Why Summer Routine Changes Affect Eating Patterns
Here in NYC, the weather has finally warmed up (and then cooled off!) enough to enjoy spending a bit more time outside. This month’s change in season often means more travel, use of PTO, and even summer Fridays if you’re lucky.
The increase in temperature brings along more than just fun plans. As it gets hotter and hotter, our appetites change, what sounds appealing and even what foods are in season can look completely different compared to a few weeks ago. Our body produces different amounts of hormones to adapt to the change in temperature in an attempt to keep us as comfortable as possible.
In addition to physical changes, we see the logistical changes that summer brings about as well. Changes in routine and lack of control related to travel can spark fear and anxiety. Irregular meals and an increase in social gatherings around food, wearing less clothing, and an increased pressure to “stay on track” are all stressors that get louder in the warmer summer months. Nutrition counseling NYC with a registered dietitian who specializes in eating disorders can help you navigate seasonal pressures related to food and body.
Common Food Fears That Show Up During Vacation Season
Going on vacation and spending more time out of our normal day-to-day routines can feel very disruptive, even if it includes getting away to somewhere fun. More vacation and traveling means more eating out, which can lead to anxiety around desserts, alcohol, and “treat” foods. The anxiety doesn’t end after the trip, as guilt may creep in as we find our way back to normal. This flip flopping from one extreme to the next only promotes all-or-nothing thinking around eating, making it even harder to navigate travels.
How an Eating Disorder Dietitian Helps You Prepare for Summer Events
Working with an Eating Disorder Dietitian can help you feel more prepared, confident and flexible going into your summer events. When it comes to meal planning, working with a professional is crucial to help strike a balance, creating a loose idea without things feeling too strict or rigid. For events that are out of your control, such as going out to restaurants or parties, nutrition counseling NYC with an Eating Disorder Dietitian can help fine tune your toolbox of coping strategies so you feel more prepared going into it. Body image may be another area that you need help navigating, and different triggers may come up during travel, so working with an Eating Disorder Dietitian to manage your individual needs and experiences can be a vital tool in preparing for summer events.
Overall, the goal is to prevent relapse during routine disruptions, which is often when we reach for our eating disorder most. Working with an Eating Disorder Dietitian for nutrition counseling NYC is one way of seeking more support during a time that may feel extra challenging.
What Nutrition Counseling in NYC Looks Like for Eating Disorder Support
Nutrition counseling NYC consists of individualized nutrition therapy, because the goal is to make it work for you, and the only way to do that is to work as a team. This collaborative care approach includes you as part of the care team, as you know yourself better than anyone else. At Nourishing NY our team of Eating Disorder Dietitians collaborate with the rest of your care team, including therapists, doctors, and/or psychiatrists to ensure you are getting wrap around care. We work with our clients and their care team to set goals that work for them and their lifestyle, beyond prescribing weight loss as a catch-all solution. The goal is to build long-term food flexibility, so you are able to feel more and more confident navigating life’s challenges on your own.
Finding a Nutritionist in NYC That Accepts Insurance
Nourishing NY was founded on affordable and accessible care, to help as many people as we possibly can. Accessible care can be the crucial piece to get someone living a more fulfilled and happy life. Finding a Nutritionist in NYC that accepts insurance may feel daunting but is a big step towards recovery.
You may verify your insurance for nutrition counseling NYC by contacting your insurance company (using the number on the back of your insurance card) and asking about medical nutrition therapy, preventative services, or registered dietitian coverage. It may be helpful to ask about the following codes that are commonly used in nutrition counseling billing, which include:
- F50.9: Eating disorder (i.e. Anorexia nervosa, Bulimia nervosa, ARFID, Binge Eating Disorder)
- Z71.3: Dietary counseling and surveillance
- Z72.4: Inappropriate diet and eating habits
- R73.03: Pre-diabetes
- E11.9: Diabetes
- E78.00: High cholesterol
- E28.2: PCOS
- Z82.49: Family history of heart disease
- Z83.3: Family history of diabetes
These are common terms used by insurance companies that you may hear regarding coverage:
- Deductible: the amount of money you pay out-of-pocket before your insurance company starts paying.
- Example: If your deductible is $500 per calendar year, you must spend $500 out-of-pocket before insurance starts paying towards your healthcare services.
- Copay: a fixed fee you pay for healthcare services. Depending on your insurance plan, a copay may be applicable after meeting your deductible.
- Example: Your copay for nutrition sessions is $30. This means every nutrition session you pay $30 out-of-pocket and your insurance company covers the rest.
- Out-of-network reimbursement: This means your insurance company will pay you for healthcare services received with an out-of-network provider. You will have to pay the full fee out-of-pocket and then your insurance company will send you a reimbursement check. Depending on the plan, it may be partial reimbursement (usually a percentage). You may ask your provider if they offer superbills, which you can submit to your insurance company.
- Co-insurance: the share of your cost for a covered healthcare service after meeting your deductible, which is calculated as a percentage.
- Example: Your coinsurance is 20% for nutrition services and your deductible is $500. Once you spend $500 on healthcare services, you will only pay 20% of the cost of your nutrition session (if the session is $100, you only spend $20 and the insurance company pays the rest).
At Nourishing NY, our billing team takes care of the insurance benefits check for you. After inquiring through the contact form on our website, our team will reach out to you requesting your insurance card and information, current diagnoses/medical history, and other demographic information. Our team will then contact your insurance company and complete the benefit check for you. Afterwards, the billing team will make you aware of your benefits and then you’re ready to schedule with a registered dietitian in NYC after your discovery call!