Issue 7: Supporting Clients With Eating Disorders Through the Holidays

How to support clients/patients who have eating disorders during the holiday season

Hello!

Welcome back to another issue of our therapist & allied professional newsletter!

As the year draws to a close, we want to acknowledge the resilience, compassion, and dedication you bring to your practice each day. Supporting individuals with eating disorders is meaningful and often challenging, and the holiday season can intensify those challenges for many clients. 

To help you guide them through this season with greater confidence and clarity, we’re sharing practical, evidence-informed strategies adapted from this fantastic blog post by Psychologist Adele Fox: 

https://www.healthstandnutrition.com/survive-holidays-with-eating-disorder/

This time of year can be extra challenging because of the focus placed on food during the holidays. There is often an excess of food around, including lots of soulful, different, and fun options too. 

On top of that, we are bombarded by constant weight loss advertisements, social media’s recent focus on GLP-1 medications, and the resurgence of body trends centred on very small-bodied ideals. This combination can make what could be the most joyful time of the year feel like a personal nightmare for individuals with an eating disorder.

Practical tips to help individuals with an eating disorder navigate the holiday season:

Here are some practical tips to help you thrive through the holiday season as a person with an eating disorder:

1. Plan food in advance as much as possible. Knowing approximate eating times and what will be consumed helps to create predictability and minimize stressful in-the-moment food decisions.
2. If attending a function where you can bring food, consider bringing a few of your own safe food options. This allows participation in the event without the additional pressure of challenging new foods at the same time.
3. Eat regularly. Most people will need to eat three meals and two to three snacks daily, or to follow the meal routine set up by their treatment team.
4. Do not undereat before or after a holiday meal or event. Restricting often leads to increased stress and H-anxiety (so hungry you feel more anxious) and a rise in eating disorder behaviours.
5. Don’t feel pressure to challenge everything right now. If you are working on new food or food environments during this season, plan for them as you would at any other time of the year. Who will support you? When will it happen? What coping strategies will you use after?
6. Build in time to relax and recharge. Holiday demands like events, family time, gift exchanges, and social visits can be draining. Block off time for yourself in the middle of all of this and say yes only to what you can manage or truly need to attend.
7. Have an exit strategy. If things become overwhelming and you need to step away, plan a few scripts you can use. If possible, arrange for a support person to be present.
8. Limit alcohol intake.  Alcohol can increase eating disorder behaviours and make emotional regulation more difficult.
9. Prioritize non-food joy! Try to step back to notice moments of connection, comfort, and joy in the moment (that have nothing to do with food.)

 If you are a loved one supporting someone with an ED during the holidays: 

1. Avoid talking about diets, weight, and food. Even comments meant to be harmless, complimentary, or helpful can be triggering. Keep conversations neutral and focused on other topics.
2. Redirect conversions if others bring up food, bodies, weight, or health-focused topics. Step in gently and shift the focus when needed. Ask your loved one how you can support them through these times and build a plan together.  
3. If you are serving the food, plan to serve/plate from one area (such as the kitchen.) Keeping less food on the dining table where you are eating can help reduce overwhelm.
4. Take the focus OFF food whenever possible. Plan non-food-related activities like making a snowman, playing cards, board games, or watching a favourite holiday movie together.

Even if you don’t have an eating disorder or are not supporting someone who does, you may still find many of these tips helpful during the holidays.

If you try any of these strategies, or if you have others to add, please let us know! We would love to know what works in your home.

Thank you for joining us for this issue of Nutrition for Mental Health. We always value your perspective. Feel free to reply with any thoughts, questions, or experiences you’d like to share

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