Understanding Nutrition and Binge Eating Disorder

Contributor: Crystal Karges, MS, RDN, IBCLC Special Projects Coordinator at Eating Disorder Hope/Addiction Hope

What comes to mind when you hear the word nutrition? Perhaps something related to weight loss? A diet trend that you have heard or read about recently? Maybe you have negative associations with anything nutrition related due to previous experience.

Nutrition is something that is often generally misunderstood, largely in part to the amount of misinformation that abundantly circulates on the internet, social media, television, etc. Eating “healthy” is also something that is not taken in a correct context. Many individuals assume that eating healthily means cutting out foods that are enjoyable or following a restrictive diet.

In recovery from binge eating disorder, nutrition is often something that needs to be renegotiated. When an individual with binge eating disorder feels deprived in any manner, particularly in regards to what they are eating, this will only further intensity urges to binge.

Binging will typically result in feelings of guilt about foods that were eaten, which only gives the perception that those foods eaten are in fact “Bad”. Classifying foods as “good” or “Bad” make seem like a way of control or following nutrition principles, but in fact, this is counterintuitive to what is normal in the body.

Nutrition Principles

Learning nutrition principles in binge eating disorder does not revolve around the concept of what you can eat versus what you shouldn’t be eating. Nutrition in eating disorder recovery focuses on neutralizing all foods and coming to an understanding that any food can have a place in a balanced diet.

Nutrition in binge eating disorder recovery also focuses on intuitive eating and learning to trust the innate wisdom in the body that can naturally regulate hunger and fullness. Learning nutrition basics does not involve dieting but rather should bring an individual to a peaceful relationship with food and body.

If you have been struggling with nutrition concepts or basics in your recovery from binge eating disorder, be sure to work with a registered dietitian who specializes in eating disorder recovery.

Having some professional guidance can be helpful in clearing many of the misunderstandings and negative associations that you may have had with nutrition in your past, leading you to much healthier relationship with food in your future.

Community Discussion – Share your thoughts here!

What do you think are some of the common misconceptions about nutrition?

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Crystal is a Masters-level Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) with a specialty focus in eating disorders, maternal/child health and wellness, and intuitive eating. Combining clinical experience with a love of social media and writing, Crystal serves as the Special Projects Coordinator for Eating Disorder Hope/Addiction Hope, where her passion to help others find recovery and healing is integrated into each part of her work.

As a Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor, Crystal has dedicated her career to helping others establish a healthy relationship with food and body through her work with EDH/AH and nutrition private practice.

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The opinions and views of our guest contributors are shared to provide a broad perspective of eating disorders. These are not necessarily the views of Eating Disorder Hope, but an effort to offer discussion of various issues by different concerned individuals.

We at Eating Disorder Hope understand that eating disorders result from a combination of environmental and genetic factors. If you or a loved one are suffering from an eating disorder, please know that there is hope for you, and seek immediate professional help.

Last Updated & Reviewed By: Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC on November 2, 2015
Published on EatingDisorderHope.com