Vegetarianism and Eating Disorder Recovery for Adolescent Patients

While vegetarianism in general in something that is widely accepted and even promoted, the appropriateness of vegetarianism in eating disorder recovery is often a topic of controversy. Many individuals might choose to become vegetarian for various purposes, mainly to make healthier choices when it comes to eating and in support of animal rights and protection.

The decision to become a vegetarian might be decided by a child at an early age, in which awareness and connection are made between meat and animals. Some children and adolescents may no longer want to consume animals or animal products as part of a personal decision to do no harm to animals.

Some adolescents or children may be intolerable of the taste or texture of meats, poultry, and other animal products, and this may also influence their decision to become vegetarian.

Can Vegetarianism Provide Proper Nutrition That is Necessary for Recovery

While these reasons for choosing to become vegetarian are completely appropriate, what if a child or adolescent is in recovery from an eating disorder? When the body has been severely malnourished, which is one of the most common side effects resulting from these illnesses, adequate nutrition is even more important to rebuild and repair the body.

The concern about remaining vegetarian during eating disorder recovery is that an individual may potentially not receive the proper amounts of nutrition necessary for healing.

Restrictive Diets Limit Sources for Nutrition

Adolescents who are in the acute phase of eating disorder recovery typically need high amounts of calories, proteins, vitamins and minerals to ensure the body has what is needed to restore normal functions. The less restrictive the diet, the more optimal sources and options available for nutrition, which can be most beneficial for an adolescent recovering from an eating disorder.

If your loved one is adamant about their choice to remain vegetarian during eating disorder recovery, it is crucial to work with a professional treatment team to ensure that your child is receiving proper nutrition for recovery. Working with a registered dietitian who specializes in eating disorders can be helpful as well to monitor nutrition intake and status during the recovery process and to devise ways to meet nutrition requirements.  Additionally,

Working with a registered dietitian who specializes in eating disorders can be helpful as well to monitor nutrition intake and status during the recovery process and to devise ways to meet nutrition requirements.  Additionally, eating disorder treatment may be required for some vegetarian adolescents.

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Contributor: Crystal Karges, MS, RDN, IBCLC

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.

Reviewed By: Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC on May 7, 2017

Published on EatingDisorderHope.com