Nutrition Therapy
By Eve Lahijani, MS, RD
Dietician for Krevoy Eating Disorders Program
Nutritional status can be impaired for those suffering from an eating disorder. Erratic meal patterns, restriction, inadequate nutritional intake, recurrent binges, vomiting, etc. wreak havoc on one’s metabolism. In addition, these practices can stress the physiologic system, take a toll on one’s psychological well-being and profoundly compromise one’s relationship to food.
The goal of nutrition therapy is to re-establish a regular meal pattern, improve nutritional intake, expand food choices, dispel nutritional myths and finally relearn how to use the body’s signal to guide when, what and how much to eat. In addition, patients are given tools for meal planning, separating eating and emotions and eating mindfully. Using these tools, patients gradually let go of arbitrary food rules, face their food fears and trust themselves with regard to food. Having experienced this freedom from food issues, patients create a solid foundation to approach other areas of life (i.e. relationships, career, etc.) empowered with such clarity and strength.