Meal Support
Finding out that your loved one has an eating disorder can leave a caregiver feeling frightened and overwhelmed. One of the most challenging and important tasks for a caregiver is to provide meal support for their loved one. Caregivers are often met with a high degree of resistance from their loved one during mealtime which can leave them feeling frustrated or “stuck.” While this task is by no means an easy one, many caregivers have found the information and meal support strategies in the following resources to be very helpful.
For one-on-one moral support, a cheerleading squad or some sage advice from other caregivers who “have been there,” a warm welcome will be found on either of the F.E.A.S.T. Caregiver Forums.
On the F.E.A.S.T. site:
How can I get my child to eat? blog post by Eva Musby
Videos:
Eating disorders meal support, from Kelty Mental Health
When Your Child Refuses to Eat, from Kelty Mental Health
Stuck & not eating! Anorexia/ eating disorders: parents’ meal support tips, from Eva Musby
Setting up the eating environment in FBT, from Dr. Lauren Mulheim
Understanding and Coping with your Kid’s Meal Anxiety, from Dr. Lauren Mulheim
Meal Support Strategies, from Dr. Lauren Mulheim
Exposure to Fear Foods, from Dr. Lauren Mulheim
FBT Tips for Preventing Purging, from Dr. Lauren Mulheim
Documents:
Meal Support at a glance, from Kelty Eating Disorders
Resources available in multiple languages:
Kelty Eating Disorders Meal Support
From the F.E.A.S.T. Caregiver Forums
The super-resistors: when LSUYE and Magic Plate cause total shut down
Unbelievable progress! Keep going!!!
Around the Dinner Table Facebook Forum
Books
Anorexia and Other Eating Disorders: How to Help Your Child Eat Well and be Well, by Eva Musby
Special thanks to F.E.A.S.T. volunteer, L.H.