Body Positive
Body Positive Nutritionist in the St. Louis Area, Missouri, and Illinois
Get Medical Nutrition Therapy from a Body Positive Dietitian Nutritionist and Improve Your Relationship with Food and Body
What is the body positivity theory?
The body positivity movement is a social and cultural movement that advocates for acceptance and appreciation of all body types regardless of the person’s shape or size. Its goal is to challenge the cultural norm that a “smaller/thinner” body is considered superior or healthier than a person living in a larger body.
What are the criticisms of body positivity?
Overall, the body positive movement has made great strides. It does, like most things, face some criticism for its limitations and shortcomings with intersectionality. Some criticisms of the movement say it may promote an emphasis on body appearance (still celebrating the idea that ‘thin is better’). And, unfortunately, certain brands use it as a marketing technique.
We are mindful of these criticisms and how this important movement might have gotten watered-down over the years; nevertheless, our dietitian nutritionists try to support our patients, helping them heal their relationships with their bodies and learn to honor and value them.
Does that mean they love what they see every time they look in the mirror? Nobody does. But finding space to respect our bodies, accept our bodies, and feel freedom from what others might perceive about our bodies is something we believe everyone can achieve.
Meet with one of our dietitians, online or face-to-face, to begin healing your relationship with food and body and experience freedom. Exhale.
Can you be body positive and still want to lose weight?
Weight is not a sole determinant of health or worth and people can pursue health and wellbeing at any size meaning you can still pursue weight loss and actively work toward being body positive. Being body positive means accepting and respecting your body.
As dietitian nutritionists, we believe you should have the autonomy to make choices that support your overall health and wellbeing. Weight loss and body positivity can be compatible, but it is challenging.
In our nutrition practice, we work with our clients to help them restore their relationship with their bodies. We know this is hard, and we don’t expect it to happen overnight. But a key component of our work is redefining this relationship, moving to a neutral place where we can honor and value our bodies, and working toward being body positive.
This Today’s Dietitian article discusses the challenges of weight loss, body positivity, and achieving that critical balance in a dietetics practice.
What does a body positivity dietitian nutritionist do?
A body positivity dietitian practices within the Health at Every Size® module supporting intuitive eating and food freedom while ditching diet culture, addressing body image concerns, and working towards optimal health and wellbeing.
When did the body positivity movement start?
This important movement began in the 1960s with the “Fat Rights Movement.” A man in New York, Bill Fabray, was tired of watching how poorly his wife was treated because of her weight. He formed a group called the National Association to Aid Fat Americans (today known as the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance or NAAFA, the world’s longest-running fat rights organization). Fat Activism was budding around the United States and across the world, and over the following three decades, it continued to grow.
In the 2000’s with social media, individuals took to Instagram, Facebook, Tik-Tok and more and began to share their experiences, challenges and joys related to body image and self esteem. The term ‘body positivity’ was coined.
Medical Nutrition Therapy Services
- Body Image
- Body Positive
- Celiac Disease
- Dancer Nutritionist
- Diabetes
- Personalized Meal Plans
- Emotional Eating
- Fertility Dietitian
- Gastrointestinal Nutritionist
- Gestational Diabetes
- HAES Dietitian
- IBS Nutritionist
- Intuitive Eating Dietitian
- Mindful Eating
- No Diet Dietitian
- PCOS Dietitian
- Pediatric Nutritionist
- Plant-Based Vegan Vegetarian
- Pregnancy & Postpartum
- Sports Nutritionist
- Weight Gain
- Weight Management
Recent Post
Contact Us
Our Team
Licensed Dietitian Nutritionists in the Greater St. Louis Area
Branz Nutrition Counseling is a team of licensed dietitian nutritionists serving the Greater St. Louis area and clients nationwide through telehealth. We provide evidence-based nutrition counseling for individuals and families seeking support with their health, eating habits, and relationship with food.
Our weight-inclusive, LGBTQIA+-affirming approach is grounded in Intuitive Eating and Health at Every Size principles. We specialize in eating disorder recovery and nutrition care for chronic conditions such as PCOS, diabetes, and heart disease, offering compassionate, personalized support through in-person sessions in Illinois and Missouri and virtual care across multiple states.
How It Works
An Easy Three-Step Process to Get You on the Road to Recovery
Make An Appointment
What service do you need? We offer a range of appointments of different durations to best fit your needs, including online support groups, meal plans, and more.
01
Meet with your Personal Dietitian
Be paired with the dietitian nutritionist on our team and get continued support with one of our online groups. One-on-one counseling, in-person, or virtual. WE TAKE INSURANCE!
02
Take Control of Your Life
Heal your relationship with food and your body. Choose the best foods for your unique needs. Get the tools you need to live a healthy life. Receive continued support.
03
Schedule an appointment and we’ll verify your insurance for you!
Note: In order to secure a spot on a dietitian’s schedule, we need a valid payment method on file.
Testimonials
See how lives change — one nourishing choice at a time.
Our clients aren’t just improving their nutrition — they’re rebuilding trust with food, gaining confidence, and creating healthier, more balanced lives.
SIFU 5EFITTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Highly recommend this place! Super knowledgeable and very helpful! 10 out of 10!!! - SIFU Eric ToenniesTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I have been sending patients to Branz for a while now and there is nobody I trust more than these nutritionist and dieticians. They actually care about you and take a deep dive into your life to see what all is the reason or reasons that you cannot obtain the results you are looking for. They provide a great plan on how to get you from A to B in the best way possible. My favorite part of their care is when a patient comes back and tells me how thorough they have been in covering what is going on. Loshi VueTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I can’t say enough great things about this practice! The team brings professionalism, heart, and deep clinical expertise to every discussion. Their initiative to keep learning, growing, and leading within the field of nutrition truly sets them apart! HeatherTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We’ve worked with Branz Nutrition Counseling on several occasions, and each experience has been exceptional. The team is incredibly knowledgeable and professional, but what really sets them apart is how down-to-earth and approachable they are. Talking about food and eating behaviors can be very vulnerable—much like discussing any other mental health concern—and it makes a huge difference to work with people who meet you with kindness and zero judgment. The team at Branz truly makes people feel supported. They’re not there to lecture or shame; they’re there to help. We’ll continue to refer people to Branz because we trust they’ll be met with compassion, respect, and real expertise. Shawna RicheyTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Working with Michelle Wilson, RD, has been such a gift. Michelle’s warmness and professionalism shine through in every interaction, and she creates an environment where clients feel safe, supported, and truly cared for. As someone who frequently refers clients her way, I have complete trust in Michelle’s expertise and compassionate approach. I know that anyone I send to her will be met with thoughtful, individualized care, and that peace of mind is invaluable. I cannot recommend Michelle and Branz Nutrition Counseling highly enough! Hannah MilksTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Working with Michelle Wilson is a joy. She approaches each person as a human, not a "patient". She naturally balances humor and light heartedness with the necessary dedication, thoughtfulness, and empathy required to create meaningful change in people's lives. I highly recommend working with Michelle. Megan GleicherTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I cannot recommend Michelle enough. They are truly one of the most compassionate and knowledgeable dietitians I have ever worked with. Michelle understands the deep connection between mental health and eating disorders, and they approach their clients with kindness, flexibility, and genuine care. Sunny Day PsychiatryTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Michelle at Branz Nutrition Counseling is someone I would highly recommend! They have a friendly, genuine spirit and a strong ability to connect with colleagues and clients. Engaging, kind, and knowledgable, Michelle is a trusted resource for my clients seeking nutritional and eating disorder support. Alex MarlerTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Ask for Michelle Wilson. She is the best! Haley StaatsTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I have had nothing short of positive interactions with the entire Branz team. Michelle invited me into the ED helping professional community immediately and has been a warm, welcoming human from the moment I met her. She’s also such a wealth of knowledge. Love this team!
Branz Nutrition in the Media
Branz Nutrition in the Media
Spotlight on diet culture
Experts discuss its impact on schoolchildren’s health.
Wellness Wednesday
Adopting Healthy Attitudes about Food and Weight
Eating Disorder Dietitian
How to talk about food with your kids
Nutrition counselor
Child Eating Habits on Show Me St. Louis