Binge Eating Disorder Dietitians and Nutritionists
Do you or a loved one struggle with the “restrict/binge” cycle? Does it feel like you or a loved one use food to cope with difficult emotions? Have you tried dieting or limiting certain foods only to “overeat” them later?
Binge eating disorder or BED is the most common eating disorder. Like all mental health struggles, it can feel overwhelming to find support. There is often shame associated with BED, which makes it all the more difficult to ask for help. Courage to Nourish supports clients who are struggling with binge eating disorder through nutrition therapy and counseling. Our highly skilled clinicians understand the nuances associated with binge eating disorder treatment and can provide compassionate care and gentle guidance toward recovery.
What is Binge Eating Disorder?
People with BED often struggle with feeling out of control around food, continuing to eat even when feeling full, often eating rapidly and/or frequently dieting. Those with BED feel shameful and guilty about their eating behaviors.
BED is often misunderstood and stigmatized. In our culture, individuals are often judged for eating “too much,” for gaining weight, or even for “failing” at diets. People with eating disorders, especially those with BED, feel judgment from peers, family and even their health care providers. They are often told they should “just stop eating” or to just cut out certain foods. However, what we actually know is that dieting, demonizing foods, and restricting contributes to binge eating. In order to prevent BED, it’s important for individuals to adequately fuel, eat a variety of foods, improve their relationship with food and body and also discuss underlying causes in therapy.
How We Help Treat Binge Eating Disorder
At Courage to Nourish, our dietitians work one on one with our clients and their treatment team to improve BED thoughts, urges and behaviors. We value trusting and compassionate relationships between our dietitians and clients. We value safety and a non-judgmental space so our clients are able to process their relationship with food and body in a way that is met with understanding and empathy. Not only do we work with you or your loved one in individual sessions, but we also collaborate with various members of the treatment team. We also provide text and email support and keep our caseloads small. This can assure you are getting the highest quality of care.
To treat binge eating disorder, we work with our clients to implement consistency with eating, adequate nutrition, and satisfying foods. We believe that all foods, even “binge foods,” can be consumed during the treatment of BED. We work with our clients to confidently incorporate their binge foods back into their meals and snacks . Remember, dieting and restricting contributes to BED. In addition to the behavior changes, we also have discussions about a person’s relationship with food.
Typical Clients We Work With
Families
College Aged and Young Adult
Teens & Adolescents
Pregnant Individuals
Athletes
Adults
FAQs About Binge Eating Disorder
How do I know if I have Binge Eating Disorder?
If you find that you are struggling with your relationship with food, body or exercise in ANY capacity, please note that you absolutely deserve space and time to heal, regardless of the symptoms you’re experiencing. If you suspect you or a loved one has BED, please take our quiz.
How long does it take to treat Binge Eating Disorder?
Treating an eating disorder takes time! Most of the clients we see are “long term” clients who we work with on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. It is difficult to set a time frame, but it’s not uncommon for clients to meet with us on a weekly basis for at least 6 months. If you feel like your healing journey is taking “too long,” just remember that recovery is not linear. It’s normal to have ups and downs.
Will I need to follow a meal plan?
That is up to you! While we can support you in creating a meal plan that meets your needs, we also recognize that meal plans aren’t helpful tools for everyone. We would never want you to feel like you are on a diet or enabling your eating disorder.
How can I help a loved one with Binge Eating Disorder?
Supporting a loved one with an eating disorder, including BED, can be so difficult. As loved ones, we often want to “fix it.” But, recovery takes time and there’s not much we can do other than offering a listening ear and a non-judgemental space. Read our blog on Supporting a Loved One with an Eating Disorder. Also, visit our resources page and sign up for our newsletter to get more tips on how to support your loved one.
How can I find support for Binge Eating Disorder?
Courage to Nourish is happy to help. Contact us for more information about working with us. We provide both virtual and in person services. If for some reason we are unable to support you, we would be glad to refer you to other resources. You can also read our blog and resources page for more ideas and support on eating disorder recovery.
Have more questions?
Visit our Treatment FAQ page.
Service Locations
IN-PERSON APPOINTMENTS
VIRTUAL APPOINTMENTS
About Courage to Nourish
Courage to Nourish is a group of eating disorder specialized dietitians. We have in person locations in Alexandria, Virginia, Columbia, Maryland, and College Park, Maryland. We offer virtual services across the state of Maryland. Virginia, Washington DC, Pennsylvania, and Colorado. We offer individual nutrition therapy. As well as support groups. We would love to guide you in building a better relationship with food.
Interested in finding out more?
Tell us more about how we can help you.
