More Than a Meal: How Meal Support Can Help in Eating Disorder Recovery
by Marla Olmstead, MS, RDN, LDN
Navigating recovery from disordered eating is challenging, and it can often feel isolating and overwhelming. Various forms of support exist to support those struggling with recovery, including dietitians, therapists, physicians, treatment programs, and support groups. One form of support is meal support groups, which provide structure, guidance, and support before, during, and after a meal. These groups offer an opportunity to practice eating alongside peers and an eating disorder-informed facilitator, such as a Registered Dietitian.
What Is Meal Support?
Meal support groups provide a set time for meals and a supportive space to work through challenges that may arise around food and eating. Whether you are working toward eating more consistently, challenging food rules, trying a fear food, or just looking for more support around meals, meal support can provide a space to practice these skills with others.
At Nourish for Life, our meal support groups are 50-minute virtual sessions that include time to check in before and after the meal. Before eating, we will discuss how you are feeling, both physically and emotionally, identify challenges you may anticipate, and set an intention for the meal. Afterward, we will reflect on the experience and discuss a future plan or goals you may have as you continue working toward recovery.
How Can Meal Support Help Me?
Meal support can be a valuable addition to eating disorder recovery by providing structure, connection, and a space to practice skills around eating in real time. Some ways in which a meal support group can be beneficial include:
Establishing consistent eating patterns and providing accountability:
Meal support groups provide dedicated times for eating and an opportunity to practice pacing around eating. This can support the development of physical and mental cues for consistent eating, so that you can build trust in your body.
Experiencing emotions and building distress tolerance:
Eating can bring up many emotions, including anxiety, guilt, fear, and discomfort. Meal support groups provide a space to notice and work through these emotions without relying on eating disorder behaviors. With support from the facilitator and peers, you can practice coping strategies in the moment to gradually become more comfortable around food.
Building awareness of eating disorder thoughts and behaviors:
Meal support can help you notice eating disorder thoughts, urges, and behaviors as they arise. Recognizing where these thoughts and behaviors come up is the first step, and creates an opportunity to explore what may be contributing to them and identify alternative ways of responding.
Working toward recovery goals in a supportive environment:
Recovery involves challenges that can be tough to face alone. Meal support offers an opportunity to identify goals, talk through barriers, and receive encouragement as you practice new skills. The space can also offer an opportunity to reflect on successes and recognize the progress you have made in your recovery journey.
Fostering connection and community:
Meal support groups provide an opportunity to connect with peers who may be facing similar challenges. Participants can share experiences, coping strategies, challenges, and successes while being supported by an eating disorder-informed facilitator. No one should feel alone in their recovery and with meal support, you don’t have to be.
You Don’t Have to Navigate Eating Alone.
Recovery is hard work, and mealtimes can be some of the most difficult moments in this process. Having support in these moments can make it easier to face challenges that may feel overwhelming. Whether you are working on eating more consistently, challenging food rules, expanding food choices, or simply looking for more support around meals, meal support groups can provide a safe space to develop and practice skills, connect, and progress in your journey to improve your relationship to food.
About the Author
Marla Olmstead, MS, RDN, LDN is a dietitian at Nourish for Life, LLC. She has experience working with eating disorders across the care continuum, and sees our clients individually for nutrition therapy and 1:1 or in a group for meal support. You can learn more about Marla here.