How to Help Someone with an Eating Disorder

Chances are you know someone with an eating disorder. And chances are you don’t know how to help them. This article on helping someone with an eating disorder is a great resource. Here are the take-home points:

 Communicate your concerns. Share your memories of specific times when you felt concerned about the person’s eating or exercise behaviors. Explain that you think these things may indicate that there could be a problem that needs professional attention.
 Avoid conflicts or a battle of the wills. If the person refuses to acknowledge that there is a problem, or any reason for you to be concerned, restate your feelings and the reasons for them and leave yourself open and available as a supportive listener.
 Avoid placing shame, blame, or guilt on the person regarding their actions or attitudes. Do not use accusatory “you” statements like, “You just need to eat.” Or, “You are acting irresponsibly.” Instead, use “I” statements. For example: “I’m concerned about you because you refuse to eat breakfast or lunch.” Or, “It makes me afraid to hear you vomiting.”
 Avoid giving simple solutions. For example, "If you'd just stop, then everything would be fine!"

Source: Adapted from National Eating Disorders Association

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The Role of the RD: Outpatient Eating Disorder Treatment

Eating disorders are psychological issues, so you may be wondering why having a dietitian as part of a treatment team is even necessary. In fact, if food is an issue for you, the idea may seem downright frightening! Here are a few ways a dietitian can be immensely helpful in treating eating disorders:

• Reduce food and body fears by reframing distorted beliefs that the eating disorder has created. This includes a better understanding of physiology, digestion, and metabolism.
• Teach and model what and how much nutrition is appropriate
• Provide a safe place for talk about food and body fears
• Create opportunities to practice eating foods that feel scary
• Teach the difference between emotional and physical hunger
• Establish and teach “normal” eating- eating that is based on physical cuing and free from guilt, anxiety, shame, and compensatory or obsessive responses

Below are two excellent links to articles on this very topic:
1. Eating Disorders: Nutrition Education And Therapy
2. Nutrition Intervention in the Treatment of Eating Disorders


**Don't forget about the eating disorders Twitter Chat tonight at 8:30 EST, hashtag #endED!

Marci E Anderson
Nutrition Therapist & Eating Disorder Expert in Cambridge, MA
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Establishing an Outpatient Eating Disorders Treatment Team

When struggling with an eating disorder, one of the hardest things to do is establish an outpatient team. An outpatient team typically consists of a therapist, physician, dietitian (sometimes referred to as nutritionist or nutrition therapist), and psychiatrist.

If you live in Massachusetts, MEDA is the best resource for those struggling with an eating disorder (either yourself, a friend, a family member). MEDA stands for the Multi-Service Eating Disorder Association. And their mission is to prevent the continuing spread of eating disorders through educational awareness and early detection. MEDA’s expert staff provides education sessions, support groups, and assists individuals find outpatient treatment they need. MEDA serves as a support network and resource for clients, loved ones, clinicians, educators and the general public.

I hope you can join us for our Twitter chat Wednesday, February 23rd at 8:30 EST, hashtag #endED.
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Reclaim Your Right

Hey Friends

Check out my guest blog spot: Reclaim Your Right at The Nurture Principles.

What do you think, any of you willing to put yourself first?

Marci RD in Cambridge
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3 Truths about Eating Disorders

There are loads of myths about eating disorders. Below are three myth-busting truths about eating disorders. Wear purple for National Eating Disorders Awareness Week!

1. Eating disorders are serious illnesses, not lifestyle choices
Eating disorders are complex conditions that arise from a combination of long-standing
behavioral, emotional, psychological, interpersonal, biological and social factors. As our
natural body size and shape is largely determined by genetics, fighting our natural size and
shape can lead to unhealthy dieting practices, poor body image and decreased self-esteem.
While eating disorders may begin with preoccupations with food and weight, they are about
much more than food. Recent research has shown that genetic factors create vulnerabilities that place individuals at risk for acting on cultural pressures and messages and triggering behaviors
such as dieting or obsessive exercise.

In the United States, as many as 10 million females and 1 million males are fighting a life and
death battle with an eating disorder such as anorexia or bulimia. Approximately 15 million
more are struggling with binge eating disorder.

2. Education, early intervention, and access to care are critical
There has been a rise in incidence of anorexia in young women 15-19 years old in each decade
since 1930; over one person’s lifetime, at least 50,000 individuals will die as a direct result of
an eating disorder. In the United States, we are inundated with messages telling us that thinner
is better, and when we “fit” our culture’s impossible beauty standards, we will be happy. Did
you know that 80% of all ten year olds are afraid of being fat? As a culture, it is time for all
communities to talk about eating disorders, address their contributing factors, advocate for
access to treatment and take action for early intervention. You can make a difference: do just
one thing to initiate awareness, education and discussion about eating disorders in you
community. If we all do something, we’ll have a tremendous impact!

3. Help is available, and recovery is possible
While eating disorders are serious, potentially life-threatening illnesses, there is help available
and recovery really is possible. It is important for those affected to remember that they are not
alone in their struggle; others have recovered and are now living healthy fulfilling lives. Let the
National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) be a part of your network of support. NEDA
has information and resources available via our website and helpline:

NEDA www.nationaleatingdisorders.org NEDA Helpline: 800 931-2237
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National Eating Disorder Awareness Week

Passion is defined as “any powerful or compelling emotion or feeling.” I am passionate about preventing, treating, and creating awareness about eating disorders. February 20^th-26^th is National Eating Disorders Awareness Week (NEDAW). It’s one week out of the year that I commit to raising awareness about the very serious reality of this debilitating disease. Eating disorders have been minimized and glamorized in the media. So this year, The National Eating Disorders Association theme for year’s NEDAW’s week is “It’s Time to Talk About It.”

“We live in a culture saturated with unrealistic body-image messages and almost all of us know somebody struggling with an eating disorder. Because this is true, we urge you to talk about it......and do just one thing during NEDAwareness Week to: 
1) raise awareness that eating disorders are serious illnesses, not lifestyle choices;
2) provide accurate information to medical, educational and/or business communities, and
3) direct people to information and resources about eating disorders.

This week I will be utilizing my blog, Facebook page, and Twitter to do my part. On Wednesday, February 23^rd I will be hosting a Twitter chat for National Eating Disorders Awareness Week.  Please join me at 8:30 EST, using the hashtag #endED.

During the Twitter Chat we'll be discussing six questions. I'm posting them so you have some time to think about them before the chat.

Q1 How big of a problem are eating disorders today?
Q2 what is the role of body image in eating disorders and how can we improve it
Q3 what treatment options are available?
Q4 how do you help someone you suspect has an eating disorder?
Q5 what does recovery look like?
Q6 what is one thing each of us can do to create awareness about eating disorders?

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Quinoa Chili Buns

This recipe was sent to me a from a reader and friend. If you have any recipes that you think deserve a little press, SEND THEM MY WAY!

This chili recipe is excellent in a bowl or served as a sandwich. The chili thickens over time, so it makes a great consistency for a "sloppy joe" kind of sandwich (which is how I prefer to have it). It's even better when served with sliced avocado.


Quinoa Chili

2 cans kidney beans, rinsed & drained (or whatever beans you like)
2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
2 teaspoon salt
1 green pepper, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon cayenne
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
2/3 cup quinoa, rinsed in warm water
1 cup frozen corn
1 can tomato sauce (about 2 cups)
1 cup water

Heat oil in skillet over medium heat. Add onions, and sauté until tender. Add salt, garlic, pepper and spices; sauté for 5-10 minutes. Add rinsed quinoa and stir in. Add corn, tomato sauce, and water to onion/quinoa mixture. Simmer together 20 minutes. Add beans to the pot and simmer another 15 minutes. Serve with sliced avocados, cheese, and sandwich buns.
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Happy Valentine's Day

Love it or hate it, today is Valentine's Day. Old, young, single, in a relationship- the advice I'm going to offer applies to YOU! So please forgive me while I step on my soap box (it only happens once in a while!). Here are two small things to consider. Believe me, they are for your own good. 

Give Yourself Some Lovin'
At the end of the day, you are stuck with you. So why not value and appreciate what you love about being in your own skin? Our culture teaches us that it's more acceptable to self-criticize, which is sad. Why don't you take a moment and give yourself a compliment (out loud if you're brave, silently if you are feeling self-concious.) Or at the very least, "If you can't say something nice, don't say nothin' at all."


Savor Your Food Experiences
Rather than walking around feeling guilty about the Valentine's Day chocolate you might be eating today, enjoy it! I truly believe that eating ought to be a positive experience. And I also believe that food is truly enjoyed when you slow down and savor it. So before munching mindlessly, try these three quick steps: smell it, chew slowly, catch the flavor, and then swallow. You may be surprised by what you find.


Happy Valentine's Day. I hope it's a sweet one.
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Guest Post: Food as Connection

Today we have the pleasure from hearing from guest blogger Ashley Solomon, PsyD. Ashley is a therapist who specializes in the treatment of eating disorders, body image, trauma, and serious mental illness. Please check out her fabulous blog Nourishing the Soul. Nourishing the Soul is a look at how our relationship with food can become distorted when our minds, bodies, and souls are not properly nourished. This blog provides a forum for discussion of these distortions, as well as offers news and views on the latest in the field of disordered eating, recovery, and healthy living. You can also follow her on Twitter @nourishthesoul. Enjoy the post!

Food as Connection: Guidelines for shared meals
Stacey hadn’t eaten a meal with other people in almost three years. The thought of having someone else bear witness to her eating patterns and food rituals was overwhelming and terrifying to her, which made eating with twelve other women in her treatment program all the more painful. While she was consumed with anxiety at the first meal, each one became easier. And what Stacey discovered was that there was something incredibly intimate about sharing food with someone else. Something she hadn’t let herself experience – and had missed – for far too long.

While Stacey’s story may seem extreme, many among us can identify with anxiety around sharing meals. Perhaps we are worry that we eat too much, that our food choices are not healthy enough – or are too healthy, or simply that we hate having to talk while eating. In my work as a therapist who works with eating disorders, fears around shared meals come up often.

Eating with others is inherently connecting. I’m sure, if we tried, we could explain this phenomenon from an evolutionary standpoint – something about cave-people joining together in pursuit of the day’s sustenance or whatnot. But the fact is, sharing meals is an integral part of human relatedness. We “break bread” as a sign of intimacy, of respect, of love.

For people who struggle with eating issues, meals that are shared might need some guidelines to feel safe and at ease. Consider the following suggestions for making meals with friends and family more comfortable for everyone:

Choose a Comfortable Setting – If you’re feeling anxious about a shared meal, consider how to make the environment most comfortable. Do you prefer to go to a restaurant or invite others to your home? Do you want something more formal with courses or for everyone to dig into to shared appetizers? If you’re going out, what kind of setting makes it easiest to talk and converse?

Share the Love – Encourage everyone to contribute to the meal so that it feels like a joint effort. Don’t take on all of the cooking responsibilities yourself, nor let someone else. Sharing in the creation of the meal is part of the bonding experience and can help everyone feel a sense of ownership.

Avoid Food or Fat Talk – While at the table, stay away from talking about the food. This can be challenging, as you might see if you try it. It’s amazing how much of our mealtime conversation often centers around food. But think of how much richer the discussion can be if we explore topics other than the spiciness of the enchilada. Also avoid talking about the nutritional aspects of the food or about weight. It’s hard to enjoy a meal when your friend is telling you how what she’s eating (the same as you!) is going straight to her thighs.

Say No - It's important to use your voice when your heart or stomach - is telling you so. Remember that you can politely say, "No, thank you," to more macaroni if you're too full - Aunt Sally will just have to get over it. You should also speak up if the conversation is making you uncomfortable.

Developing comfort in sharing meals can not only help to reduce disordered eating, but can add so much meaning to our lives. Bon Appetite!
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Product Show Case: Trader Joe's Frozen Oatmeal

Each month I love to showcase a favorite food or culinary product I think is fabulous. I was recently introduced to Trader Joe's frozen steel-cut oatmeal. It comes in packs of two. All you do is drop in a bowl and microwave for a few minutes.  And you have a beautiful bowl of warm oatmeal.  It is totally divine! It's a life savor if you love steel-cut oatmeal but don't have time for the stove top version.  And wouldn't you know it, the 2nd Monday of February is National Oatmeal Day.  So on February 14th, you can celebrate by starting your day with a bowl of oatmeal. :)

Oatmeal is a super stellar whole grain with plenty of soluble fiber that has benefits for heart health.  Here's an article on how to get more nutritional bang for your buck when it comes to oatmeal.  And wouldn't you know it, the timing is perfect since February is American Heart Month. 

Here are some fun ways to enjoy your oatmeal:

• Creamy Apple: add raisins, chopped apples, dash of cinnamon
• Trail Mix: sprinkle in almonds, craisins, and chocolate chips
• Banana Split: bananas and dried cherries
• French Toast: 1 packet instant oatmeal, mixed with one egg white, fry up in a non-stick skillet
• PB & J: 1 T peanut butter, handful of your favorite dried fruit

Do you have a favorite way to enjoy your oatmeal?  Please share!

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