Nutrition Therapy is a unique process for each individual, based on their specific needs. In our sessions we assess how various components in your life including: food intake, activity level, medical conditions, stress, sleep patterns, etc., contribute to your well-being. A thorough assessment is conducted during our initial consultation with recommendations tailored for your specific needs based on your goals.

In a nutshell, nutrition therapy aims to empower individuals rather than restrict them. It helps you to understand and respect your body’s needs rather than to ignore them. By incorporating balanced nutrition into daily practices, the need for restrictive diets and calorie counting begins to recede; therefore, allowing for cultivation of health and well-being. With this unique approach, we use attunement and awareness to make choices confidently, and to eat without remorse.

An Eating Disorder serves as a coping mechanism in the absence of other, healthier ways of managing difficulty and distress. Eating Disorders are emotionally based and the behaviors are only a symptom to the disease. The disordered eating behaviors are only an attempt to numb, control, avoid, and forget the emotional pain that underlies the disease.

An eating disorder will not simply resolve on its own and may turn into a lifelong battle if not addressed.

As a nutrition therapist Erin works with individuals to redefine their relationship with food in a more safe and healthy manner. Our work will encompass such topics as: food myths and beliefs, one’s emotional and behavioral relationship with food, metabolism, exercise resistance, body image concerns, etc. Erin understands that the decision to begin treatment doesn't mean you're ready to let go of your eating disorder, just that you're willing to look at a different way of living.

Persistent restriction of energy intake leading to significantly low body weight (in context of what is minimally expected for age, sex, developmental trajectory, and physical health) .

Either an intense fear of gaining weight or of becoming fat, or persistent behaviour that interferes with weight gain (even though significantly low weight).

Disturbance in the way one's body weight or shape is experienced, undue influence of body shape and weight on self-evaluation, or persistent lack of recognition of the seriousness of the current low body weight.

Subtypes:

• Restricting type

• Binge-eating/purging type

Recurrent episodes of binge eating. An episode of binge eating is characterized by both of the following:

Eating, in a discrete period of time, an amount of food that is larger than most people would eat during a similar period of time and under similar circumstances.

A sense of lack of control over eating during the episode (e.g. a feeling that one cannot stop eating or control what or how much one is eating).

Recurrent compensatory behavior in order to prevent weight gain, such as self-induced vomiting, misuse of laxatives, diuretics, or other medications, fasting, or excessive exercise.

The binge eating and compensatory behaviors both occur, on average, at least once a week for three months.

Self-evaluation is unduly influenced by body shape and weight.

Recurrent episodes of binge eating. An episode of binge eating is characterized by both of the following:

Eating, in a discrete period of time, an amount of food that is larger than most people would eat during a similar period of time and under similar circumstances.

A sense of lack of control over eating during the episode (e.g. a feeling that one cannot stop eating or control what or how much one is eating).

The binge eating episodes are associated with three or more of the following:

• eating much more rapidly than normal

• eating until feeling uncomfortably full

• eating large amounts of food when not feeling physically hungry

• eating alone because of feeling embarrassed by how much one is eating

• feeling disgusted with oneself, depressed or very guilty afterward

Marked distress regarding binge eating is present

Binge eating occurs, on average, at least once a week for three months

Recurrent episodes of night eating. Eating after awakening from sleep, or by excessive food consumption after the evening meal. The behavior is not better explained by environmental influences or social norms. The behavior causes significant distress/impairment.

ARFID is an eating disorder characterized by avoidance and aversion to food and eating. The restriction is not due to a body image disturbance, but a result of anxiety or phobia of food and/or eating, a heightened sensitivity to sensory aspects of food such as texture, taste or smell, or a lack of interest in food/eating secondary to low appetite. ARFID is more commonly present in childhood and adolescence, however, it can occur in people of any age, gender. Children with ARFID are extremely picky eaters and have little interest in eating food. They eat a limited variety of preferred foods, which can lead to poor growth and poor nutrition.

If you have an eating disorder and are ready for help…

Taking the first step is often the most challenging. It is also one of the most important steps in your journey to recovery. Making the decision to ask for help doesn't have to mean you're ready to change, just that you're willing to look at a different way of living. Speak with someone you trust. Contact a friend, family member, therapist, nutritionist, doctor, or a treatment center (see RESOURCES).

If you know someone with an eating disorder…

Be honest, supportive, and encouraging.

Be a good listener. Your support is needed more than your advice.

Let them know about your concerns and observations.

Let them know you are available and wiling to help.

Do NOT be judgmental or threatening.

Do NOT expect or ask that they can just stop their behaviors.

ANAD (National Association of Anorexia Nervosa & Associated Disorders)

Eating Disorder Referral and Information Center

Gurze Books

National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA)

The International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals Foundation (IAEDP)

Click here for Patient Forms.