Keep Your Workouts Fresh
Jan 31, 2012
Nutrition therapy is a critical component in the recovery from an eating disorder. This involves the separation of food and behaviors that are often used to control weight from feelings and emotional issues. Honest understanding of current food intake and emotional associations with certain foods is the first step in working with a dietitian. Often, food records are requested to support this process. Records are used not only to evaluate current eating habits, but also to improve food choices to meet the minimal needs of the body. Communication between the client and dietitian is a first and necessary step in developing a trusting, therapeutic relationship. Honesty and caring communication about eating can develop into a safe environment for recovery from eating disorders.
Identifying a problem:
Do you agree with any of the following statements?
- I think my diet is out of control.
- I feel out of control when I eat.
- I am scared that if I eat normally I will gain weight.
- I am scared that I am fat but no one is telling me.
- I want to lose weight so people will like me more.
- I throw up sometimes after I eat.
- I skip meals a lot.
- I don't eat the foods I used to like because they're fattening.
- I will not miss or am scared to miss a day of exercise.
- I have lost more than 5 pounds this month.
- I no longer have a menstrual cycle.
- I spend my day thinking about where, when, and what I will eat.
- I eat in secret.
- I eat large amounts of food at one time and then feel extremely guilty.
If you agree with any of the above statements, then there are people that can help you.
A dietitian can help you:
- change negative eating habits or disordered eating patterns
- improve general health through nutrition
- follow a medical diet or a diet for a nutrition-related illness
- improve athletic performance, strength, endurance, body composition
- when you suspect someone has an eating disorder but is not ready to admit it.
A mental health professional (psychologist, psychiatrist, or counselor) can help you:
- work through relationship or family problems
- sort out depression, anxiety, and other emotional difficulties
- handle behaviors that are out of control, such as eating, violence, or substance abuse
- manage stress
- deal with a traumatic event
An evaluation with a dietitian or therapist is just one appointment. If you don't feel comfortable with the first dietitian or therapist that you meet with, there are many others.
Web Resources:
Some of the information above adapted from Jessica Setnick, MS, RD, CSSD.