Nutritional rehabilitation and meal planning are key
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Meal planning is a vital part of anorexia recovery.
The malnutrition that accompaniesanorexia nervosacan negatively impact all systems of the body.
Restoring weight and nutritional health is an essential component of treatment.
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That said, it’s not a quick or easy process.
Restoring a body malnourished by anorexia nervosa may take many months or even years.
Anyone beginning nutritional rehabilitation must be aware of the potentially fatal refeeding syndrome.
Refeeding syndrome involves a sudden shift in fluid and electrolytes that can lead to serious and dangerous complications.
This is especially true for adolescents who are still growing and young adults.
Why are they so high?
This paradoxical symptom makes recovery even harder.
However, it is imperative to allow enough caloric intake for the body to fully recover.
Weight goals should always be calculated by your medical team.
Remember, caloric needs commonly increase as weight is gained.
People recovering from anorexia nervosa often require escalating caloric intake to maintain a steady weight gain.
For this reason, weekly weigh-ins that record progress are desirable.
If and when the rate of weight gain slows or stops, caloric intake must be increased.
Again, calorie levels are always a moving target, depending on the rate of weight gain.
The preferred meal plan model for anorexia nervosa recovery is the exchange system.
It is often used in hospital, residential, and outpatient eating disorder recovery treatment.
This allows for focusing on balanced food group selection during meal planning.
However, a balanced diet may not be as important as increasing caloric intake during weight restoration.
A Registered Dietitian Nutritionist can help calculate and design exchange meal plans considering this all.
How could finally eating after a period of starvation possibly be harmful to the body?
During refeeding, there is a shift from fat to carbohydrate metabolism.
The body then is at risk of not having enough of these vital nutrients in the bloodstream.
An electrocardiogram (EKG) should also be performed.
Strict medical oversight is required.
Teams usually include a medical doctor, registered dietitian nutritionist, psychotherapist, and psychiatrist.
Allowing a loved one to help with accountability and providerecovery supportcan be extremely powerful in recovery.
Other models of treatment that provide family support for adults with anorexia nervosa have been developed as well.
Takeaways
Recovery is not a linear process and may be slow.
Remember that life stresses and major life changes can possiblyactivate relapse.
Support and re-evaluation of progress and goals are constantly needed.
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