Overeaters Anonymous EXPOSED! A Dietitian Review

Is Overeaters Anonymous (OA) a lifeline for food struggles, orrrrrr another "just don't eat it" diet in disguise? In this tell-all episode, I tap into the origins of OA, its 12-step model, and the red flags I’ve seen firsthand working with clients who turned to OA for help with binge eating and emotional eating. 🚩

You’ll hear the history, the philosophy, and the claims behind OA, plus the reasons why it might actually fuel food noise and binge-restrict cycles rather than solve them. I’ll also share better alternatives that are backed by research, compassion, and long-term sustainability.

If you’ve ever wondered, “Does OA actually work?” or “Could Overeaters Anonymous help me?” ... this episode is for you.

And if you find the show helpful, don’t forget to leave a rating and review — it helps this podcast reach more women who need freedom from food guilt and binge eating. 😁😁😁

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Get a behind the scenes look at our process that reduces binge eating by an average of 92% [for free] in The Binge Free Blueprint

TOPICS COVERED

• The surprising origins of Overeaters Anonymous (OA)
• Why comparing food to alcohol doesn’t hold up
• The 12 steps of OA, and what they mean in practice
• How OA turns food into a moral issue (and why that’s a huge mistake)
• The risks of abstinence-based “trigger food” rules
• What ex-members say about meetings, sponsors, and food plans
• Why OA may do more harm than good for binge eating and/or binge eating disorder
• Evidence-based alternatives that actually support healing
• How to quiet food noise without shame or abstinence

JUMP TO:

00:00 OA Under the Microscope: Why I’m Talking About This
07:41 The 12 Steps of OA — Helpful or Harmful?
16:45 Food, Faith, and Shame: The Higher Power Debate
21:02 Red Flags: Where OA Misses the Mark
31:00 Better Options: What Works Instead of OA
37:55 Final Verdict: My Honest Review of OA

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stellar reality check

Michelle broke down what could work, doesn't work, and why some approaches will never work easily, and digestibly. very enlightened.