diet and health

Diet for Anorexia Nervosa

Nervous anorexia

Anorexia nervosa is a eating behavior disorder (DCA), characterized by: underweight, fear of gaining weight, a strong desire to lose weight and food restriction.

Among the most indicative behaviors, in anorexic subjects an obsession with the balance is recognized, the tendency to eat alone, the consumption of small quantities of food and the exclusive choice of low-calorie foods. Depending on the case, purgation methods may also occur, such as self-induced vomiting, the use of laxatives and excessive physical activity.

The causes are unknown and it is assumed that the pathological mechanism affects the socio-cultural and psychological sphere; psychiatric comorbidities such as anxiety, depression and obsessive compulsive syndrome are not uncommon.

The organic complications related to anorexia nervosa may include: severe and underweight malnutrition (always <18.5 BMI), amenorrhea, osteoporosis, infertility and heart damage.

The treatment for anorexia nervosa is very complex and involves the multidisciplinary intervention of: psychiatrist, psychologist, internist and dietician.

Dietary implications

The diet for anorexia nervosa is NOT aimed at recovering from the mental disorder, but it is still a necessary aspect for the survival of the subject. In particular, diet plays an essential role as:

  • Body support: prevents the onset of metabolic complications.
  • Food education: helps the patient to restore a healthy relationship with food

However, it should be remembered that diet compliance in eating disorders is very low, especially in anorexia nervosa.

In fact, anorexics believe they can live better by excluding food from their existence and do not realize the consequences of similar behavior.

The anorexic tends to avoid any external attempt (doctors, family and friends) to increase the amount of food in his diet, sometimes isolating himself from meals or hiding foods.

This is why the nutritional aspect must be taken care of in detail; the food sources of an anorexic are very few, which is why it is important that they contain as many nutrients as possible.

The diet for anorexia is always characterized by simple, unprocessed foods, almost always sparse and NEVER "junk".

Characteristics of the Diet

WARNING! Anorexia nervosa is NOT a condition that can be treated independently; it is recommended to consult specialists in the treatment of eating disorders, relying on specialized facilities (when necessary).

The diet for anorexia nervosa must have some fundamental characteristics, which affect the nutritional, organic, psychological-educational and behavioral sphere.

The table below summarizes some of the key points for the diet of the anorexic subject.

NUTRITIONAL CHARACTERISTICS

EDUCATIONAL FEATURES

Caloric intake as close as possible to the normal, without too many pretensions!

The diet for anorexia must oppose a total refusal to eat, which is why, sometimes, only one spoonful of soup is a great achievement.

Try to eat with friends .

Conviviality is a preventive factor towards anorexia nervosa. Furthermore, by doing so, the anorexic cannot hide food or practice self-induced vomiting. It is a very difficult correction to implement because, often, the subject feels a strong shame or fear of eating in front of others.

Meal splitting into very small and digestible portions .

The anorexic's stomach is often of reduced size and functionality. Assuming that the subject agrees to eat, it would be useful if he did not experience negative feelings of gastric fullness or digestive difficulty.

Food must be cooked naturally (boiled, steamed, etc.) and with little added fat.

Foods in liquid form (semolina, vegetable soups, etc.) are useful.

Non-aggressive attitude .

The meal must be offered gently, without impositions that could trigger an instant refusal.

On the other hand, anorexics often have a difficult temperament to manage. Here the experience of health technicians comes into play.

Richness of essential nutrients .

Although poor, the diet for anorexia must be as rich as possible with essential nutrients. Among these: vitamins, mineral salts, amino acids and fatty acids.

Gradual insertion of foods . Often, initially it is more profitable to let the anorexic choose which foods to eat.

It is advisable to start with the foods you like or "allow" from their diet and determine together what to add in the future.

Variety .

Alternating foods and trying to choose at least one food for each fundamental group is an aspect that, in the long term, favors the coverage of various nutritional needs.

Customization .

The diet for anorexia nervosa must be 100% personalized.

Each case is in its own right, which is why there are no highly specific guidelines.

When possible, the diet for anorexia nervosa must include a dietary supplement plan . Some products, such as amino acids in liquid form, salts and vitamins (in soups, in semolina, etc.), can be added to foods.