In Adolescence – Teens

Get Help and Experience Recovery from Teen Anorexia with Registered Dietitians in the St. Louis Area

Signs of Anorexia in Teens

Signs and symptoms may include but not limited to:

Significant weight loss or failure to gain weight during periods of growth.
Preoccupation or dissatisfaction with body image.
Calorie counting or dieting.
Avoiding meals or making excuses to skip meals.
Withdrawal from social situations involving food or eating alone often.
Excessive exercise even when sick or injured.
Food rituals such as cutting things into tiny pieces or pushing food around.
Feeling cold, dizzy, fainting, irregular menstruation in females is a significant red flag.

What causes anorexia in teens? (Risk factors)

Certain factors include genetics such as parents having a history of an eating disorder or untreated disordered eating (constantly dieting/obsessed about appearance/weight, etc.), trauma, perfectionism and societal pressures of thin = health!

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Outpatient Treatment and Nutrition Therapy for Anorexia in Teens:

Treatment for anorexia in teens is tailored to each individual’s needs. We collaborate closely with parents and caregivers to establish a home-based treatment environment, providing meal plans and techniques to reduce eating disorder behaviors. Please note that if we determine outpatient care is insufficient for the teen’s progress, we may recommend a higher level of care. While we can offer professional guidance, the implementation of the treatment ultimately depends on you.

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Family-Based Treatment with Registered Dietitian Nutritionists:

A dietitian’s role is crucial in ensuring the success of FBT by providing the necessary dietary guidance and support for both the patient and their family. A dietitian provides specialized knowledge about nutrition offering tailored plans to the individual needs while designing meal plans that ensure adequate calorie intake and nutrient balance. Our role in FBT includes educating the families about how proper nutrition plays an impact on one’s eating disorder recovery. We collaborate with therapists and other healthcare providers to provide a comprehensive treatment approach.

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Does insurance cover nutrition therapy for anorexia?

We are in-network with many insurance companies. Insurance-based nutrition counseling is based on your insurance provider’s approval and specific insurance plan. We can only provide services based on what they allow, following their specific guidelines. Such perimeters include:

Limitations in visits
Requiring a certain amount of time in between appointments
No additional support between appointments
Check your medical nutrition therapy benefits here.

While nutritional counseling can be beneficial for various conditions, we find that, specifically for those suffering from disordered eating, continuous support and ongoing accountability is the game changer in achieving recovery.

We believe that full recovery is possible with the right support and treatment. We look forward to being part of your healing process.

Schedule with a Dietitian

Our Team of Dietitian Nutritionists in the Greater St. Louis Area

Branz Nutrition Counseling is a team of certified eating disorder dietitians who provide compassionate care to those struggling with their relationship to food. Our approach is weight-inclusive, LGBTQIA+, and social justice-oriented, which means that we believe that everyone deserves access to quality care.

We can’t wait to meet you!

With locations in Illinois and Missouri, we offer both virtual and in-person counseling sessions. And, we are licensed to provide Telehealth nutrition therapy to patients around the country.

We see clients in person in the St. Louis area, Missouri, Illinois, and from around the country via Telehealth. Learn more here.

We help individuals and families heal their relationships with food and body through compassionate, weight-inclusive care—supporting eating disorder recovery and managing chronic conditions like PCOS, diabetes, and heart disease using Intuitive Eating and Health at Every Size principles.

Gwendoline Balto

MS, RDN, LDN

Registered Dietitian
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Brianna Becherer

MS, RDN, LDN, CPT

Registered Dietitian
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Laura Bradfield

RDN, LDN

Registered Dietitian
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Kelly Houston

MS, RDN, LDN, CLC

Registered Dietitian
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Michelle Wilson

MS, RDN, LDN, CEDS-C, CIEC

Registered Dietitian
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Erica Branz

MS, RDN, LDN, CEDS

Founder and Registered Dietitian
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Scroll to see the whole team.

How It Works – An Easy Three-Step Process to Get You on the Road to Recovery

Make An Appointment

What service do you need? We offer a range of appointments of different durations to best fit your needs.

Meet with your Personal Dietitian

Be paired with the dietitian nutritionist on our team and get continued support with one of our online groups. One-on-one counseling, in-person, or virtual. WE TAKE INSURANCE!

Take Control of Your Life

Heal your relationship with food and your body. Choose the best foods for your unique needs. Get the tools you need to live a healthy life. Receive continued support.

Schedule for Missouri Residents

Schedule for Illinois Residents

Note: In order to secure a spot on a dietitian’s schedule, we need a valid payment method on file.

Our Testimonials

Thank you for choosing us as the Best Dietitian Practice in STL (2023)

There have been times where my daughter will eat 4 bowls of carrots and turn down a cookie, and there have been times where she will want all the fruit snacks and nothing else, but it doesn’t stress me out because I know now that it’s just what her body wants in the moment. The information provided in your course not only helps my kids, but also opened my eyes to some of my own internal struggles around sugar and meal times!"
My sister Gifted this program to me and I'm so glad she did! I've already gotten so much out of watching the modules and reading the PDFs."
Understanding and implementing the Division of Responsibility in Feeding really takes the pressure off meal times. I love sitting down to enjoy dinner with my family and I hope it’s a memory my kids enjoy when they’re older too."
Also, againg, thank you for being so kind to "A". She usually does not like seeing "doctor like people", but she actually enjoys coming to see you, so that says a lot.
by Mother of a Patient, Saint Louis, MO
I can't thank you enough for all you have done for us. I know we will continue to deal with food issues but at least I see hope. I honestly don't know how L(or myself) could have got through the past year without you. You literally are a lifesaver!! You are an amazing dietitian!!.
by Mother of a Patient
Thank you for the caring devoted service and gentle compassion you have shown "S" over the years.
by Mother of a Patient, Saint Louis, MO
I am truly grateful we found you to be he nutritionist. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
by Mother of a Patient, Saint Louis, MO
"For most of my life, I have correlated the size of my body to being loved and accepted. The smaller I am, the more lovable and acceptable I am. Giving up the dieting, the rules, and the noise has given me the freedom to trust, appreciate and accept love from others as well as myself".
by
I truly appreciate the encouragement and hearfelt, genuine concern you have for me. Your counsel and empathy have meant a great deal and helped keep me going during difficult times.
by C, Saint Louis, MO
Thanks for helping me think about food differently and providing guidance regarding how to select carbs. Also, thanks for helping me recognize that the evolution would take several months to come to a 'new normal'.
by E, Saint Louis, MO