You are not alone if the prospect of dining out with others feels overwhelming. While some may find enjoyment in dining out, it can pose significant challenges for individuals in eating disorder recovery. By: Sheila Zarfati Restaurants serve as popular social venues and offer convenience for those who prefer not to cook. Navigating restaurants as part of a social scene becomes a crucial aspect of recovery and can even mark a significant milestone for some. The act of eating in the presence of others is a major source of anxiety for those dealing with eating disorders, making dining out a form ..read more

Eating disorder treatment and recovery can look different for every individual, and it is important to remember that recovery is not meant to happen alone. For many, treating an eating disorder requires the efforts of many other professionals on an interdisciplinary team, including general practitioners, therapists, psychiatrists, and dietitians. By: Susanna Montgomery Understanding the role of each of these professionals can make the process much more comprehensive when considering eating disorder treatment.  So, what exactly is the role of a registered dietitian (RD) in eating disorder ..read more

​College is a new stage of life, full of new beginnings. It is a time to discover who you want to be and where you want to end up—a time to make new, lifelong friendships. For many people, this is a time full of change. By: Tori Barkosky Along with the stress of academics, relationships, work, and discovering your path comes the pressure of making new friends and fitting in. And to do so, many students believe it requires a particular body type or shape. Similarly, there is often an unspoken expectation that students should go out with friends at night. “Going out” often involves attending pa ..read more

​​In eating disorder recovery, a common challenge arises when you've restored your weight but are still working on healing your relationship with your body, food, and movement. Continuing the recovery journey through these challenges can be daunting. By: Tori Barkosky A significant hurdle is learning to accept your recovered body and not fixate on your eating disorder body. While this may sound straightforward, for those with eating disorders, it often feels like an unachievable goal. This blog post will explore strategies to support body acceptance, delving into what this process entails. Fa ..read more

Eating disorders affect millions of people worldwide. Organizations are advancing education and awareness about the severity of eating disorders by spreading their message across various social media platforms. As such, doctors, dietitians, nutritionists, and other professionals work to share their knowledge and advice through publications such as books and journal articles. By: Regina Colie Here are some books on eating disorder awareness, the anti-diet movement, practicing intuitive eating, and more. Anti-Diet: Reclaim Your Time, Money, Well-Being, and Happiness Through Intuitive Eating&nbs ..read more

A person’s body image can change throughout a lifetime due to several factors. As adults, we face more complex challenges that affect our body image concerns. It is necessary to acknowledge what our body has supported us through and develop an appreciation for the uniqueness of our bodies. By: Shuchen Hu Why Is Overcoming Body Image Concerns Important In Adulthood? Body image, or feelings or thoughts about one’s body and how we perceive ourselves,  can vary across the developmental pathway. It is a perceptual, cognitive, emotional, and physical experience influenced by external and intern ..read more

​​Recovering from an eating disorder demands a significant investment of time, energy, and mental fortitude. Prioritizing this recovery is vital and should be recognized as such in both academic and professional environments. By: Tori Barkosky  Often, stepping back from responsibilities like school or work is necessary to accelerate healing and rediscover purpose. Post-recovery, individuals can engage more fully and effectively in their educational or professional pursuits. However, it's important to acknowledge the privilege inherent in being able to take time off for eating disorder tr ..read more

Ramadan is a period of religious observation from March 22nd to April 20th, 2023. The Muslim community observes Ramadan as a time for fasting, prayers, and reflection. However, Ramadan can be a triggering time for individuals with an eating disorder. By: Regina Colie Ramadan is a month dedicated to Muslims as part of their religious observance. The belief that Allah delivered the Quran to Muhammad, serving as the scripture source for the Muslim community, forms the basis of his holiday. During Ramadan, Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset, read the Quran, and attend mosques. Also, as part of t ..read more

Pica is a less common eating disorder compared to anorexia and bulimia, but this eating disorder still has negative effects on individuals. Pica occurs when individuals eat items without nutritional value, such as ice. Although they may consume harmless items, the disorder can progress and take a dangerous turn, but treatment is available. By: Regina Colie What Is Pica? Pica is known as an eating disorder, where instead of eating foods, individuals consume things that carry no nutritional value, such as ice and other dangerous items, such as soap, dirt, paint, glue, and metal. Pica comes from ..read more

Eating disorders impact a person’s relationship with food and their body. Eating disorders can affect anyone regardless of body size, gender, age, and culture. Therefore, it is important to know the symptoms of various eating disorders so they can be detected early and treated with proper intervention. By: Julianna Frank Below are four common eating disorders and symptoms of these eating disorders. There are more eating disorders than listed in this blog post. It is also important to note that everyone experiences eating disorders differently and that not everyone will experience all of these ..read more