger is a source of inspiration for listeners seeking to align their spiritual values with their approach to nourishing their bodies. Kristen’s book “Feed My Soul” provides even more inspiration as it addresses misconceptions in the church and offers guidance on finding peace with food, movement, rest, and body image.
Quotes & Questions
What is the percentage of time you spend thinking about, planning for or behaving is being generated by your relationship with food?
Most everyone is disordered in their eating to some degree -especially if they have not pursued Intuitive Eating.
Eating Disorders are nothing more than unhealthy and irrational ways of getting healthy and rational needs met.
Eating disorders would not exist if we didn’t have body image issues.
Have you been duped into believing you need Jesus plus diets?
Have you been duped into believing that being a vessel of the Holy Spirit means you have to look a certain way?
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Want even more questions and ways to go deeper with the podcast content? Check out our Season 1 Podcast Workbook!
More about our Podcast
You will learn how the principles of Intuitive Eating align with Scripture so you can improve your relationship with food, your body, and God and cast out dieting for good.