In our fast-paced modern society where food is plentiful, many people are in the habit of eating on the go. Instead of stocking the kitchen and planning meals. For many people, ordering takeout or picking up fast food on the highway is a matter of convenience. Yet, a more concentrated and organized approach to meals is necessary for someone overcoming an eating disorder. A meal plan after anorexia, for instance, is a key factor to keep the scale on a healthy number.
The process of getting over an eating disorder can be challenging. Treatment of eating disorders is complex and multifaceted. Treatment for eating disorders focuses on the disorder’s psychological and physical components. The reason is, they can have major medical repercussions. This may include psychotherapy, weight restoration, medication nutritional counseling, and medical stabilization.
Meal planning is a key skill for people recovering from eating disorders. Including bulimia, binge eating disorder, anorexia, and other eating disorders. Family members and caregivers also need to learn about meal planning. That way, you can help someone recover from an eating disorder.
Although it’s difficult, there are steps you can take to help you feel better during treatment. Here are some tips to keep in mind as you work toward recovery from an eating disorder.
Table of Contents
Types of therapy
Nutrition therapy:
Involves discussing your diet and food preferences with a qualified nutritionist. In this way, the nutritionist can create a personalized meal plan for you.
Treatment:
You may need treatment for health problems stemming from an eating disorder. This may include medical monitoring, evaluation, and treatment of cardiovascular or gastrointestinal problems.
Psychotherapy:
For eating problems, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is the go-to therapy. CBT can help people to change thought patterns that contribute to their condition. In the end, it will help you develop new coping skills. Family therapy (FBT) is good for adolescents with anorexia and bulimia.
Psychological medications:
Antidepressants can help reduce binge eating and purging in people with bulimia. These medications can also be helpful in treating binge eating disorders.
Hospitalization:
A hospital stay may be necessary for situations where a higher level of care is needed.
Partial hospitalization:
With this method, patients can receive treatment during the day. But they are able to go home at night and on weekends.
How to organize meals for someone recovering from anorexia?
If you’re recovering from an eating disorder, keep meals and snacks no more than three hours apart. A typical recovery treatment plan will include at least 3 meals and 2 snacks daily.
With the help of your treatment team, you should prepare to gradually add to this plan each week. Usually, a weekly increase of 500 calories is appropriate.
During anorexia recovery, hypermetabolism may result in a greater need for daily energy. While you are in the recovery process, choose foods with a higher energy value.
A typical meal for recovering from an eating disorder will include:
a protein, a fat, a grain, and a vegetable or fruit.
What should you consume while recovering?
Following an eating disorder, a balanced diet usually consists of the following:
- Cereals and starches: quinoa, bulgur, millet, polenta, crackers, pretzels, pastries, flatbread, oatmeal.
- Chicken, fish, beef, and pork meats can be used depending on your disease situation
- Tofu, beans, tempeh, and other legumes you can use as meat alternatives.
- Dairy items and milk alternatives: soy milk, buttermilk, yogurt, cheese, and almond milk.
- Vegetables: corn, tomato, carrot, cabbage, broccoli, cucumber, artichoke, green bean, celery.
- Fruits: dates, grapes, oranges, raisins, apricots, bananas, grapefruit, melons, strawberries, pineapples.
- Fats and oils: hummus, butter, avocado, olive oil, salad dressings, and olives.
Individuals consume different amounts of each of these dietary groups.
Meal plan for anorexia recovery
It is necessary to find what you like to eat. Also, it must be very nutritious at the same time. You can start breakfast with cereals, dairy products, or even meat! It all depends on how you feel and what you are ready for. Someone can immediately start eating meat, while someone starts with cereals. You need to gradually increase the amount of food you eat. So, for example, the first week you can eat an egg for breakfast, and the next week you can add another one.
Keep in mind that a diet plan is essential and will help you regain the weight. So you can add to your diet food that has a higher energy value and fat.
Vegetables are ideal as a snack. It is also full of vitamins, so it is not recommended to avoid it. Yogurt is also a good idea as a snack. For a better taste, you can add ground flax. Flax is full of fiber, so it will be both tasty and healthy.
You can eat whatever meat you want. Start with smaller amounts.
Techniques for recovering adults
Understanding the fundamentals of meal planning can help you in your recovery. Regardless of whether you plan and prepare meals for yourself or someone else. The following advice will assist you:
- Make a grocery list. List the ingredients you will need to buy in order to create the meals you have planned. You can combine prepared foods with each dish or add ingredients from the recipe that you will make.
- Think about dining out. Sometimes it can be difficult to balance preparing meals, cooking meals, and working. So it’s okay to eat out once or twice per week. Include a meal at a restaurant in your weekly schedule. It is important because of the routine. Before going to a restaurant, think about what you are going to eat and choose a restaurant that suits you.
- Define your options. To ensure variety, have at least two different breakfast choices available. That way, you can alternate. Also, include a snack. Snacks are necessary between meals. So it would be a good idea to include them in your weekly plan.
You shouldn’t have to worry about what to eat or when to eat it if you have a meal plan. A meal plan helps you make fewer choices and spend less time making them. This is useful to make sure your body is getting the nutrients it needs while you are recovering.
Strategies for meal preparation for parents whose kids fight anorexia
- Make meal plans in advance. Plan your family’s meals for the upcoming week once a week.
- Meal preparation. Schedule at least four to five family dinners each week. You can adjust the preferences of your family members, and control dietary requirements.
- Prepare lunch for your child. Every day of the week, try to plan at least five lunches for your child.
- Have options. Consider having two meals that you can rotate when preparing your breakfast.
- Think about weight goals. If your child needs to put on weight, he might need to consume a lot of calories. You should buy extra groceries or some type of food that is high in calories and nutrients when you go shopping.
It is best to speak with your kid’s eating disorder team if you are a parent of a child in recovery. Also, it can be beneficial to involve your child in some of the meal planning and preparation. It could contribute to their rehabilitation.
Final thoughts
A complex mental ailment, an eating disorder calls for medical attention. Before changing your treatment plan, always check with your doctors. There is no universal menu and solution. Each person is different, and therefore recovery is different. It is important to follow your body and your pace.
You might need to try a few different approaches before you find the one that works best for you. An eating disorder recovery is a long road. Make sure to have patience, support, and appropriate care.