What Is An Eating Disorder Meal Plan?
Written by CCTC Staff Writer
You may have heard about eating disorder meal plans but had questions about what it is, how they work and why they are used in treatment.
In this article we will discuss:
What an eating disorder meal plan is
Why eating disorder treatment program and dietitians use meal plans
What the goal is of using a meal plan is
Tips to sticking to your meal plan
What to do if sticking to your meal plan is challenging
What is an eating disorder meal plan?
Addressing nutrition is a big part of the eating disorder recovery process. While therapy and addressing underlying conditions and contributing factors is extremely important, real change is maintained when disordered eating behaviors are addressed at the same time.
An eating disorder meal plan is a structured plan of what one should eat daily for meals and snacks to meet their nutritional needs. This will typically consist of three meals including breakfast, lunch and dinner and two to three snacks in between meals. Meal plans will vary person to person depending on nutritional needs.
Why do eating disorder treatment programs and dietitians use meal plans?
There are many reasons meal plans are utilized in treatment programs and created with dietitians. Here are a few reasons that these are so widely used in the recovery process.
1) Provides structure
When engaging in disorder behaviors such as restricting, binging and purging, learning to eat in a more normalized pattern can be a challenge especially at first. A meal plan creates a structure for when, what and how much one should be eating.
2) Regulates hunger and fullness cues
While the goal for those in eating disorder recovery is to eventually be able to trust their body and nourish themselves in an intuitive manner, regulating hunger and fullness cues is an essential first step. Those recovering from disordered eating will need time to become accustomed to hunger and fullness cues again.
3) Provides permission to eat
Giving yourself permission to eat can be extremely hard when eating disorder thoughts are still very loud and overwhelming. When you are given permission by a treatment team or dietitian to eat according to the meal plan provided, it can help you see that you are allowed to eat the types of foods planned and a certain amount of food.
4) Reintroduces foods that are typically off-limits
When working with a dietitian whether in a treatment program or on an outpatient basis, there will likely be times that foods that were once feared or off-limits are incorporated into your meal plan. This gives you an opportunity to challenge food rules and to let all foods fit into your intake.
5) Helps safely stabilize medically compromised patients
Eating disorder behaviors can lead to medical issues and health conditions. Depending on the severity of behaviors and medical complications, a meal plan is a vital part of stabilization. If someone is at risk of refeeding syndrome, which involves metabolic abnormalities when a malnourished person begins feeding, after a period of starvation or limited intake.
What is the goal of a meal plan in recovery?
Ultimately, a meal plan is used to help someone heal their body, begin to normalize regular eating, and help someone be in touch with their hunger and fullness cues again. Intuitive Eating is a goal for those in recovery as it means letting go of labeling food, the diet mentality and listening to your body. Learning to be able to eat without fear, anxiety and rules and finding food freedom is possible but it all begins with following a meal plan.
Tips for sticking to your meal plan in recovery
First, it would be helpful for you to discuss with your dietitian and treatment team what challenges you are facing in sticking with your meal plan. Is it urges to restrict? Are you still fearful of certain foods? Is it an issue with not having enough time to prepare meals or eat? Each of these can be addressed accordingly with your support. Below are a few general tips that may be helpful for you in sticking to your meal plan.
1) Take time to plan ahead
Take some time to plan your meals and snacks for the week ahead.You can list out the ingredients and items you will need to cook, pack and prep. You can also ask your dietitian if this is something you can do together during your session.
2) Set aside a regular time each week for shopping
If it is difficult for you to find time to go shopping, try to reserve a time in your calendar each week that will be just for food shopping.
3) Order groceries or meals
Everyone has different circumstances when it comes to financial limitations, but if you are able to order your groceries, order takeout or subscribe to a meal delivery service, that can be a great solution to take the stress of planning and prepping while helping you stay on track.
4) Have back-up options available
Having frozen meals or easy meals you can always have ingredients for in your pantry can be a great back up for days that create unexpected time restrictions or you need a quick solution to meet your meal plan.
5) Set alarms for meals & snacks
If you find yourself delaying meals or getting distracted during the day, set alarms on your phone or watch that will remind you when it is meal or snack time. You can set it up to be discreet with an emoji or a reminder for a call with someone if you are worried about others seeing it.
What to do if sticking to your meal plan in recovery is very challenging
Being honest with your treatment team and dietitian is important. If you are finding it challenging to stick to your meal plan, share it with those trying to support you. There is nothing to be ashamed of. They may have suggestions or ideas to better help you combat these urges or get back on track.
If you are in a lower level of care such as meeting on an outpatient basis once a week or are in an outpatient program, your team may suggest a higher level of care if they feel that is necessary. A higher level of care may be suitable to help you decrease disordered eating behaviors, practice eating in a normal pattern and experience food exposures.
If you are ready to seek support, take the first step today and talk to someone about recovery or simply learn more about the holistic eating disorder recovery programs we offer here at Central Coast Treatment Center.