Eating Disorder Recovery in Athletes
Medical Nutrition Therapy for Athletes Struggling with Anorexia, Bulimia, Orthorexia, ARFID, Disordered Eating, and Other Eating Disorders
What are eating disorders in athletes?
Eating disorders can look different in the athletic population largely due to the extra physical demands and performance requirements of the sport. Because athletes are influencing the energy availability balance differently than the less active individuals, they have different nutrition requirements regardless if there is an eating disorder/disordered eating present.
Do athletes have a higher rate of eating disorders?
Yes, the athletic population does have an increased risk of developing an eating disorder due to certain vulnerabilities such as…
- Extra focus on the body as a vehicle for performance
- Extra focus on food to fuel the body
- Participating in a sport that is appearance-oriented
- Drive to be “perfect” and “disciplined”
- Poor coaching styles that are preoccupied with leanness
What sport is most likely to have an eating disorder?
Eating disorders can affect anyone and all athletes. However, research shows an increased risk for those participating in sports that have a focus on aesthetic, weight, and leanness. Some examples would be (but not limited to) dance, gymnastics, wrestling, swimming, endurance sports, bodybuilding, rowing, and so forth.
How to Prevent Eating Disorders in Athletes?
Preventing eating disorders in athletes requires a collaborative effort between coaches, families, and athletes themselves. Here are some tips for coaches and families:
For Coaches:
- Promote a body positive image
- Provide education
- Monitor training load
- Create a supportive environment
- Lead by example
For Families:
- Encourage balanced eating
- Promote body positivity
- Be attentive to changes (in your child’s weight, behaviors around food, and eating habits).
- Communicate
It is important to note that an individual who has dedicated themselves to a sport generally will take on the identity of an athlete. Therefore, athletes often strongly care about their body as a vehicle for their performance.
If you believe you or someone you love is struggling with an eating disorder, seek professional support from a qualified healthcare professional, including a registered dietitian and mental health counselor.
Our athletes are met with compassion to help find a balance with their health and performance. We provide online and in-person outpatient nutrition therapy. We believe recovery is possible.
Treatment for Eating Disorders and/or Disordered Eating in Athletes
We provide eating disorder care for everyBODY.
A dietitian nutritionist is a fundamental piece of your recovery team. As expert eating disorder dietitians in the St. Louis area, we work with patients to guide them toward healing their relationship with food and body. We offer virtual nutrition counseling, or face-to-face appointments in our Illinois and Missouri offices.
Here’s what you can expect:
Assessment and Individualized Planning
We assess your diet, eating behaviors, and triggers. Many with bulimia nervosa have nutrient deficiencies because of inadequate intake of food or purging behaviors. Medical Nutrition Therapy can help address these deficiencies through individualized diet plans and, if necessary, supplementation.
Normalization of Eating Patterns
One of the primary goals is to establish regular and balanced eating patterns. This may involve structured meal plans with adequate energy intake to support physical health and recovery.
Nutritional Education
Nutrition education is a big part of our recovery program. Teaching about healthy eating habits and the role of different nutrients in the body is crucial. This can help you develop a better understanding of your nutritional needs and fosters a positive relationship with food. Food is neither an enemy or a reward. It simply is.
Ongoing Support
Ongoing support is essential throughout the treatment process. This may include regular check-ins with your ED dietitian to track progress, address challenges, and make any necessary adjustments to the nutrition plan. We recommend our ongoing recovery coaching
Meal Planning and Food Challenges
For anyone struggling with bulimia, meals, grocery shopping, and food can be overwhelming. Meal planning and exposure to feared foods or situations are often incorporated into treatment to help you overcome restrictive or binge-purge behaviors and develop a more flexible and balanced approach to eating.
Collaboration with Other Treatment Providers
We work closely with your interdisciplinary team of therapists, psychiatrists, and other members of the treatment team to ensure a coordinated approach to care. This may involve sharing progress reports, coordinating interventions, and addressing any underlying psychological issues that contribute to disordered eating behaviors.
Our goal is to help you restore your relationship with food and body, develop sustainable habits, and support you through your recovery process.
Branz Nutrition’s Treatments for Eating Disorders in Athletes
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.
Arizona | Arkansas | California | Colorado | Delaware | Florida | Georgia | Illinois | Missouri | New York | Texas | Virginia
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.
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.
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)
Branz Nutrition in the Media
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