Anorexia/Eating Disorders/How much to eat?

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Expert: Jeanne Rust, PhD - 11/3/2009


Question
I have been in the "recovery" phase of anorexia for many months now, but just recently decided to finally let myself eat until satisfied.  The problem is that I can NEVER seem to get satisfied.  I can eat upwards of 4 to 5 thousand calories a day, and have to keep up an almost constant intake in order to feel satisfied and be able to think about something other than being hungry.  The times when I dont feel hungry are GREAT so I'm determined to recover, but I also feel like this can't be good for me.  I read so much about portion control and training your mind to think in terms of "normal" portions.  Do you have any advice?  Do I let myself eat until I'm satisfied, or do I attempt to stick to what a "normal" meal pattern would look like?  Currently I'm at 5'5 and about 95 lbs.

Answer

Jeannie Rust, PhD
Dear Tara,

Thank you so much for writing!  It's wonderful that you're in the recovery phase right now.  Are you working with a therapist?  Are you seeing a dietitian?  You could very easily be hypoglycemic and blood sugar problems.  This is something your doctor needs to check out for you.  

Your dietitian can give you a meal plan that is designed specifically for you.  You should have a slow weight gain -- 1-2 pounds a week.  This way you'll be able to keep up with the weight gain psychologically.  If you eat three normal meals daily as well as 3 snacks daily, you'll level out your blood sugar and also not be starved all the time.  Make sure that you're not eating lots and lots of carbs and that you have protein at each meal and snack.  This will help quite a lot!

Please let me know how you do!!

Warmly,
Jeannie Rust, PhD
CEO/Owner
www.mirasol.net
www.edrecovery.com
888-520-1700

Jeanne Rust, PhD

Expertise

I have been treating eating disorders for over 25 years and I have a doctorate in clinical psychology. I am an expert in anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorders and in co-occurring disorders as well -- depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, etc. I was the official eating disorder therapist for the University of Arizona athletic department and love working with girls and women of all ages! 12 years ago I started my own treatment centers in Arizona where we treat adolescents and adults. I love working with people and have been helping people online since 1994. My hearts go out to the people out there who are unable to find help, who aren't sure whether they need help, and who don't have much of an understanding of the terrible consequences, emotionally and physically, that go hand in hand with the eating disorder. I view eating disorders as coping mechanisms that people use when they are under stress. I believe that eating disorders most times have many similarities whether it is anorexia, bulimia, or binge eating. The good news is that people can heal from an eating disorder and learn to create the lives they would like to live.

Experience

I have 25 years of experience in treating eating disorders of all kinds. I also do consultations for people who are starting treatment centers.

Education/Credentials
Northwestern University -- BA Masters in Counseling Doctorate in Clinical Psychology -- Saybrook institute

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