{"id":2004,"date":"2024-11-07T01:30:39","date_gmt":"2024-11-07T01:30:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jennywegnertherapy.com\/?p=2004"},"modified":"2024-11-07T01:37:56","modified_gmt":"2024-11-07T01:37:56","slug":"thanksgiving-eating-disorder-support","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jennywegnertherapy.com\/thanksgiving-eating-disorder-support\/","title":{"rendered":"Thanksgiving Tips for Supporting a Loved With With an Eating Disorder"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Dear parents, siblings, family and friends supporting your loved one while in the season of Eating Disorder recovery,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My name is Jenny Wegner and over the past 17 years I have sat and eaten over a 1,000 meals with eating disorder clients while working in various outpatient and therapeutic settings. I have learned a thing or two about how to make those in recovery feel more comfortable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I am now offering my firsthand experience with you, on how I can support you. Whether you’re a parent, a sibling, or family friends, you’re sure to find some helpful tips in this guide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Inside the Mind of Someone With an Eating Disorder<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"tips<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For millions of people, Thanksgiving brings us together for fellowship, fun, and a celebratory meal to give thanks for the past year and the year ahead; however for someone with an eating disorder, this day can bring feelings of stress, anxiety, and dread.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some may even wonder if they should skip thanksgiving altogether. Because a day that is solely focused on food can bring out tension and stress that many families do not have to think about. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

With the same mentality, it\u2019s important to realize that this day is a big deal for someone still in recovery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Things to Consider Before the Meal<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Plan the Meal Setup to Create Comfort<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Think about how your Thanksgiving meal is typically served. Does your family prefer a beautifully set table with everyone seated, or do you arrange a buffet where everyone plates their meal in the kitchen before sitting down? Knowing the setup in advance can help make your loved one feel more comfortable and prepared to enjoy the meal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Accommodate Meal Plans<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If your loved one is following a meal plan that requires specific portioning, consider informing close family members who may need to know. This way, they\u2019ll understand the importance of proper plating without drawing unnecessary attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Respect Privacy Around New Diagnoses<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If the eating disorder is a new diagnosis and a private matter, you may want to portion the meal separately, out of view from others. This can help maintain privacy and create a more relaxed atmosphere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Discuss Safe Food Choices in Advance<\/strong>
If you\u2019re helping with portioning, talk with your loved one ahead of time about which foods feel most manageable for them. Acknowledging any \u201cfear foods<\/a>\u201d in advance helps prevent miscommunication or discomfort when it\u2019s time to sit down together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keep Food in the Kitchen<\/strong>
For a less overwhelming experience, consider leaving the food in the kitchen and serving it buffet style. Keeping the dining table clear of extra food can reduce anxiety and make the meal environment more relaxed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Guidelines for the Dining Table<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
    \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Avoid Talking About the Food<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Though it might feel natural to comment on how delicious the food tastes, try to refrain from discussing food at the table. If you want to compliment the host, do so in a separate moment, away from the dining table, to keep the focus off the food itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Skip Comments on Portion Sizes<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Commenting on the portions someone has\u2014or hasn\u2019t\u2014taken can feel uncomfortable or intrusive. Everyone\u2019s preferences differ, so it\u2019s best to avoid discussing portion sizes altogether.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Respect Food Choices<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Refrain from commenting on the specific items someone has chosen (or left off) their plate. This respect for personal choices supports everyone\u2019s comfort at the table, especially for those with specific dietary needs or concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Handle Leftover Food Privately<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    If a loved one is struggling to finish their meal, plan beforehand to address this in private. Avoid calling attention to unfinished food at the table, which can feel embarrassing or shameful. Consider discussing options for supplementing nutrition privately in the kitchen after the meal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Keep the Meal Time Manageable<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Aim to keep the meal duration around 30 minutes. If your loved one is struggling to complete their meal within this time, gently remove their plate and handle supplementation in private, so there\u2019s no added pressure to keep eating beyond their comfort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Avoid Announcing Fullness<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Comments like \u201cI\u2019m so full\u201d or \u201cI\u2019m stuffed\u201d may seem harmless, but they can be triggering for someone struggling with their own hunger and fullness cues. Instead, keep the conversation focused on non-food-related topics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Avoid Praising Someone for Eating<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    While it may be tempting to say \u201cGood job\u201d or \u201cProud of you\u201d for eating, such comments can feel uncomfortable. Instead, express appreciation for their presence, saying something like, \u201cI enjoyed having dinner with you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Avoid \u201cEarning\u201d Your Meal Comments<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    If you ran a Turkey Trot or exercised that morning, keep it to yourself. Comments about \u201cburning calories\u201d to \u201cearn\u201d the meal can perpetuate harmful ideas about food and exercise, especially during a time meant for celebration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Supporting Your Loved One\u2019s Recovery Journey<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
    \"eating<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Honor Your Own Hunger and Fullness Cues<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    It\u2019s natural to feel helpless watching your loved one struggle with eating. Sometimes, this might even lead you to eat more than you planned, hoping to support them in some way. But remember, you can\u2019t \u201ceat away\u201d their eating disorder. As a parent, sibling, or friend, you\u2019re not following a weight restoration meal plan. Stay mindful of your body\u2019s needs and trust your own hunger and fullness cues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Remember, Recovery is Their Journey<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    As challenging as it is, you can\u2019t do recovery for them. They need to build a new relationship with food on their own terms. Supporting them means allowing them the space to navigate this process, even when it feels difficult or slow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Trust the Process and the Team<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Recovery can feel overwhelming, but know that things will improve over time. Trust the professionals\u2014therapists, dietitians, and medical teams\u2014who are guiding the process. You\u2019re not alone in this; your support team is with you every step of the way, helping both you and your loved one navigate the journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Get Support From Jenny Wegner Therapy, Eating Disorder Therapist in Denver<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    If you or a loved one is struggling with an eating disorder, know that compassionate support is available. Jenny Wegner, an experienced eating disorder therapist based in Denver, CO<\/a>, offers specialized care to clients throughout Colorado. Take the first step toward healing by booking a free consultation with Jenny, where you can explore how personalized therapy can help you navigate your journey to recovery. Reach out today and start building a healthier relationship with food and yourself.<\/a>
    <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Thanksgiving can be tough for those with an eating disorder. Check out our blog for tips to help you navigate the day with confidence.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2005,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_lock_modified_date":false,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[20],"tags":[28],"ppma_author":[24],"class_list":["post-2004","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-eating-disorders","tag-holidays"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/jennywegnertherapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/thanksgiving-tips-eating-disorder.jpg","authors":[{"term_id":24,"user_id":2,"is_guest":0,"slug":"jenny","display_name":"Jenny Wegner","avatar_url":{"url":"https:\/\/jennywegnertherapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/jenny.jpeg","url2x":"https:\/\/jennywegnertherapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/jenny.jpeg"},"first_name":"Jenny","last_name":"Wegner","user_url":"https:\/\/jennywegnertherapy.com","job_title":"Eating Disorder Therapist","description":"Jenny Wegner is an eating disorder specialist with 17+ years of experience helping people overcome their eating disorders. Today, she has helped hundreds of people achieve a full recovery."}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/jennywegnertherapy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2004","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/jennywegnertherapy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/jennywegnertherapy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jennywegnertherapy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jennywegnertherapy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2004"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/jennywegnertherapy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2004\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2013,"href":"https:\/\/jennywegnertherapy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2004\/revisions\/2013"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jennywegnertherapy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2005"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/jennywegnertherapy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2004"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jennywegnertherapy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2004"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jennywegnertherapy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2004"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jennywegnertherapy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ppma_author?post=2004"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}