Negotiating holiday eating

The holidays are nearly here again, and for families where over- or undereating is an issue, these food-oriented festivities, which kick off with Thanksgiving, can be fraught. Here, we offer a few tips on how to handle this challenging time of year. They are applicable to families dealing with an eating disorder or for anyone who wants to eat healthily during the holidays

 

·         Try making your family’s holiday traditions more about relationships and activities than about food.

·         Don’t skip meals or plan to undereat or diet the day following a family holiday.

·         Do what you can to keep the variety of dishes reasonable and minimize food that is left out for grabbing and snacking.

·         Talk to other family members in advance about not pushing food or commenting on diets, calories, or weight loss. Even too much emphasis on trying to make healthy choices at holiday meals can add to the stress.

·         It is particularly important if your child is recovering from a serious eating disorder to have pre-warned family members about the kind of talk and attention that is appropriate. I suggest that parents develop a kind of code or signal that tells family members or other guests, “change the subject, and fast!”

·          Because meal schedules may be altered and more snack foods and desserts are served during the holidays, it’s important that parents of an eating-disordered child be extra-solicitous and vigilant. If circumstances conspire to create a level of stress that interferes with your child’s recovery, you and your child should sit down and prioritize the extras in your lives. Remember that the first item on your list of important things to accomplish – even during the holidays -- should be your child’s recovery.

 

My patient Jane’s treatment was in its early stages when she faced her first family Thanksgiving meal. As much as her parents wanted her to be able to fully participate in the traditional meal, it was clear that Jane was far from ready. Jane, her parents, and I decided that the best approach was to carefully plan in advance what Jane would eat, focusing on taking care of the basic food groups: protein, carbs, calcium, fat, veggies, and what we call “fun foods,” or treats eaten purely for enjoyment. We agreed that Jane could eat some turkey for protein, a slice of bread and butter for carbs and fat, a glass of milk, and green beans. We decided Jane could bring a fun food from home that felt “safe.”

 

Holiday meals can also be a time for progress. Sarah, a freshman in college and a patient of mine recovering from anorexia, is excited about participating fully in her family’s Thanksgiving for the first time in years. Sarah knows that her grandmother will start the family festivities by serving a traditional Italian meal in the early afternoon. A few hours later, out will come a full Thanksgiving meal with all the trimmings. Sarah knows that she needs to have her usual good breakfast, to think of the Italian meal as lunch and the traditional Thanksgiving meal as dinner. Sarah’s parents are ready to negotiate serving sizes and other choices if she needs help.

 

We hope that these tips will help you all enjoy the spirit, the meaning, the fun and the foods of the holiday season!

Marcia and Nancy

Comments

[CED]

The holidays can definitely be a stressful time especially for those who suffer from eating disorders. The Center for Eating Disorders at Sheppard Pratt recently wrote a blog entry with helpful tips for the holidays. They provide 10 great ways to manage holiday stress and anxiety.
Click here to read more: http://eatingdisorder.org/blog/2008/11/25/thanksgiving-with-an-eating-disorder-10-tips-to-help-you-get-through-the-holiday/

[Crystal (Eating Recovery Center)]

In relation to the holidays and eating disorders, Eating Recovery Center, an eating disorder center in Denver, is offering a holiday eating guide as body image issues and food-centric activities takes center stage during the holidays. Visit https://www.eatingrecoverycenter.com/pdf/ERC_Holiday_v3.pdf to download this informational flyer.

[Marcia Herrin]

We are happy to pass on the Eating Recovery Center's holiday support guide. This Denver, Colorado eating disorder (inpatient, residential, and outpatient) facility is one of the best in the country.

Marcia Herrin
Co-author of The Parent's Guide to Eating Disorders, 2007

[MaryJo Briggs]

Holidays can definately be a challenging time from Christmas, to Thanksgiving to even Easter!
I know this first hand but completely enjoy them now.
Maryjo@bulimiabreakthrough.com

[Holidays with New York Tours]

The holidays can definitely be a stressful time especially for those who suffer from eating disorders. The solution is moderation, people..