The Truth Behind Quasi-Recovery & “Extreme” Hunger with Amalie Lee

In this week’s podcast, Han is joined by Amalie Lee! Amalie is a trained coach with a background in Psychology. Frustrated with the lack of easy-to-understand, science-backed eating disorder information online, Amalie started Let's Recover during her recovery from Anorexia Nervosa over a decade ago. Amalie is especially interested in the biopsychology of eating disorders, reactive hunger, and the cognitive-behavioural effects of undernourishment. In addition to coaching, Amalie hosts the podcast 'Recovery Talk', and writes the Substack newsletter 'Let's Recover'.

This week, we discuss:

  • Our thoughts behind extreme, or reactive, hunger and why this occurs during eating disorder recovery.
  • The change in hunger and energy levels during an eating disorder vs recovery, why this happens and how to navigate it.
  • The secret nature of an eating disorder that makes you feel special, and how to swap this narrative.
  • How to navigate intrusive thoughts from your eating disorder around your weight and food, and how to keep eating through recovery.
  • The difficulty quasi-recovery brings, how to challenge eating disorder beliefs and the importance of recognising where eating disorder behaviours arise.
  • The theory behind cravings and a famine response in anorexia.
  • Amalie's advice when clients experience reactive hunger and how to keep engaged in recovery.

To find out more about Amalie, you can follow them on Instagram @amalielee, visit their website or check out their podcast, Recovery Talk.

Kindly note, that this episode delves into sensitive eating disorder topics. Remember to take care of yourself while listening, and always seek professional help if needed. This podcast is your bridge to insightful discussions, not a substitute for clinical guidance.

Recent Posts

Branded Image with Female Smiling and Title
By Katherine Mc Ivor • October 19, 2026
Veronica shares what it was like supporting two daughters through different eating disorders, how codependency took hold, and what she'd do differently as a carer.
By Hannah Hickinbotham • October 19, 2026
Eating disorder advocate and expert by experience, Tiffany Luxford, shares her anorexia experience to show full eating disorder recovery is possible.
Branded image with male smiling
By Katherine Mc Ivor • October 12, 2026
Researcher Sam Chawner explains what ARFID is, its overlap with autism and ADHD, and what new genetic research reveals about these eating disorder subtypes.
By Hannah Hickinbotham • October 4, 2026
"I live with ARFID... it's part of me, but it isn't the whole me."
By Hannah Hickinbotham • September 27, 2026
Shannon Travers-Spencer on Neurodivergent-Affirming Eating Disorder Care with Shannon
By Hannah Hickinbotham • September 27, 2026
Ella Clarke, eating disorder advocate and expert by experience, shares her story of inpatient treatment, ADHD and anorexia, and how life looks in recovery now.
Show More