The Plate-by-Plate Approach®

Many are heading to #college! For those in #eatingdisorderrecovery there is a lot to think through and “practice” ahead of time. Before leaving, not only is it important to be stable with your eating disorder behaviors, to be wt restored, medically in a good place, ideally for your mood to be in a stable place - but for you to be able to actually select food in the dining halls! If you are eating the same foods all day….variety will need some work to ensure success at school!

Where are you when you sit down to eat? ⁠ Often our clients describe eating on their laps, or in their bedrooms, in the car, or slouched on the coach. They have a meal, but kind of wish they weren't having the meal....what if you were intentional about having the meal. "Yes, I need this food. I am nourishing my body." Would it feel different if you set the table? Played music? Lit a candle? Even if you are eating alone, you deserve to eat with intention.⁠ ⁠ ⁠ #meals #mealtim

The actual plate you use is critical in the Plate-by-Plate approach®. Since this is a visual approach to serving enough food, it relies on a simple dinner-size plate as its backbone. This will be the only tool you will need to master this approach—no measuring cups or measuring spoons required! The plate size we recommend (and the one we that we use for our posts) is roughly ten inches wide. ⁠ ⁠ Plating on side salad plates, toddler plates, paper plates, or plastic plates, ar

We love this quote by Nan Shaw, LCSW, FBT, CEDS-S, one of our favorite therapists and author of the FBT Chapter in our book, "How to Nourish Your Child Through an Eating Disorder." ⁠ ⁠ During Phase 1 of Family Based Treatment, the main focus is for parents to rescue their child who desperately needs help. It doesn't matter how they got there or why, just that they need help, now. "Jump in and rescue them even if they fight your efforts out of fear and confusion, and even if

There are so many why’s for #recovery. ⁠ Have you found yours? 👇Tell us yours below! ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ I want to be cleared to play my sport ⁠ I want to get out the hospital⁠ I want to be independent ⁠ I want to go to college. ⁠ I want to get taller ⁠ I want to get my period ⁠ I want my testosterone levels higher ⁠ I want my mood to be better ⁠ I want to feel less depressed ⁠ I want to be less anxious ⁠ I want to feel stronger ⁠ I want to stop getting injured ⁠ I want to meet new friend

Those going through #eatingdisorderrecovery might be looking around, wondering why their plates of food are bigger than others'. Well, there are a few reasons for this. ⁠ ⁠ For one, restoring health which includes stabilizing vital signs, hormones, bones, metabolism and more, during eating disorder recovery requires a significant boost in nutrition. For some, especially those requiring weight restoration, nutritional requirements can be 2-3 x one's baseline! This means that

Are you flying anywhere this summer? With clients gearing up for #summervacation we are frequently asked "what do I eat while traveling?"⁠ ⁠ The beauty of the #platebyplateappraoch is that it can be taken with you anywhere in the #world, and can be used in any food setting. This #airport meal is quick - a pre-made sandwich, fruit cup, and a yogurt. All 5 food groups are accounted for and the plate is full. Plus, you can bring it on the #plane with you if you're rushed for tim

It can be helpful to brainstorm with your child and other family members what conversation topics are positive to talk about and which ones to avoid. This helps the home become a place of serenity in the face of an eating disorder—a safe zone, protected from the messages your child and your family are inundated with in the outside world. This will also give your family a chance to talk about other things: politics, sports, school, and friends (swipe for some ideas)! For that

As you work on rebuilding your⁠ relationship with food, ask yourself this simple question (tip: it works in other areas of life too): ⁠ ⁠ “Does this bring me joy?” ⁠ ⁠ Only you know. ⁠ ⁠ And if the answer is “no,” it might just be time to move on. ⁠ ⁠ Eating disorders strip the joy right out of eating. They create unfounded food rules and instill fear around eating foods you once loved. Do a little spring cleaning and get rid of what doesn't bring you joy, because you deserve