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Disordered Eating & Eating Disorders

Eating disorders affect at least 9% of the population worldwide. In the United States alone, 9% of the population, or 28.8 million Americans, will have an eating disorder during their lifetime. They come in many shapes and sizes, but what they all have in common is how they disrupt your life and damage your relationship with food.

Our disordered eating & eating disorder dietitians at Doherty Nutrition use the counseling principles of Intuitive Eating, Health at Every Size, weight inclusive care, and medical nutrition therapy to guide you on a path to food freedom and body liberation. Whether you’re struggling with body image, relationship with food, or other food-related issues, we’re here to help you in your food journey and to start or continue your eating disorder recovery.

How Can a Dietitian Help in My Eating Disorder Recovery?

What is Anorexia Nervosa?

Anorexia Nervosa is the restricting intake of food in an effort to control weight and shape, where individuals may avoid certain foods, cut portion sizes, and/or skip meals. It is often accompanied by distress around body and weight. Anorexia has a high mortality rate compared to other eating disorders and mental illnesses. It can lead to depression, anxiety, failure to thrive, distorted body image, and suicidal thoughts. 0.9% of women and 0.3% of men suffer from anorexia in their lifetime.

What is the Role of the Dietitian in Anorexia Nervosa Treatment?

Dietitians are an important part of the treatment team for individuals who suffer from anorexia. We educate you on your nutritional needs, debunk false nutrition information, increase satisfaction with your body, and help you work up to eating a sustainable meal plan and maintaining an appropriate weight. Our Registered Dietitians can also provide meal support sessions to support you in following your meal plan.

What is ARFID?

ARFID is when someone does not eat enough due to sensory issues around food, such as taste, texture, color, and/or smell. It may also include a fear of choking or vomiting. ARFID is most common in male children and is often confused with “picky eating,” but can result in failure to thrive or last into adulthood if untreated. 20% of ARFID patients also have autism.

What is the Role of the Dietitian in Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder?

Dietitians use a method called food chaining, where they start with foods you like and gradually transition to foods you want to be able to eat. Our Registered Dietitians can provide meal support sessions to give you guidance in trying new foods.

What is Binge Eating Disorder?

Binge Eating Disorder is characterized by regularly eating past the point of uncomfortable fullness, eating alone or in secret, eating unusually large amounts in a short amount of time, and/or feeling out of control when eating. Binge eating is the most common eating disorder and affects people of all ages, races, genders, and weights. It is three times more common than both anorexia and bulimia combined. 30% of individuals looking for weight loss treatment show signs of binge eating disorder.

What is the Role of the Dietitian in Binge Eating Disorder Treatment?

Dietitians help you identify triggers and teach you how to honor hunger and fullness cues by separating physical from emotional hunger and implementing mindful eating practices. Our Registered Dietitians can provide meal support sessions to reinforce new skills.

What is Bulimia Nervosa?

Bulimia Nervosa is characterized when binge eating episodes are followed by compensatory behaviors, such as excessive exercise, forced vomiting, laxative use, and/or fasting. Compensatory behaviors may also follow a regular meal or occur separately. Purging in any form is a dangerous behavior that can result in malnutrition and organ failure. At any given point in time, 1.0% of women and 0.1% of men meet bulimia diagnosis criteria.

What is the Role of the Dietitian in Bulimia Nervosa Treatment?

Dietitians help you break the restrict, binge, purge cycle by challenging unhealthy behaviors and replacing them with healthy and sustainable habits. Our Registered Dietitians can also provide meal support sessions in helping you follow meal plan and cope with ED behavior urges.

Other Forms of Disordered Eating & Eating Disorders

Compulsive Exercise

An urgent need to exercise to compensate for what was eaten. This is not an eating disorder itself, but it is often accompanied by or a symptom of an eating disorder.

Diabulimia

When a person with insulin-dependent diabetes restricts insulin doses in an effort to control weight and body.

Disordered Eating

Any traits of any eating disorder without having a diagnosis. Most people eat in a disordered way at multiple stages in their lives, including chronic dieting, emotional eating, or fear of certain foods.

Orthorexia

Fixating on and only eating foods deemed “healthy” to a detrimental degree; someone may compulsively check ingredients or nutrition facts labels, increasingly cut out food groups, and/or obsess over the “health” of foods.

Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder (OSFED)

A “catch-all” category that covers any atypical presentation of an eating disorder that would prevent it from being diagnosed as such.

Pica

Characterized by the eating of non-food substances, such as brick, paper, or chalk. It may be the result of nutritional deficiencies or psychotic illness.

Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S)

When an individual’s energy intake is insufficient to support their energy expenditure leading to impaired metabolic rate, bone health, immunity, protein synthesis, and/or cardiovascular health.

Rumination Disorder

The regurgitation of food where food may be repeatedly chewed, swallowed, or spit up.

Our Disordered Eating & Eating Disorder Registered Dietitian Nutritionists

Diana Figueroa, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, RD, LD

Diana Figueroa

RD, LD
Habla Español
Licensed in TX

Associate Clinical Manager

Meredith Link, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, RD, LD

Meredith Link

RD, LD
Licensed in AR & TX

RD II: Advertising & Marketing Specialist

Disordered Eating & Eating Disorder Resources
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Disordered Eating & Eating Disorders Articles

Note: This page is not meant to be a diagnosis tool.

Walk with Your Dietitian

Would you love to get some fresh air, talk to your Dietitian in person, and meet other people going through their own health journeys?!

Join us for our second “Walk with Your Dietitian” event, and feel free to bring your friends, coworkers, or partner!