World Food Day

Every year on October 16, over 150 nations gather to observe World Food Day, commemorating the founding date of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and its efforts to raise awareness of the issues surrounding poverty and hunger. Millions of people around the world do not have access to or cannot afford a nourishing diet, and rising global challenges continue to affect the availability of nutritious foods. And, as you know, food and nutrition are key issues for our clients suffering with eating disorders.

Amanda Mellowspring, MS, RD/N, CEDRD-S 

Vice President of Nutrition Services,

Monte Nido & Affiliates

The Importance of Nutritious Food 

Bodies are designed to consume and assimilate a variety of nutrients that act as “fuel” for people’s daily lives. Food can undoubtedly play a powerful role in the life of every person, affecting both their mental and physical health. When clients come to an eating disorder treatment center, the goal is to help them achieve the mindset that “food is both fuel and fun,” because all bodies deserve to be nourished and satisfied. Similarly, every individual deserves to have a chance at a healthy relationship with food.

Nutrition and EDs

When a person is living with an eating disorder, decisions around how to interact with food safely and appropriately are dominated by unhealthy, dangerous and life-limiting thoughts, beliefs and behaviors. Disordered eating habits can become ingrained, making it difficult for them to return to appropriate eating patterns on their own. To challenge destructive behaviors, it is important to replace those habits with better alternatives on a consistent basis. With time, the old destructive behaviors are replaced with ones that support their journey toward becoming and remaining recovered. 

Meal Support in ED Recovery

At meal support sessions, eating disorder therapists ask leading questions and start a dialogue that promotes mindfulness and other self-monitoring behaviors. Clients share their discoveries with the professionals leading the residential eating disorder programs to receive help overcoming their main barriers to recovery. Working through these barriers allows them to build a healthy relationship with food and learn to enjoy mealtimes. With mindful reframing of negative thought patterns, those with eating disorders can start to make positive associations with eating and sitting down for meals.

Partners in Treatment

Nutritional treatment at Monte Nido and Affiliates is designed to provide clients with the experiences and skills they need to continue the process of developing freedom, flexibility and ease with food needed for a recovered life. We know clients can, with effective treatment and support, restore a healthy relationship with food and realize their healthy selves.