Nutrition Education in Eating Disorder Recovery
Eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder, are among the deadliest mental health disorders. Treatment for eating disorders requires the support of a multidisciplinary team working together in an integrated program. One of the main components of treatment is nutrition education. Working with a dietitian and incorporating a nutrition education program in treatment is essential for recovery.
by: Enchi Dai
Why is nutrition education important in recovery?
Individuals with disordered eating habits or eating disorders typically pay careful attention to nutrition information in an effort to control every aspect of their diet. Many may not see the need to work with a dietitian or nutritionist. However, what they may not realize is that most “nutrition information” they have learned in life is not entirely accurate because the sources are either illegitimate or obscure. Unlike dietitians and nutritionists who are professionally trained, it is more common for people to believe nutrition information told by their friends or on social media. However, the only reliable source for nutrition information is from trained nutrition professionals and published research articles.
A lot of the nutrition information circulating around the internet has been distorted by diet-centered thinking. For example, many believe that since peanut butter is calorie-dense, it should be completely cut out of one’s diet. In reality, peanut butter is an excellent source of healthy fats and protein. There is so much inaccurate information out there for consumers to misinterpret and skew to fit diet culture’s rhetoric. Consequently, nutrition education becomes necessary in individuals with eating disorders because it helps address research-based nutrition knowledge, correct the misinformation the client might already have, and alter the distorted cognition of the client.
Why is working with a dietitian helpful?
Registered dietitians are health professionals with special training in the areas of diet and nutrition. During the treatment process, they are responsible for monitoring the client's weight, nutritional status, and eating behaviors. One thing to note is that not all registered dietitians are trained to work with clients with eating disorders. Registered dietitians with eating disorder training and certification often work alongside therapists and other specialized eating disorder treatment professionals to help the client restore healthy eating behaviors. They help clients work toward intuitive eating, a self-care eating framework free from fear, guilt, anxiety, obsessional thinking, and compensatory behavior (purging, laxative or diuretic misuse, or over-exercise).
What are the expectations of incorporating a nutrition education program?
The American Psychiatric Association guidelines recommend that nutritional rehabilitation is the first goal in the treatment of all eating disorders, particularly for anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. Unlike psychotherapy, a nutritional education program focuses more on detailed information and processes to achieve healthy eating patterns. Kohen et al. (2009) conducted a study to evaluate the utility (nutritional state and eating patterns) of a nutrition education program for individuals with eating disorders. The results showed a very favorable tendency with respect to the normalization of eating patterns in clients with all kinds of eating disorders. As a result, the research supports that nutritional education programs carried out by qualified professionals should be incorporated into the integrated, multidisciplinary treatment plan, which also includes medical and psychological monitoring.
At BALANCE eating disorder treatment center, we treat the spectrum of eating disorders, including anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, compulsive overeating, and other disordered eating behaviors and body image issues. We offer a variety of virtual programs and services to help our clients not only reduce eating disorder symptoms but also move toward a more harmonious relationship with food and their bodies. Click the button below to browse our full selection of virtual programs & services.
This post was written by BALANCE Blog Intern, Enchi Dai.
Enchi is a Bachelor's-Master's student at New York University, majoring in Psychology. After her recovery from disordered eating, Enchi became passionate about spreading ED awareness, advocating for intuitive eating, and promoting Health at Every Size. Enchi is also an ACE Certified Personal Trainer and Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT 200). Her goal is to help people become healthier both physically and mentally, instead of encouraging them to pursue a certain body image. Along with her internship at BALANCE, Enchi works as a Research Assistant and Crisis Counselor to prepare herself for the future career as a Clinical/Counseling Psychologist.
References
Loria Kohen, V., Gómez Candela, C., Lourenço Nogueira, T., Pérez Torres, A., Castillo Rabaneda, R., Villarino Marin, M., Bermejo López, L., & Zurita, L. (2009). Evaluación de la utilidad de un Programa de Educación Nutricional en Trastornos de la Conducta Alimentaria [Evaluation of the utility of a Nutrition Education Program with Eating Disorders]. Nutricion hospitalaria, 24(5), 558–567.