The fall brings on more than just colder weather – new routines, holiday countdowns and time with friends and family. Along with these changes in seasons comes a variety of potential eating disorder triggers. With weather shifts, changing schedules, and family time on the horizon, fall can feel daunting to tackle without having a support team in place.
Seasonal Challenges for Those in Recovery
Each season presents its own unique set of challenges and changes. Individuals navigating eating disorders may feel these shifts more acutely than their peers. As the temperature starts to drop and the sun sets earlier, mood can be extremely impacted. We spend more time isolated indoors, get less sunlight and have less options for hobbies and activities that bring joy. We are less likely to engage in social activities and seek the comfort of our own homes. This shift in weather can bring about sudden mood changes, and for those who are battling eating disorders, an uptick in behaviors.
Another contributing factor to changes in mood are shifting schedules. Those who attend school are forced to adapt to a completely different timeline, which can be extremely challenging for those in recovery. In recovery, individuals work very hard to form a meal plan and routine that best supports their needs. This can be turned upside down with schedule shifts in the fall.
Fall also brings about holiday preparations and a heavier reliance on potential trigger or comfort foods. This increased exposure can prove to be very challenging for individuals navigating disordered eating.
How an Eating Disorder Nutritionist Can Help
Working with an eating disorder nutritionist in NYC can provide a unique and invaluable approach amidst your recovery journey. Working with a trained professional can be crucial in navigating life’s changes and challenges while staying recovery-oriented. Working with your nutritionist to create a personal meal plan allows for individual flexibility, and can be adapted to include seasonally appropriate foods. This can be essential in repairing your relationship with food and appreciating when these changes in season come around. Working with an eating disorder nutritionist in NYC can also be crucial in planning ahead for holiday meals. Maintaining adequacy while navigating the shifting dynamics of the holidays can be extremely tricky, setting the stage for eating disorder behaviors to increase. This may look like setting boundaries with family members, introducing challenge foods and normalizing eating leading up to big events.
Another aspect of seasonal changes that may prove challenging for those struggling with food and body is the feelings that may arise as wardrobes shift. The act of going through your closet, perhaps trying things on and determining what to keep and what no longer serves you can be extremely upsetting and difficult to navigate.
NYC-Specific Tips for Fall Nutrition
Seasonal produce in the fall lends itself to creating a variety of warm, cozy and nourishing dishes. Things like squash, apples, sweet potatoes, kale, pears, carrots, pumpkin and cranberries are freshest and most flavorful in the fall. Here in NYC, we are surrounded by Farmer’s Markets that thrive in the fall. Working with an Eating Disorder Nutritionist in NYC can help you bring creativity and balance to your fall meals, while utilizing what is available and accessible to you.
Seasonal produce in the fall lends itself to creating a variety of warm, cozy and nourishing dishes. Things like squash, apples, sweet potatoes, kale, pears, carrots, pumpkin and cranberries are freshest and most flavorful in the fall. Here in NYC, we are surrounded by Farmer’s Markets that thrive in the fall. Working with an Eating Disorder Nutritionist in NYC can help you bring creativity and balance to your fall meals, while utilizing what is available and accessible to you.
Building Mindful Seasonal Habits
Rather than approaching the fall with dread and anxiety, this change can bring about an opportunity to build strength in recovery amidst challenges. This is an opportunity for self-compassion and kindness. We can develop these crucial skills by taking extra time for self care and ensuring that we are checking in with our own needs and values, even amidst holiday excitement. The fall brings about the opportunity to challenge our tendencies to stick to a routine and familiarity, instead asking us to embrace variety. With the right support, fall can be nourishing and rejuvenating rather than stressful.