recovering from an eating disorder

I've also been a vegetarian since I was kid, nice to meet someone else who is similar! I have never had an eating disorder, but I can imagine what you must be going through. Congrats on choosing the road to recovery. One thing that might help you is smoothies. They can be very healthy and calorie dense simultaneously. I like making a green smoothie with greek yogurt, spinach, banana, pineapple juice, almond milk, and berries. Depending on how much yogurt and banana you use, these smoothies can be between 300-400 calories. Hope that helps!

I really like homemade peanut butter and apple slices, have you tried that?

Do you like hummus? It's got calories and vegetarian protein.

Protein is the most filling macronutrient; so it's going to take time getting used to consuming more protein. One of my favorite protein meals, which can also serve as a snack, is taking plain greek-style yogurt and mixing in a tablespoon or so of strawberry/raspberry jelly or even sugar-free Jello cheesecake pudding mix (the latter tastes just like cheesecake filling but with higher protein). For additional calories and texture, I add a little granola as well.

As you mentioned, you don't know what an average meal is and you cannot rely on presently unreliable hunger cues to alert that you've eaten enough. Thus, you may want to keep a journal and ensure you aim for a certain amount of meals per day - and eventually macronutrients and calories - because there is a chance those hunger cues may never return to normal function.

How long has it been since you've consciously made an effort in increasing calories? What's your average caloric intake as of now and how long have you been maintaining eating this particular amount?

As a general disclaimer, I think it's always advisable to seek medical intervention of some kind prior to increasing calories as opposed to trying to recover on your own.

I don't know where you are in regards to the questions above, and if you are at risk of refeeding syndrome, but recent research reviews have noted key findings within continuous refeeding programs: from early on and throughout refeeding, it's suggested that persons ensure an overall balance of macronutrient intake and carbohydrates generally make up less than 40% of your total calories to reduce risks of refeeding syndrome. Thus, you may want to be mindful of carb intake.

Finally, I applaud you for making such great progress on your own; but if you can find health professionals that can actually be of help, it may greatly increase your chances of recovery.

These boards have been really helpful for me. I've struggled with an eating disorder for years starting out with restrictive eating during high school which progressed to severe restrictive eating freshman/sophomore year of college. I would have days where I would only 'eat' crystal lite shakes (crystal lite blended with water/ice) and carry hard candies in my purse to prevent me from passing out due to low blood sugars.

I'm 5 ft 6 inches and went from 150 pounds to 135 which was desired but now my weight is down to 128#. I exercise 5-7 days per week for long periods frequently focusing on extra calorie burning. The only reason my disorder was in check was because I was living at home with my parents and would have to eat. Now that I moved out of the house and have more freedom I find that I'm back up to spending 2hours at the gym and not eating enough.

Whenever my freidns and family see me they joke that I don't eat enough and that I need to 'have a hamburger'. I recently saw my doctor because I've been amenorrheic since February and he had my estrogen levels done which came back really really low because of my excessive exercise, low caloric intake and low body fat percentage.

I know it's getting out of control because tonight I went out to dinner with friends and had a big bowl of ice cream to try to eat something. I immediately came back home and purged for the first time in 3 years. I feel out of control. So sad.

Did I mention what I do for a living? I'm a registered dietitian. I can't escape food ever. Ironic?

Congratulations on choosing the road to recovery, it's not easy, and there will probably be setbacks, but it's all worth it in the end

A great way to add calories without volume is through omelettes and quiches, pasta and cheese dishes, and making sure that the food you do buy is whole, instead of light/ skim.
Also, have you thought of adding a protein powder into your diet? One of the ones that has carbs in it also that you could add into a milkshake with some fruit, milk, icecream etc?
I really do recommend being under the care of a professional treating team, but if that isn't an option atleast surround yourself with people you trust and who will support you on your way to recovery.
Wishing you all the strength and courage in the world, xoxo

I also am close to my mom and she pushed me to get professional help. I didnt menstruate for over a year. Apparently when ur hormone levels get this low, u are at risk for thinning bones! Scary. I have been working on healing my own disorder due to how expensive the therapy was getting.

Here could be a good snack recipe for you

1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats

1/4 cup ground flaxseed

1/4 cup sliced almonds, chopped

2 tablespoons chia seeds

1/8 teaspoon cinnamon

a pinch of salt

1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter, melted and slightly cooled

1/4 cup + 1 tablespoon honey

1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 tablespoons mini chocolate chips

1/4 cup ground peanuts or ground almonds, to roll the balls in


Directions:


Combine oats, almonds, flaxseed, chia seeds, salt and cinnamon in a large bowl and stir.

Melt peanut butter and allow it to cool slightly (I melted mine in the microwave for about 30 seconds, then stirred), then stir in honey and vanilla extract until it's combined. Once peanut butter has cooled a bit, pour it over the oat mixture and mix well with a spoon then bring together with your hands. Once mixture is sticking together, fold in chocolate chips.

Roll dough into golf-ball sized (or slightly smaller) balls, then roll in ground peanuts or ground almonds. These can be eaten at room temp but we really like them stored in the fridge!


Nutrition Facts
Amount Per Serving
Calories 260 Calories from Fat 160
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 17g 26%
Saturated Fat 3.5g 18%
Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 170mg 7%
Potassium 270mg 8%
Total Carbohydrate 20g 7%
Dietary Fiber 4g 16%
Sugars 9g
Protein 10g
Vitamin A 0%
Vitamin C 0%
Calcium 4%
Iron 10%

Your profile says you are in New York. If that's the case, here are some support groups (many of them free):

http://www.eatingdisorderhope.com/recovery/support-groups/new-york-ny

I think support groups are very useful in recovery for many disorders, but they also give you a free knowledge base. The leader and other members have not only experienced what you've experienced, but many have done so on a limited budget and may have a wealth of resources--non-profits, mentorship programs, etc. The hardest part is going to your first meeting.

On the food side, sneak healthy fats where you can. Add flax meal to oatmeal (or to a smoothie made of greek yogurt, avocado, banana, and coconut water--yum). But don't go this road alone if you can avoid it.

Do you have a close friend whose health (not size) you admire? Could you ask him or her to keep a food log, so you can see what a balanced, healthy diet looks like?

Side note: one of my roommates in college had an eating disorder, which she denied for years, though we all watched her go from binging on two quarts of ice cream and purging to eating nothing but eggplant. It wasn't until about 4 years after school ended that she went to rehab. By that time, she was all bones and her hair was falling out. Today she is a mother of 3, and quite open about her previous struggle. She won her fight, but I know she wishes she had done it earlier, so she had more years loving herself, and fewer wishing herself away. Good for you for acknowledging the problem now and please don't be afraid to ask others for help!

I like to have a sliced apple with peanut butter and cheddar cheese.

hey there!
i am currently being screened for a research program to see if i am eligible, i am diagnosed with anorexia nervosa and have been struggling 11 years with the disease, with bouts and cycles, some quite long, of recovery.

i love to mash chickpeas with some greek yogurt and spices (onion powder, dillweed, sage, black pepper, garlic) and mash avocado in with it. add some celery or shredded carrots. you can top that on a salad, eat it as is or make it in a wrap (maybe a low carb wrap so it doesn't stress you out?) almost similar to a chicken or tuna salad, good to get some protein in there and some healthy fats from avocado and greek yogurt.

sunflower seeds are awesome, i love them on salads, just plain as a snack, or you can blend them in a smoothie.

try cooking with a little extra olive oil as well.

i have a lot of foods that are triggers for me or in my mind not safe, and i am currently working with my therapist on reintroducing fear foods. we are starting off with liquid calories.

i also love avocado just plain as a snack with cumin sprinkled on it. you can make guac as well and have that on a taco salad (can use tofu, meatless grounds, seitans or black beans) with taco seasoning and serve that over lettuce with other taco toppings and the guac.

best of luck to you and feel free to add me if you want a recovery buddy or need support, same for anyone else on this thread as well

Hi I don't have A eating disorder, but I'm a vegetarian as well, and my diary is open so feel free to request me and look at it.

This is a local resource but I think there is information that may be useful to others

http://keltymentalhealth.ca

click on resources

check out refine search

tick the eating disorders box

and perhaps "video or presentation"

I particularly like the second box for those who are doing this without professional help

If you start there your google searches should take you to other useful sites (just make sure they are authoritative)