Beyond Nutrition: Enjoying Food in Recovery from Eating Disorders
Few people would argue that food is important to provide nutrients, fullness
and good health. But, looking beyond the physical benefits, there are many
emotional benefits to food and eating. When working with individuals with
eating disorders, the last piece of the puzzle for the dietitian to work on
during recovery is the emotional benefit of eating. As part of the eating
disorder, it is commonplace for the patient to have stopped enjoying
food--whether by binge eating or restricting, food are both the enemy and best
friend, both feared and revered.
People without eating disorders enjoy eating. It's a social time, a relaxed time. A time to enjoy the smell, taste and feel of foods as they are eaten. A time to enjoy conversation and a pleasant atmosphere. Even during the beginning phases of recovery, a person with an eating disorder frequently doesn't enjoy food or the experience of eating.
Simple exercises about enjoying food seem to work best. An assignment to take the time to taste a food, or to sit and talk for a prescribed amount of time during eating can be helpful. When given like an assignment, it is more bearable and manageable. An example would be to ask a patient who has not successfully managed eating lunch in the past to make a lunch date with a friend and perhaps even review the actual menu or the likely menu choices beforehand. On the scheduled day, the patient is able to concentrate on the social aspects of the meal because the food choices have been made ahead of time with the help of the dietitian.
Another helpful exercise is to try eating a dessert and enjoying it. I recommend a patient plan every detail, the day, the time and the setting. I suggest that they plan it for when they are feeling good emotionally and when they are physically hungry. When they eat the dessert, they purchase it at a restaurant where they are most likely to get one normal portion. They need to spend no less than 20 minutes eating the dessert and are encouraged to enjoy the taste of the food. I recommend that they call me or write in their feelings log about the experience afterwards.
These exercises focus on taking time to enjoy delicious foods when the patient is physically hungry. It also emphasizes single portions and that they allow themselves normal amounts of pleasure eating foods rather than having excessive feelings of guilt after eating. By planning the experience and discussing likely outcomes, patients are able to tolerate the newness of the situation and start to feel successful as they manage new and very difficult situations.
The return to enjoyable eating is a wonderful time for a person in recovery. It highlights their achievements in managing their eating disorder and overcoming a major obstacle in relating well with other people around food.
