How to Support A Loved One Struggling With Body Image
Have you ever had a bad body image day (week/month/year) and when you try to explain how down you’re feeling to a partner/loved one, they respond with something that feels incredibly unhelpful… or maybe it feels like their response should be helpful, but you simply can’t accept their words as truth?
If so, send this blog post to them so they have the tools to more adequately support your body image struggles.
How to support a loved one who’s struggling with body image:
Don’t Try to “Fix It” Try
When someone you love is having a bad body image day, your instinct might be to reassure them with words like, “you’re not fat!” or “you look amazing!” And while this comes from a kind place, it can unintentionally reinforce the idea that appearance is what determines worth or confidence.
Instead, try empathy:
“I’m sorry you’re feeling uncomfortable in your body today.”
“That sounds really hard. I’m here for you.”
“Do you want to talk about it, or do you just need a little distraction?”
The goal isn’t to fix how they feel, it’s to let them know they’re safe and seen, even when their self-perception feels shaky.
Avoid Body Talk (Theirs and Yours)
Even casual comments about bodies can feed the comparison cycle that worsens body image struggles.
Try avoiding statements like:
“My stomach looks so bloated today.”
“She looks amazing after losing weight.”
“You’re so tiny! I wish I had your metabolism.”
Instead, steer conversations toward non-appearance-based topics: how someone feels, what they’re proud of, or what they’re looking forward to. You can even model this shift by talking about your own body neutrally:
“I love how strong my legs feel after that walk.”
“I’m still hungry, so I’m going to grab a snack.”
These small shifts remind your loved one that bodies are for living, not for judging.
Compliment the Person, Not the Body
We’re taught to equate compliments with kindness, but when someone is struggling with body image, physical compliments can backfire (yes, even positive ones).
Instead of saying:
“You look so skinny!”
“You’ve lost weight! Good for you!”
Try saying:
“You seem really at peace lately.”
“You’re glowing.”
“I love how passionate you are about [insert topic].”
“I always feel so comfortable around you.”
Focusing on qualities that have nothing to do with appearance helps your loved one anchor their self-worth in something deeper and more stable than body size or shape.
Model Body Respect and Self-Compassion
Whether you realize it or not, how you talk about your body sends a message.
When you speak kindly about your body, eat without guilt, and rest without apologizing, you give others permission to do the same.
Try practicing things like:
Eating meals regularly and without labeling foods as “good” or “bad.”
Choosing clothes that fit comfortably right now, not “goal size” clothes.
Reframing critical thoughts aloud (“I don’t love how my body feels today, but I know it deserves care anyway”).
When you model body respect, you normalize it, and that can be a powerful influence for someone learning how to extend that same grace to themselves.
Encourage Support When Needed
If your loved one’s body image struggles seem constant, intense, or tied to disordered eating behaviors, it may be time to encourage them to seek support from a licensed therapist, counselor, or credible nutrition professional who can confidently navigate body image struggles.
You might say something like:
“I love you, and I think you deserve to feel more peace in your body. Would you be open to talking to someone who can help with that?”
Let them know they don’t have to go through it alone, and that seeking help is a sign of strength.
Focus on Shared Joy
Sometimes, the best way to support someone through body image distress isn’t to talk about it, but gently redirect focus toward connection and joy.
Suggest a walk, cook together, go to a class, or watch a show that makes you both laugh.
Positive shared experiences remind your loved one (and you) that there’s so much more to life (and to them) than how their body looks.
You can’t control how someone else feels about their body, but you can help them feel supported, understood, and loved no matter what kind of body image day they’re having.
At the end of the day, that’s what body image healing really needs most: safety, not solutions.
If you or someone you love is working to rebuild body trust or heal your relationship with food, that’s exactly what we work on inside my 1:1 Nutrition Coaching program. Apply here to learn how to powerfully nourish your body, feel grounded in your skin, and create a relationship with food that feels peaceful and sustainable.
