NAME THAT SKILL
YOU EAT YOUR SNACK DESPITE NOT FEELING HUNGER/FULLNESS CUES
MECHANICAL EATING
You feel anxious right before starting your meal.
Deep Breathing
“I’m not hungry anymore, so I don’t want to continue eating.”
Mechanical Eating
“I’m feeling full right now, but this feeling won’t last forever.”
You’re having trouble focusing on anything but the meal, and want a fun way to distract yourself/the group.
Table Games
YOU FOCUS ON DESCRIBING FOOD USING OBJECTIVE DETAILS LIKE TEXTURE AND TEMPERATURE
MINDFUL BITES
You’re feeling strong emotions and need to pause.
STOP Skill
“This food is not to my taste preference.”
Meal Neutrality
“Even if I don’t like the taste of a food, I can still eat it. I don’t have to love all my foods.”
You feel overwhelmed by your thoughts and need to reduce focus on the food in front of you.
Conversation
You remind yourself your body needs consistent energy throughout the day.
Food is Fuel
You’re feeling an urge to engage in an ED behavior.
Opposite Action
“With this eating pace, I’ll never finish my snack.”
Time Checks
“I might need some extra time to complete my snack today, and that is okay.”
You’re feeling strong emotions and want to use a DBT Distress Tolerance skill to help ground you.
Ice Pack
You approach eating with curiosity.
Beginner’s Mind
You’re judging the way your meal appears on the plate.
Stomach Has No Eyes
“I already engaged in an ED behavior today, so the rest of the day is ruined.”
Check the facts
“I might be feeling increased levels of distress, but I can use skills to turn this day around.”
You’re delaying your first bite and need some peer support.
Group Bite
You stay mentally present at the meal and focus on the meal in front of you.
Meal Island
You’re getting caught in negative or distorted thinking about the meal.
Check the Facts
“I want to eat my meal in the ‘right’ order.”
Round Robin
“My eating disorder wants me to eat my meal in a certain order. I can choose whether or not I listen.”
Your eating pace is not aligned with others.
Pace with Staff