Returning to normal eating patterns: Nutritional Therapy and eating disorders.
The primary goal of Nutritional Therapy is to help individuals return to more normal eating patterns. This plays a role in every level of care at The Center for Eating Disorders.
Patients with eating disorders often have ample knowledge about healthy nutrition, but have taken healthy behavior to such an extreme that it has become unhealthy. A critical part of the nutritionist’s role is to educate patients about healthy eating patterns, correct misinformation and challenge distorted nutritional beliefs. The more understanding the patient has about nutrition, the more effectively the patient can challenge fears about food and anxiety about eating.
Nutritional Therapy on the hospital grounds.
Inside the inpatient unit, patients work with nutritionists to begin the process of eating three meals and a snack per day. If the treatment plan includes weight gain, the nutritionist will help the patient accomplish this at a rate that’s medically safe. Patients have the opportunity to meet with a nutritionist every day to challenge their fears and to start developing a full and accurate understanding of nutrition.
At this stage, patients have meals and portions carefully prepared for them. In addition, we serve a therapeutic lunch where patients serve themselves. This is the first step toward preparing patients to continue their healthy eating habits after they leave. Our nutritionists also conduct a group session after the meal to discuss feelings that patients had during the meal.
Making the right choices in and out of The Center for Eating Disorders: the partial hospitalization program.
Patients continue to have breakfast, lunch and dinner on the hospital grounds. However, they are responsible for eating their nighttime snack at home. Patients may also have days off and need to continue their eating pattern outside the hospital for the entire day. For this level of care, the goal of the nutritionist is to assist the patient in taking the meal plan they maintained in the hospital unit and recreating it at home.
Introducing more independence: the intensive outpatient program.
Patients are eating dinner in the program. This meal is different than meals in higher levels of care. Patients in the intensive outpatient program go to the hospital cafeteria to have dinner, and are more responsible for selecting their meals and eating. A nutritionist is available to assist patients with the process. The nutritionist’s focus shifts to assisting patients in developing healthy meal plans for their time outside of the program.
The role of outpatient treatment in nutritional counseling.
This is where the nutritionist assesses an individual’s eating pattern off the unit. The nutritionist and the patient will work together to prepare a goal for the week, which will move the patient one step closer to a healthier eating pattern. Each week, the nutritionist will review progress with the patient and establish new goals for the next week.
Our levels of care and structure—inpatient, partial hospitalization intensive outpatient and outpatient—will vary and adjust according to the needs and progress of each individual.
Take a virtual tour to learn more about nutritional therapy at The Center for Eating Disorders.
