The Vital Role of Dietitians in Interdisciplinary Eating Disorder Treatment Teams

*This post was contributed by our friends at Side by Side Nutrition

Nourishing Hope: The Integral Role of Dietitians in Eating Disorder Recovery

Eating disorders are complex mental health conditions that deeply impact both emotional and physical well-being. They’re influenced by a range of factors, including genetics, personality traits, environmental influences, and malnutrition. Because of their complexity, a team approach to treatment is recommended. Initially, many people start their recovery journey with only a therapist and medical doctor. However, another essential member of the treatment team is often overlooked: the dietitian.

Revisiting the Role of a Dietitian

Adding a dietitian to your treatment team might seem daunting. Historically, dietitians have been viewed as the “food police,” often perceived as more focused on dictating dietary rules than understanding individual needs. You might have previously worked with a dietitian who encouraged you to face your food fears, which can be intimidating. There are so many reasons why you might hesitate to bring a nutrition specialist into your team. However, dietitians who specialize in eating disorders are trained to support your recovery with a compassionate and personalized approach. They play a key role in tackling the disordered eating behaviors and deep-seated beliefs that drive the disorder.

Expertise and Efficacy in Therapy

Dietitians bring an extensive knowledge of nutrition science to the treatment table. They are experts in spotting and addressing malnutrition and other nutritional issues common in those with eating disorders. Dietitians work collaboratively with clients to create flexible meal plans that improve both medical stability and nutritional status. Improving physical health is beneficial on its own, but it also makes therapy more effective. Both the brain and body need adequate nutrition to fully participate in therapy. With adequate nutrition, it becomes easier to learn and use new therapy skills.

Addressing Myths and Misconceptions

People with eating disorders might have harmful and deeply ingrained beliefs about food and their bodies, influenced by diet culture. This culture promotes restrictive eating habits, like calorie counting or eliminating entire food groups, and often spreads false information about the impact of certain foods and eating patterns on health. The rise of social media has only accelerated the spread of this misinformation, leading to more confusion and problematic relationships with food.

Dietitians work to counter these beliefs by providing evidence-based nutrition education and explaining the risks associated with dietary restrictions and strict food rules. This re-education is

vital for long-term recovery, helping individuals improve their relationship with food and reconnect with their intuition, which has often been overshadowed by diet culture.

Collaboration with Therapists

Dietitians play a supportive role in the therapy process, collaborating closely with therapists to merge nutritional therapy with psychological treatment goals. They work with therapists to pinpoint the emotional triggers of disordered eating behaviors and help clients develop healthier coping mechanisms. Dietitians also keep therapists updated on their clients’ nutritional needs and progress, enabling more tailored support during therapy sessions. By joining forces to help clients heal physically, improve their relationship with food, and tackle the root causes of their eating disorders, dietitians and therapists together can greatly enhance the effectiveness of treatment.

Monitoring and Progress

Regular monitoring is a key part of the recovery process, with dietitians taking a leading role. They assess nutritional status and adjust meal plans to support recovery goals. This proactive approach allows for timely modifications of treatment plans and helps identify potential relapses early. Dietitians also spot patterns that clients might not notice, such as relying on “safe” foods. They can help clients gradually introduce new foods, offering techniques to try foods outside of their comfort zone in manageable ways. Over time, this can reduce the anxiety associated with “fear foods” and moves clients one step closer to more peaceful relationships with food.

For parents or loved ones, working with a dietitian provides an opportunity to step back from closely monitoring their loved one’s eating habits. This change lets them focus on providing emotional support instead of monitoring food intake.

A Compassionate Approach

One of the key strengths of dietitians who are trained in treating eating disorders is their compassionate approach. They understand that food is more than just nutrition–it’s deeply intertwined with cultural, social, and personal factors. Dietitians focus on connecting with clients as individuals, not just on their dietary needs. Their compassionate approach considers the complex variety of experiences that contribute to the eating disorder and affect the client’s perspective of recovery. Dietitians strive to make the recovery process respectful and inclusive, taking into account each person’s lifestyle, food preferences, and personal experiences.

The Road to Recovery

The road to eating disorder recovery from an eating disorder is often long and winding. As part of an multidisciplinary team, a dietitian provides expertise and compassionate support to help navigate this difficult path. Their role extends beyond just making meal plans and nutrition education—it's about empowering individuals to make lasting changes that improve both their

physical health and mental well-being. Including a dietitian in the treatment team ensures a holistic approach that greatly improves the chances of a successful and enduring recovery.

Resources consulted:

Yang, Y., Conti, J., McMaster, C. M., Piya, M. K., & Hay, P. (2023). "I Need Someone to Help Me Build Up My Strength": A Meta-Synthesis of Lived Experience Perspectives on the Role and Value of a Dietitian in Eating Disorder Treatment. Behavioral sciences (Basel, Switzerland), 13(11), 944. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs13110944

Hackert, A. N., Kniskern, M. A., & Beasley, T. M. (2020). Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: Revised 2020 Standards of Practice and Standards of Professional Performance for Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (Competent, Proficient, and Expert) in Eating Disorders. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 120(11), 1902–1919.e54.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jand.2020.07.014