Malak Saddy RD, LD/N, CEDS S

Ramadan/Raman can be really challenging when navigating this holy month with an eating disorder. Join me and next Friday at 4 pm CST on Instagram Live as we talk about all things Ramadan/Ramzan and eating disorders related. Drop your questions in the comments below 👇🏽

Loved getting a chance to chat with Casey and Whitney about all things culture, religion, and eating disorder related! Check it out!

New episode alert!

We sit down with our good friend and colleague and discuss food, culture, and religion.

Listen everywhere you typically listen to podcasts 🎧🎙

Malak Saddy RD, LD/N, CEDS S updated their address.

Malak Saddy RD, LD/N, CEDS S updated their address.

Welcome! I'm so glad you're here. I see some new faces and wanted to introduce myself!
I'm an registered dietitian (RD) and a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist Supervisor (CEDS-S). I consider myself a nutrition therapist helping people reconnect to their bodies through a non diet approach. I see clients 1:1 helping them in their healing journey. I love public speaking and sharing my passion with audiences. I'm also an CEDS Supervisor and enjoy mentoring RDs.
I love what I do and am beyond grateful to people who allow me to walk alongside them.

Swipe through to see what I've been up to since moving to Chicago. Here are some facts about me!
I started speaking at the age of 4. My mom says I woke up one morning and just never stopped talking. Which is still true to this day!
My favorite Lebanese dish is anything that my mom or Sitto (grandma) make.
I don't like the color pink.
I haven't lived in a city for more than five years since I went off to college!
I rescued my pup Debo exactly 1 month before the pandemic. He's my favorite sidekick.
I have triple citizenship and am bilingual in Arabic. Can you guess what those countries are?

So glad you're here. Tell me a fun fact about you or drop a 👋!

My name is Malak. No you may not call me M, or Mal, or Malik, or Malock, or anything other than MALAK.

As a kid I used to want to change my name to Melanie or Melissa or Jessica, something that was more "tolerable" than Malak. I'd cringe when teachers would get to my name as they mispronounced it and the kids laughed and pointed. In my 20s I came up with a song so people could remember how to say my name. To this day I still refer to myself in third person in some conversations to help remind people how to say it because I've had to correct them multiple times.

But you see, the thing is that I LOVE my name. I really never wanted to be called Melanie but I wanted to fit in at the ease of others and not myself. My name is beautiful, it's unique, and means Angel in Arabic.

I love my name. Malak.

My name holds value.

I hold value.

Next time you come across a name that you might not know how to pronounce just ask. "You have a really beautiful name, can you help me pronounce it?” That's all. Just ask.

I’m excited to be one of the speakers for the Living Well Series! Registration is officially OPEN for the Living Well Interview Series! 🎉

This summit was created to help you feel more comfortable around food and lose the pressure to have the perfect body regardless of your size or health status.

We’ve got 20 incredible speakers with topics ranging from Coping with "Feeling Fat" to Enjoying Your Cultural Foods, and everything in between.

The summit kicks off on October 25 and it’s going to be 4 action-packed days that you won’t want to miss.

Click the link in my bio to learn more and get your free ticket!!

Here’s your little weekend reminder to show your body some kindness! Honor your hunger by giving yourself the permission to eat the foods you want, connect to your fullness cues, and move and love your body in a way that feels right for you right now! Comparison is a natural and normal thing for our brain to do it. Instead of shaming ourselves for getting caught up in the game try and acknowledge the comparison thought and ask yourself what need isn’t being meet right now. Maybe you didn’t get enough sleep, or water or food, or maybe you’re needing a hug. Whatever need it is, you are worthy of getting it.
Don’t forget you already are amazing just the way you are 🌟
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We’ve moved to Chicago!
Like many of you 2020 put a lot of things into perspective and for me that was missing my family and wanting to be closer to them. Moving back to the Midwest means I’m a car ride away from family and to all the delicious homemade Lebanese meals I can get! It means following my heart and what I need for myself right now. This move comes with a lot of feelings of excitement, fear, gratitude, happiness, fulfillment, and nerves.

I am so incredibly thankful for the people I’ve gotten to meet and the chapter that Texas has allowed me to write. I will remain licensed in Texas and will continue seeing current and new clients virtually. I am excited to reconnect with my community here in Chicago and reach more people in need both virtually and in person.
I don’t believe in good byes, it’s I’ll see you later!

As an iaedp member for the last several years it dismays me that Ramadan, a major religious month, in one of the three monotheistic religions, is not commemorated.

I’ve received countless of celebratory holiday emails wishing me a Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah. As an international organization that recognizes eating disorder professionals of different religions, races, and creeds and in so many countries, I would anticipate that iaedp would also be recognizing Ramadan. My hope is that the future of iaedp will put in extra effort to recognize Ramadan while subtly raising awareness for others of the significance of the various religious traditions.

Your eating disorder will always tell you aren’t enough... sick enough, thin enough, worthy enough, Muslim, Jewish, Christian enough. Diet culture is often lurking waiting for the next vulnerable moment so it can tell you to take up less space, to shrink yourself, and stand in the beauty trap line of conformity. Mental health stigma will tell you in order to “prove” that you have an eating disorder you have to show for it through behaviors, because no one sees the mental and physical exhaustion eating disorders create.
I’m sorry your eating disorder has lied to you. I’m sorry it’s taken so many moments away. I see you and you are so worthy of support, and love, and nourishment. And you don’t have to prove a damn thing!
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And you definitely don’t have to prove that you got on your kitchen counter without using a step stool 😉

Repost 🙂

Society teaches us that dieting equals “healthy,” but I am here to tell you that it does NOT. Allow yourself to make peace and acknowledge – allowing myself to eat is healthy, nourishing my body with food is valuing my health. When the urges to restrict, or binge, or purge, or over exercise come up, take a moment of pause. Ask yourself, “when I use behaviors, which of my needs aren’t being met?” Start with curiosity rather than shame. I see you 💜 You can do hard things!

Society teaches us that dieting equals “healthy,” but I am here to tell you that it does NOT. Allow yourself to make peace and acknowledge – allowing myself to eat is healthy, nourishing my body with food is valuing my health. When the urges to restrict, or binge, or purge, or over exercise come up, take a moment of pause. Ask yourself, “when I use behaviors, which of my needs aren’t being met?” Start with curiosity rather than shame. I see you 💜 You can do hard things!

This could possibly be a prom photo but alas... Happy New Year!! 🎊🎈🎉 gave me a great idea to decorate even though it was just the two of us and I’m glad I did (thank you)!
Man oh man 2020 has been something else?!?It’s been nothing short of crazy and hard and overwhelming and scary and grateful all rolled into one. It’s put a lot of things into perspective and for that I am grateful to what this past year has taught me.
When I got Debo in February I never would have thought that we would be quarantining together for what feels like forever. He’s been the greatest companion this past year 🐶💛 and feel pretty lucky to have him!
Last night I journaled and what I thought would just be a couple pages turned out to be a mini series of thoughts, memories, and a whole lot of new manifestations. I’m eager to see what’s ahead but also trying to stay present and connected.
I’m hoping this year is kinder to us all, that it brings light to the darkness, and spreads more joy than hate. Just because it’s the new year you don’t have to change anything about yourself and no diet is worthy of your time or energy. You are enough as you are!

Weekend Mantra! To all the ED warriors out there fighting everyday to find their voices I see you! Thank you for being here and thank you for being courageous! I hope that YOU get to find your voice and I hope you never let it be silent again!!!

❤️ 💜 💚 💙 🧡 💛

Self ❤️ is making sure YOU are a priority by nourishing yourself and taking care of your mental and physical health.

Check out my weekly meal and grocery shopping planners 🍇🥚🥦🧇🍝🍪
Having some added structure around meals and snacks for the week can be so helpful in decreasing that anxiety around food. These planners can help in navigating your week food wise, holding you accountable, and saving you money at the grocery store.

Link in the bio for free downloads!!

No my love (habibiti) your weight does not determine your worth or your beauty or if you “deserve” to eat today or not. I’m so sorry society is constantly asking you to shrink yourself. You are allowed to take up as much space as you need! You are imperfectly perfect and I’m so glad that you are here 💗

Malak Saddy RD, LD/N, CEDS S updated their business hours.

Malak Saddy RD, LD/N, CEDS S updated their business hours.

🗣 Join me tomorrow at 4pm EDT (3 pm CDT) for a FREE webinar on Smashing Diet Culture with Intuitive Eating! Thank you for hosting me and for being a leading body positive example in the fitness industry! Register here: https://clarityfitness.com/events/

I support and will not be posting my own content from June 1-7 and will be sharing stories of Black and Brown activists, creators, and providers amplifying their voices.
I’m committed to the ongoing anti racism work and I am here to listen, and learn. Thank you .msrd and for creating and sharing this.

A little dash of self love, a sprinkle of ideas, and a cup of courage, and you’ve got yourself a self care menu! Welcome to Affirmations Cafe here’s today’s menu!

Engaging self care is so important because you are important! Life gets hard and busy, so here’s your little reminder to pause and heal.

Bon Appétit 💛