Recovering from an eating disorder is a process. It’s not something that can be fixed overnight. In fact, most people who experience the effects of an eating disorder for a prolonged period of time will require ongoing treatment and support to ensure they do not relapse. Eating disorders are often seen as vanity problems. However, in reality, they are much more than just about a fear of fat or food. They are mental illnesses that cause serious physiological side effects. Eating disorders affect around one in every 200 people at some point in their life, and if left untreated can have devastating consequences. To get back to a healthy place after suffering from the effects of an eating disorder takes time, patience and persistence. Recovery can be difficult and challenging; however it is also rewarding and life-changing. Use these 5 nutrition tips for someone recovering from an eating disorder to help you on your journey.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with food.
One of the hardest parts of recovering from an eating disorder is trying to work out what normal eating habits actually are. What does a ‘normal’ portion size look like? How often should you eat? What sort of foods should you be eating? During the initial stages of your recovery, it’s important not to be too rigid or fixed about the way you eat. It’s likely that your body and nutritional requirements have changed significantly from what they were when you were at your lowest. When you were in the grip of an eating disorder, you were in a mentally and physically unhealthy state. This meant that your body was functioning at a sub-par level and couldn’t make the best and most accurate nutritional calculations. This can make it harder to work out what is a ‘normal’ amount of food to eat.
Take care of your body, but don’t obsess over exercise.
Exercise is an incredibly important part of good health; however, it is crucial not to fall into the trap of obsessing over it. For many people, the obsessive nature of eating disorders feeds into an unhealthy fixation with exercise and fitness. You may have become obsessed with the calories you are burning through exercise, counting them religiously and pushing yourself to do more and more each day. When you are recovering from an eating disorder, it is important not to fall into the same unhealthy trap with exercise. You need to be mindful of your body and how it responds to exercise so that you don’t injure yourself. You also need to be careful not to push yourself too far and spark a relapse. It’s also important to note that exercise is not a magical fix-all that will instantly repair your mental state and somehow make you eat ‘properly’ again. It is a wonderful addition to a healthy lifestyle, but it is not a substitute for therapy.
Don’t pressure yourself to eat more than you want.
Eating disorders are serious mental illnesses that affect the way you think and feel about food. Your eating disorder is a false voice that is telling you that you are not good enough and that you are in some way inadequate. When you are in the grips of an eating disorder, you are often in a heightened state of anxiety, fear or self-loathing. This can make it incredibly difficult to think rationally about food and to trust your instincts about when you are full or hungry. The eating disorder might make you believe that you need to eat more when you are not actually hungry, or that you have to eat a certain amount at every mealtime. It may also make you think that you need to eat certain foods at certain times. With the help of a therapist and a nutritionist, you can learn how to trust your instincts and be mindful of your body when it comes to eating.
Maintain a healthy relationship with food.
Your relationship with food needs to change as you recover from an eating disorder. You need to learn to trust your body, understand what it needs and appreciate that it is capable of coping with life stresses. You may need to give your body more time to digest certain foods, which can be frustrating if you are accustomed to eating on a strict schedule. You may also find that your mental state affects how quickly you are able to process food and that you need to eat more often. A therapist can help you navigate the emotional and psychological effects of the eating disorder, while a nutritionist can help you navigate the physiological effects. They can help you understand how the eating disorder has affected your body and provide practical strategies to help you cope with it.
Keep in mind why you want to recover from your eating disorder.
When you are in the grips of an eating disorder, it can be incredibly hard to remember anything about your life outside of food. Your eating disorder has taken control and become the major focus of your life. You have been consumed with thoughts of food, dieting and calories. When you are recovering from an eating disorder, it is important to keep these things in mind. It can be easy to slip back into old habits and forget the reasons that you wanted to recover in the first place. You need to be mindful of the fact that you have a goal and a reason to keep pushing through even if you are feeling like you are failing. You may not feel like you are making any progress, and you may feel like you’ve failed every diet you’ve tried in the past. But you need to keep in mind that every day you are getting one step closer to the person you want to be.
Recovering from an eating disorder is a long and challenging process. It is important to remember that you are not alone in this journey and that there are people out there who can help you. There are countless people who have suffered from the effects of an eating disorder and conquered it. You can do the same thing, but you need to be patient with the process and take care of yourself along the way.
