Why Eating Disorder Recovery Requires Specialized Nutrition Support
Eating disorders aren’t simply about food choices. Eating disorders are mental health disorders with medical and psychological considerations. There are various signs and symptoms of eating disorders, including but not limited to:
- Preoccupation with food, isolation, shame around eating, changes in mood, body checking behaviors, distress around eating, cutting out certain food groups
- GI issues, brittle nails, abnormal labs, dental problems, menstrual irregularities, impaired immune function, cold intolerance, change in exercise patterns, dry skin and hair.
Since no eating disorder is alike and presentations can be complex, general nutrition advice may not be appropriate. At Nourishing NY, understand that nutrition education alone is not sufficient for eating disorder recovery. An eating disorder dietitian can help provide evidence-based nutrition education while also dispelling nutrition myths that we often hear in the media. A dietitian that specializes in disordered eating will provide this education and counseling with a weight-neutral approach while integrating therapeutic modalities such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and motivational interviewing. By doing this, your dietitian can help you heal your relationship with both food and body while ensuring you are getting adequate nutrition with foods that both nourish and satisfy you. A registered dietitian NYC can also help you explore relationship with movement and guide you in finding movement that feels good in your body with intentions of improving physical health and internal motivation rather than focusing on external motivators (i.e. changing your appearance).
What Credentials Should an Eating Disorder Dietitian Have?
When searching for an eating disorder registered dietitian NYC, look for the following:
- RD/RDN: This is the Registered Dietitian/Registered Dietitian Nutritionist credential. This ensures you that the provider had completed an undergraduate program in nutrition and/or dietetics, a 1,200 internship program, and passed the Registered Dietitian exam through the Commission on Dietetic Registration.
- CDN in New York: This is the Certified Dietitian Nutritionist credential for dietitians practicing in New York. While New York doesn’t have licensure, they have a certification which is necessary for RDs to provide medical nutrition therapy and nutrition counseling in the state.
- Specialized eating disorder training: To ensure a registered dietitian NYC specializes in eating disorders, you may see the following on their website:
- CEDS (Certified Eating Disorders Specialist): A provider receives this credential when they have practiced treating eating disorders for a certain amount of time and met specific criteria assigned through iaedp (International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals).
- CIEC (Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor): a dietitian who partners with clients to develop healthier relationships with food and their bodies.
- Some other key words you may see are specializes in disordered eating, weight neutral, anti-diet, Health at Every Size (HAES)®, weight inclusive, all foods fit.
- Importance of ongoing education: To stay up to date with current, evidence-based recommendations, it is important for eating disorder dietitians to complete continuing education. Per the Commission of Dietetic Registration, all registered dietitians must complete 75 CEUs within a 5 year period to maintain their RD/RDN license.
Beyond Credentials: What Should You Look for in a Dietitian?
Once you’ve found a registered dietitian NYC with the right credentials, the next step is to ensure they have eating disorder and disordered eating experience. All of the dietitians at Nourishing NY specialize in eating disorders, as well as providing medical nutrition therapy through a weight-neutral lens. Here are some key words to look out for on a provider’s website in your search:
- Weight-inclusive approach: An approach to health and general wellness that focuses on improving health outcomes rather than emphasizing weight loss or body size. This is a holistic approach to improving health outcomes, including eating habits, sleep, movement, mental and emotional health, and social connections.
- HAES®-informed care: This is a framework of care created by the Association for Size Diversity and Health. When a registered dietitian is aligned with HAES®, this means they provide nutrition counseling from a weight neutral lens with compassion. The 4 principles and 10 core elements are at the center of their framework. The 4 principles of HAES® are:
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- Healthcare is a human right for people of all sizes, including those at the highest end of the size spectrum.
- Wellbeing, care, and healing are resources that are both collective and deeply personal.
- Care is fully provided only when free from anti-fat bias and offered with people of all sizes in mind.
- Health is a sociopolitical construct that reflects the values of society.
- Intuitive eating: Intuitive eating is a self-care eating framework built on 10 principles. These principles highlight various topics, including honoring hunger and fullness, finding joyful movement, respecting one’s body, and rejecting diet mentality.
- Compassionate, nonjudgmental communication
- Experience with different eating disorders: No eating disorder is the same. It may be important in your search to know if a RD has experience working with eating disorders across the spectrum. This includes but is not limited to: anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, OSFED (other specified feeding or eating disorder), binge eating disorder, ARFID (avoidant-restrictive food intake disorder).
Questions to Ask a Registered Dietitian Before Your First Appointment
Before scheduling an initial session with a registered dietitian NYC, it can be helpful to have a conversation prior to see if it’s a good fit. At Nourishing NY, we provide a 15-minute complimentary discovery call with your assigned dietitian. During this call, you will learn more about the practice, nutrition philosophies, the dietitian you’ve been assigned to, as well as have the opportunity to discuss your individual goals and ask any questions you may have. Some questions that may be supportive to ask are:
- What populations do you work with?
- What is your approach to weight and nutrition?
- How do you work with a therapist or physician?
- Do you accept insurance?
- Do you offer virtual appointments?
How a Registered Dietitian Can Fit Into Your Eating Disorder Treatment Team
Working with a full treatment team is vital for eating disorder treatment and recovery. It is important that you seek out an eating disorder registered dietitian that also communicates frequently with the rest of your team to provide you with the best support. Dietitians at Nourishing NY collaborate with all treatment team members, including:
- Therapist
- Physician
- Psychiatrist
- Dietitian: If you’ve transitioned from a different dietitian or higher level of care, your registered dietitian NYC at Nourishing NY will collaborate with your previous RD as well.
With consent, Nourishing NY will also connect with your loved ones and other supports.
Finding the Right Registered Dietitian in NYC for You
- Location: If you prefer in-person sessions, finding a registered dietitian NYC that has an office to offer in-person support is important. In-person and virtual both have pros and cons, so discussing with your treatment team the best approach is important. Virtual options increase the availability of RDs, if they are licensed in your state of residence. Our dietitians at Nourishing NY are licensed in various states and provide virtual nutrition counseling in Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia. We also have an in-person office in Manhattan.
- Insurance: If you’re looking for in-network nutrition support, checking insurance coverage is important. This information can usually be found on a nutrition practice website or can be discussed during an initial phone call. Nourishing NY is in-network with Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Healthfirst, United Healthcare, and some Medicaid plans.
- Specialization: Look for a dietitian that specializes in eating disorders and disordered eating. This can be found through their website (CEDS credential or key words such as “specializes in eating disorders, “weight neutral,” or “HAES®-aligned). This may be confirmed through a call with the provider to ensure they have the tools to best support you.
- Personal fit: Building rapport and finding a registered dietitian NYC that is the best fit for you is important. The 15-minute complimentary discovery call with Nourishing NY is a great way to assess if your assigned dietitian and you are the right fit.
The “right” dietitian isn’t necessarily the closest or cheapest option. It should be someone qualified to support your specific recovery needs. If a nutrition practice or registered dietitian is not in-network with your insurance plan, it’s important to assess your budget. Inquiring about out-of-pocket fees and potential sliding scale fees can be helpful when trying to find a provider.