AT BALANCE EATING DISORDER TREATMENT CENTER, OUR GOAL IS TO MEET OUR CLIENTS WHERE THEY ARE.

To this end, we work closely with each client to better understand the spiritual and ethical frameworks that determine their food preferences.  Within the safety of a supportive environment, we then reasonably accommodate those preferences while encouraging clients to gently increase food variety and scope.  While at BALANCE, our clients will be exposed to a number of different foods and cuisines. This is part of our "real world" focus. Insofar as this focus allows, however, we honor our clients’ religious and philosophical backgrounds. Vegan, vegetarian, and kosher eating patterns are accommodated on a case by case basis. 

Is it possible to follow a vegan eating pattern and recover from an eating disorder?

Yes. It’s possible to progress in your recovery and weight restore on a vegan meal plan, but it can also be challenging. It’s important to openly reflect on the reasons for choosing to follow this dietary pattern. If you feel that your vegan or vegetarian diet manifested as part of your eating disorder and is being used as a means to control your weight, reconsideration of your plant-based diet may be beneficial to your recovery. We are happy to work with you to  assess these motivations throughout treatment.

Our treatment plans are customized to meet individual needs, allowing for vegan and vegetarian food choices. Goals of our treatment plans are consistent with all programming at BALANCE:

• Adequate intake at intervals throughout the day so that all biological and psychological needs are met.

• Eat a variety of foods and food groups to support access to macro- and micronutrients

• Include real world food exposures

VEGETARIANISM:

The practice of abstaining from eating meat or fish, for moral, religious, or dietary reasons.

Types include: Ovo(egg)-, lacto(dairy)-, lacto-ovo, & semi-vegetarian, to include pesco(fish)-, pollo(poultry)-, and pesco pollo.

VEGANISM:

The practice of  1). abstaining from the use of all animal products, particularly in the diet (red meat, fish, poultry, dairy, eggs and other animal-origin foods like gelatin, honey etc), and,  2). an associated philosophy that rejects the commodity status of animals. (dietary-, ethical-, environmental vegan).

SOURCES OF ESSENTIAL NUTRIENTS IN A VEGAN EATING PLAN:

• Protein: Tofu, edamame, tempeh, veggie burgers with 5 grams of protein or more, beans and other legumes, nuts, nut butters, and higher-protein whole grains such as quinoa, amaranth, and kamut.

• Iron: Fortified breakfast cereals, soy-based foods, dried prunes, dried apricots, nuts, beans, legumes, and fortified whole wheat bread.

• Calcium, which builds bone, is plentiful in edamame, tofu, almonds, sesame tahini, calcium-fortified orange juice, calcium-fortified non-dairy beverages like soy or almond milk, and dark green leafy vegetables like collard greens, spinach, and bok choy. (Note: bioavailability differences exist in plant vs animal calcium foods)

• Zinc, which boosts the immune system, is ample in soybeans, soy milk, veggie "meats," fortified breakfast cereals, nuts, seeds, mushrooms, lentils, black-eyed peas, split peas, and wheat germ.

• Vitamin B12: Fortified soy-based beverages, fortified breakfast cereals, fortified veggie "meats." 

• Riboflavin: Almonds, fortified cereals, mushrooms, and soy milk.

• Alpha-Linolenic Acid (Omega-3): Canola oil, ground flaxseeds, flaxseed oil, walnuts, walnut oil, soybeans, and tofu.

what is an eating disorder?

Eating disorders are serious but treatable mental and physical illnesses that can affect people of every age, sex, gender, race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic group. National surveys estimate that 20 million women and 10 million men in America will have an eating disorder at some point in their lives.

While no one knows for sure what causes eating disorders, a growing consensus suggests that it is a range of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors. 

Learn More About The Signs and Symptoms of:

ANOREXIA, BULIMIA, BINGE EATING DISORDER, ORTHOREXIA & OSFED.

WHEN IS IT TIME TO SEEK HELP?

If you believe you are struggling with an eating disorder, know you are not alone. Although there is not one specific test or quiz that can provide a yes or no answer, it is important to reflect upon your attitudes and beliefs surrounding weight, body image and food.

Please see our assessment here that may help identify that there are behaviors and attitudes worth seeking help for.