Author: Rhea Lewandoski R.D.
Regular and consistent eating is an important aspect of recovery for all eating disorders. This usually includes some form of habituation to challenge certain foods, food rituals, or food rules. Sometimes this can mean you are completing recovery actions that don’t feel “right” in the moment but are necessary to “challenge” the eating disorder. Once a period of regular eating is established someone can often access more capacity to check-in with themselves around meals and snacks to establish some rapport between their body and brain i.e. What am I craving? What would be satisfying? What emotions am I experiencing right now? Are my thoughts impacting my intake? etc.
If you have been experiencing more capacity to tune in or think checking in with yourself before, during and/or after meals and snacks would be helpful for your recovery, here are some prompting questions to explore:
How am I feeling?
What are my thoughts? - Recovery focused? Eating Disorder thoughts?
How am I talking to myself?
How can I show myself compassion?
How do I feel physically?
What do I want to eat?
How hungry am I?
Do I think any of these things will impact my intake and/or trigger eating disorder behaviours? If so, what tools do I have to practice before, during and after.
Often asking targeted questions can help to explore with curiosity vs. judgement and allow someone to notice patterns in their thoughts, behaviours, and emotions. This curiosity can provide “ah-ha” moments and actionable next steps in recovery.
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