Eating Disorder Program Dietary Focus
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Jessica Ward, RD
Director of Nutritional Services
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As I work with women in our eating disorder program, I see them come in so limited in their food choices. Thoughts of food consume large parts of their day and their energy. As they work through the program and their fears, it is truly amazing to watch their transformation. They learn to enjoy food and eating again and rediscover favorite foods. They find a freedom and balance they never realized they could enjoy.
I work closely with clients to assist them in achieving their personal food and nutrition goals. We spend a lot of time together preparing for “real life” eating that will fit their lifestyle when they leave Selah. Whether that means: budgeting and grocery shopping, learning to portion meals and snacks comfortably without measuring, or meal planning and preparation, we work together to build confidence.
Selah’s primary dietary philosophy is based on clients learning to eat intuitively by responding to and getting comfortable with feelings of hunger and fullness. This is done while practicing the principles of variety, balance, and moderation. ~Jessica
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The nutrition approach at Selah House is based on the premise that
ALL FOODS CAN FIT.
No food is labeled bad or good, but all are acceptable in a nutritionally-sound meal plan when including balance, variety, and moderation.
Nutrition Program Highlights
- Supported/supervised group meals facilitate normal social eating and provide a format to address rituals and other Eating Disorder behaviors.
- Healthy habits of fun and fellowship are taught around the table.
- Selah House clients practice “real life” eating during treatment, including intuitive eating. Clients learn to feel comfortable identifying and responding to feelings of hunger and fullness and portioning food for themselves, both with and without measuring tools.
- Weight restoration is accomplished by the use of supplements and snacks; not through radically adjusting the clients’ meal plan. (Many eating disorder programs use feeding tubes and/or rapid weight gain if clients are underweight and then adjust to what normal eating looks like toward the end of treatment.) Tube feeding at Selah House is only used in extrememly rare instances when clients can't consume regular meals or supplements.
- Twice weekly nutritional assessment, education and counseling with the dietitian.
- Meals are prepared at our treatment center by Selah’s dietitian assistants.
- Supervised meal planning and cooking groups.
- Supervised meal challenge outings.
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