Body Functions
What is one way your body may have adapted to protect you during restriction?
What is slowing metabolism, absent periods, numbing hunger/fullness, increased sensitivity to cold, decline in immune function, etc.
Discussion: How might the body’s adaptive responses during periods of restriction impact your physical and emotional well-being in both the short term and long term?
This hormone, responsible for regulating hunger and energy balance, can be disrupted during periods of restriction or disordered eating.
What is grehlin?
These types of trendy eating patterns may seem “healthy” or “disciplined” to society, but can actually lead to nutrient imbalances, stress around food, and interfere with recovery.
What is fad diets?
This nutrient supports hormone production, brain health, and helps the body absorb certain vitamins.
What is dietary fats.
Myth or Fact: Skipping meals or snacks here and there won't impact recovery.
What is Myth
How can consistently nourishing your body throughout the day help support recovery, and why is it important to avoid gaps in eating even during tough moments?
Even occasional meal skipping can interfere with recovery. Your body needs consistent nourishment to heal, regulate hormones, and restore metabolism. Skipping meals can trigger old patterns, slow progress, and send the body back into “survival mode.” Regular eating supports both physical and emotional healing.
This process refers to your body’s attempt to regain balance after long periods of restriction or disordered eating.
What is homeostasis?
This hormone, often elevated in individuals with eating disorders, is linked to stress and can affect sleep and appetite regulation.
What is cortisol?
Discussion: How can prolonged stress and increased levels of this hormone impact your overall well-being? What are some approaches that might help manage stress?
This oversimplified view of eating overlooks how meals can provide connection, comfort, identity, and tradition.
What is "food is fuel?"
What are some meaningful roles food has played in your life beyond physical nourishment?
This nutrient is required for the formation of red blood cells, and its deficiency can lead to fatigue and weakness.
What is iron?
Myth or Fact: You can't be malnourished if your labs look "normal."
What is Myth
Normal lab results don’t always reflect the full extent of malnutrition. Malnutrition can affect your body in ways that labs might not detect, especially in cases of chronic or subtle nutrient deficiencies. Your body can still be struggling even if tests appear fine, as many symptoms of malnutrition show up in physical or mental health, not just blood work. It's important to consider the whole picture, including how you feel and other signs of health, not just lab results.
This part of the body helps filter waste and balance fluids, and can be impacted by dehydration.
What is kidneys?
Discussion: How does hydration support physical recovery during eating disorder recovery?
This hormone plays a role in regulating blood sugar and energy use, and it helps prevent hypoglycemia when eating more regularly.
What is insulin?
True or False: Protein is the brain's preferred energy source.
What is false - Carbohydrates are the body's and brain's preferred energy source!
Name three reasons consistent meals and snacks are important in recovery.
What is to stabilize energy, mood, or hunger cues?
Myth or Fact: Your metabolism is permanently damaged after an eating disorder.
What is Myth
The body has a strong ability to heal and adapt, and with consistent nourishment, metabolism can recover over time.
What happens to your temperature, digestion, and energy when your body senses starvation?
What is, it conserves energy by making you feel cold, slowing down digestion (which can lead to constipation), and reducing overall energy, all as protective measures.
This hormone, which plays a key role in sexual development and function, can be significantly impacted by nutritional deficiencies or chronic stress, potentially leading to disruptions in fertility and reproductive cycles.
What is estrogen (or testosterone)?
This eating pattern is often praised for its ability to “reset” the body and improve focus, but, having predetermined eating windows can lead to an unhealthy relationship with food and disrupt "normal" eating patterns.
What is intermittent fasting?
Discussion: How might intermittent fasting interfere with developing a more flexible, intuitive relationship with food, and why can it be particularly challenging for individuals in recovery from eating disorders?
Name four fat soluble vitamins
What is vitamin A, D, E, K
Myth or Fact: Food can impact how you feel even if you’re eating “enough.”
What is fact? Ex: quality, timing, and balance all can influence mood and cognition.
Why might you feel more tired as you start eating more regularly?
What is, because as you start eating more regularly your body is finally feeling safe enough to rest and use energy to heal and recover.
This hormone, produced primarily during periods of fasting or undernourishment, signals the body to conserve energy and slow down processes like metabolism and reproduction.
What is leptin?
While many believe this vitamin can only be found in citrus fruits, it is also present in a variety of vegetables, potatoes, and even in some animal products, playing a role in collagen production and immune health.
What is vitamin C?
What are the six essential nutrients?
What is fats, carbs, protein, mineral, vitamins, and water.
Myth or Fact: This popular diet plan has been shown to reduce seizures in some children but has not been proven safe for long-term use in the general population.
What is the ketogenic diet?
Why is it important to recognize the difference between therapeutic uses of diets and general dietary trends or fads? How can we approach diet plans with a critical eye?