In a world obsessed with body image and restrictive diets, it’s easy to feel lost and ashamed when your relationship with food becomes complicated. For queer people, these struggles are further compounded by societal pressures, cultural expectations, and a health care system that often lacks affirming care. That’s where Lindsay Krasna of LK Nutrition steps in, offering expertise and a compassionate, queer-affirming approach to healing relationships with food and body image.
As a Registered Dietitian with a master’s degree in counseling psychology, Lindsay brings a unique blend of science, empathy, and lived experience to her practice. She understands that eating disorders aren’t just about food—they’re deeply intertwined with mental health, identity, and personal history. For queer individuals, these factors are magnified by societal stigma, discrimination, and community-specific pressures around body ideals.
Unpacking Shame and Stigma in the Queer Community
LGBTQ+ individuals often experience a fractured relationship with their bodies due to societal messaging that our identities, desires, and appearances are “wrong.” Many learn early on to disconnect from their physical selves—whether due to homophobia, transphobia, or the rigid body ideals that exist even within queer spaces.
These struggles manifest in different ways across the queer community. Androgyny is frequently equated with thinness, trans individuals may feel pressure to manipulate their weight to “pass,” and rigid ideals around masculinity and femininity can lead to harmful eating and exercise patterns. Beyond these community pressures, systemic barriers—such as food insecurity, lack of family support, and limited access to affirming providers—make recovery even more difficult.
Despite these challenges, Lindsay emphasizes that healing is possible, and seeking help is valid whether or not someone has a formal diagnosis. “If eating or body image concerns are interfering with your life, you deserve support,” she says.
Breaking the Stereotypes Around Eating Disorders
One of the biggest misconceptions about eating disorders is that they have a “look”—typically a thin, white, cisgender woman. This stereotype erases the experiences of countless individuals, particularly those in the queer community.
“Most people with eating disorders aren’t ‘underweight’ according to BMI,” Lindsay notes. “And many aren’t white, thin, young, cis-het, or able-bodied.”
Diet culture and societal discrimination create unique challenges for LGBTQ+ individuals, reinforcing the harmful message that their bodies are something to be controlled, hidden, or changed. “The idea that ‘you can’t trust your body’ is at the root of both homophobia and diet culture,” Lindsay explains. “For some, disordered eating becomes a way to cope or exert control.”
Trans and non-binary individuals, in particular, face added complexities, including how hormone therapy impacts weight and appetite, as well as the dysphoria that can make body image struggles even more intense. Unfortunately, mainstream eating disorder treatment often fails to address these specific needs, with many programs designed around gendered spaces and binary thinking.
Lindsay hopes for a future with more queer-affirming providers and treatment spaces that truly reflect the needs of LGBTQ+ individuals. In the meantime, resources like FEDUP, The Alliance for Eating Disorders, and directories like Manhattan Alternative can help connect queer people to support.
LK Nutrition Has a Holistic Approach to Healing
Lindsay’s approach to nutrition counseling goes far beyond meal plans and calorie counts. At LK Nutrition, clients are guided through a process of reconnecting with their bodies, challenging harmful narratives, and developing a more intuitive relationship with food.
“I always found it fascinating when people said, ‘I know what I should do around food and exercise, but I struggle to act on it,’” Lindsay says. “Eating is about so much more than intellectual knowledge—it’s deeply connected to emotions, identity, and lived experiences.”
For LGBTQ+ individuals, unlearning diet culture and societal messaging requires a space that is safe, affirming, and nonjudgmental. Lindsay prioritizes individualized care, helping clients break free from shame and develop self-trust. This holistic approach allows for lasting change, creating a path toward healing that is both practical and deeply personal.
Embracing Self-Acceptance and Seeking Support
If you’re struggling with an eating disorder or disordered eating, know that you’re not alone. Seeking help is a sign of strength, and resources exist to support you on your journey. Lindsay Krasna and LK Nutrition provide a safe, affirming space for LGBTQ+ individuals to heal and rebuild their relationship with food.
Eating disorders don’t have a single “look,” and many people struggle in silence due to shame or fear of not being understood. Your relationship with food is deeply personal, and there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. By working with a provider who understands and respects your identity, you can begin to let go of shame, rebuild trust in yourself, and cultivate a healthier, more affirming connection with your body.
