Research shows there’s a meaningful connection between autoimmune conditions and eating disorders. This relationship appears to go both ways. People with autoimmune conditions may have a higher likelihood of developing eating disorder symptoms. People with eating disorders may also have higher rates of certain autoimmune-related conditions. Researchers suggest this overlap may be linked to shared factors like inflammation, stress, and the gut-brain connection—not a single cause, but a combination of biological and psychological influences (Raevuori et al., 2017; Zerwas et al., 2017).
Large-scale studies have found that autoimmune conditions are associated with a higher likelihood of eating disorder symptoms compared to the general population (Raevuori et al., 2017). Conditions like Celiac disease and Type 1 diabetes show notable overlap with disordered eating behaviors (Raevuori et al., 2017; Svedberg et al., 2025). Thyroid-related autoimmunity has also been linked with increased likelihood of restrictive eating patterns (Zerwas et al., 2017).
This does not mean one directly causes the other, but it does highlight that the body and relationship with food are closely connected.
For some people, managing an autoimmune condition can naturally bring more focus to food (reading labels, avoiding certain ingredients, or noticing how foods affect symptoms).
Over time, this can sometimes increase anxiety around eating, lead to more rigid food rules, or blur the line between symptom management and food restriction. On the flip side, eating disorder recovery can come with physical changes that may overlap with symptoms people associate with autoimmune conditions, such as fatigue or digestive changes, which can feel confusing (Zerwas et al., 2017).
I often tell my clients that we are nuanced human beings with nuanced intentions, and it's not uncommon for food rules to stem from a combination of both. A Venn diagram overlap, so to speak, between the eating disorder-related food restriction or limitation and the co-occurring condition management side of food restriction or limitation. Labeling these food rules or restrictions as solely stemming from the eating disorder would be both inaccurate, as well as invalidating, to the true complexity and challenge of individuals navigating both.
Instead of focusing on strict elimination diets, a more helpful approach is building a relationship with food that supports both physical and mental well-being. Having worked in the field of eating disorders and chronic illness for 10 years, I can say confidently that there is no single elimination or condition-specific nutrition plan that works for everyone with the same diagnosis. Every person is different. This also means that elimination diets often fall short, because individuals tolerate and respond to foods in different ways. That’s why it can be THE game changer in your recovery journey to work with a registered dietitian who specializes in both eating disorders and co-occurring or complex medical conditions.
Whatever the nutrition plan you and your dietitian implement, one things is for sure; supporting consistency with regular meals and snacks can help your body feel more regulated over time. This, in turn, can improve tolerance for a wider variety of foods down the road. Your immune system, digestion, and relationship with food are all connected. This does not mean you have done anything wrong. If anything, this research reinforces something important: support, flexibility, and nourishment matter more than perfection.
This can look like staying curious about your body and noticing patterns in energy, digestion, and hunger without jumping to strict rules. It can also mean keeping meals flexible and satisfying by including foods that support your nutrition needs while also helping you feel well enough to stay consistent with eating throughout the day.
You do not need to get food exactly right to move forward. Progress does not require starting with ample variety. It can begin with the foods you currently tolerate, taking steps to nourish yourself consistently and adequately, and building from there. Staying consistent and compassionate with yourself (and working with a dietitian specialized in eating disorders and chronic illness) goes a long way.
Raevuori, A., Keski-Rahkonen, A., & Hoek, H. W. (2017). Eating disorders, autoimmune, and autoinflammatory disease. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 82, 35–42. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2017.05.017
Svedberg, P., et al. (2025). Bidirectional relationship between eating disorders and autoimmune diseases. Research summary.
Zerwas, S., Larsen, J. T., Petersen, L., Thornton, L. M., Quaranta, M., Koch, S. V., Pisetsky, D. S., Mortensen, P. B., & Bulik, C. M. (2017). Eating disorders, autoimmune, and autoinflammatory diseases. JAMA Psychiatry, 74(10), 1011–1019. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2017.1961