Eating Disorder Resources
Last updated April 21, 2026 · Reviewed by Helena Brandt, PhD, RDN
If you are in crisis right now: call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, US), call NEDA at 1-800-931-2237, or text "NEDA" to 741741. If you are at risk of self-harm, reach out to emergency services without delay.
National hotlines & resources
| Resource | Contact | What it offers |
|---|---|---|
| 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline | Call or text 988 | 24/7 free, confidential assistance for anyone facing mental-health challenges, including eating-disorder crises. Also accessible via web chat. |
| NEDA Helpline (National Eating Disorders Association) | 1-800-931-2237 Text "NEDA" to 741741 | Information, referrals, and support for individuals with eating disorders and their families. Hours vary by day. |
| ANAD Helpline (National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders) | 1-888-375-7767 | Complimentary, peer-support helpline. Links callers to recovery mentors and treatment information. |
| F.E.A.S.T. | feast-ed.org | Global nonprofit dedicated to assisting families and caregivers of those dealing with eating disorders. Provides education, peer support, and resources for navigating treatment. |
| NAMI Helpline | 1-800-950-6264 | Information on mental health, treatment referrals, and support; not specific to eating disorders but beneficial for co-occurring conditions. |
Calorie tracking can become disordered
We evaluate calorie tracking applications. It is essential to acknowledge that this activity is not neutral for everyone. Studies have indicated a link between the use of calorie tracking apps and disordered eating behaviors, especially among college-aged women and those with a previous history of eating disorders. The reason is simple: the features that are beneficial for some users (specific calorie goals, detailed macro tracking, daily streaks, gamified weight loss) can lead vulnerable users to obsessive behavior, restriction, and compensatory actions.
The classification is not "disordered tracking is uncommon and doesn't impact average users." The truth is more nuanced: tracking can be constructive at one end, neutral in the middle, and detrimental at the other end. The position of any individual user on this spectrum is influenced by their history, current mental health situation, and the design elements of the specific app. We strive to highlight the design elements most linked to risk in our app evaluations, but we cannot determine where any individual user stands.
10 warning signs that calorie tracking has become disordered
- You feel anxious, guilty, or upset when unable to log a meal.
- You document every food item before consuming it, and reconsider eating if the calorie count appears high.
- Calorie or macro goals feel like rules that carry emotional repercussions if violated, rather than guidelines that can be adjusted to context.
- You skip meals or limit food intake to "save calories" for later or to make up for a previous meal.
- You exercise specifically to "earn" calories or to counteract what you consumed, and your exercise intensity is increasing.
- The weight on the scale, the calorie count in the app, or both, dictate your mood for the day.
- You conceal or downplay your tracking from family, friends, or a clinician.
- You suffer from intrusive thoughts about food, calorie counts, or body weight that disrupt work, relationships, or sleep.
- You have lost a significant amount of weight (or are trying to) below a clinically appropriate threshold, and tracking is perpetuating the underweight trend.
- You have a history of an eating disorder, and tracking is, in your honest assessment, triggering that behavior again.
If three or more of these apply to you at this moment, we recommend stepping back from calorie tracking and consulting a clinician with expertise in eating disorders. Calorie tracking is not the sole method for managing weight or nutrition, and for certain users, the potential drawbacks may outweigh the benefits.
Editorial commitment
Helena Brandt, our methodology director and a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist with academic qualifications in dietary assessment validation, reviews every Independent Reviews page that discusses calorie tracking to ensure it is framed safely for those with eating disorders prior to publication. She has authority over this process and exercises it; about one in five drafts undergoes rewriting under her guidance for language that, in her opinion, normalizes restriction or heightens anxiety.
This page is a permanent aspect of the site, not merely a footer-link afterthought. We refresh the resource list whenever a national hotline updates its contact information or hours. If you come across an outdated resource, please email us.