If you are seeking help for anorexia, bulimia, binge eating, or another type of eating disorder, meeting with a dietitian can be an important part of your journey. A dietitian nutritionist who specializes in eating disorders can help you develop a healthy relationship with food, create sustainable eating habits, increase food variety, practice balanced eating, and help pinpoint root causes of digestive health concerns. Here's what you can expect during your first visit with an eating disorder nutritionist.
Initial Visit: We will obtain a comprehensive assessment of your current eating habits, any existing medical conditions, and your overall health history. We will ask you questions about your eating disorder history, including any previous treatment or hospitalizations. We will look into the details of your current food intake, exercise habits, and any associated physical symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, or gastrointestinal distress. This initial evaluation will help us understand your unique needs and develop a personalized treatment plan for you. We will help you to establish a supportive team who will likely include a therapist, primary care doctor, and psychiatrist.
Goal-Setting: The initial evaluation helps us work with you to set achievable goals that align with your long-term recovery plan. These goals may include establishing a meal plan or working on intuitive eating to achieve consistent eating patterns, improving your relationship with food and your body, creating steps to decrease behaviors, or learning how to manage any physical complications related to your eating disorder. We will help you create a realistic plan to achieve these goals, which may include meal planning, food journaling, and monitoring your progress over time.
Follow Up Appointments: We will provide you with education and counseling about normalized eating patterns and portions for your body. We will teach you how to eat mindfully and offer guidance on how to deal with negative thoughts related to food and body image. We may also discuss any recommended supplements or other medical interventions that may be necessary to support your recovery. We will continue to monitor your progress and adjust your treatment plan as needed. We will monitor your weight weekly, if this is part of your nutrition plan. These appointments usually occur weekly until you feel like you have a good understanding and are reaching your goals. We will continue to provide education and counseling, offer support, and help you stay motivated and focused on your recovery goals.
Meeting with an eating disorder dietitian nutritionist can be an important step in your recovery journey. We love seeing clients learn to have a healthy relationship with food and their body and break free from their eating disorder.