Eating Disorders Awareness Week (Part 2)

Eating Disorders
Written By Kalin Herbach
 
 

TRANSFORMING THE NARRATIVE FROM ASKS TO ACTION

Written by Erin Nelson, RD

February 1st through 7th marks Eating Disorders Awareness Week (EDAW) 2023 and the theme this year is Transforming the Narrative from Asks to Action.

If you suspect someone you know may have an eating disorder, here are a few things you may have noticed:

  • Overall, they are eating less than previous or cutting out certain foods or food groups

  • Preoccupation with weight and/or calories and/or dieting 

  • They are more irritable than is typical for them 

  • Loss of interest in activities that used to bring them joy

  • Feeling cold all the time

  • Frequent stomach aches or gastrointestinal disturbances

  • Fatigue, dizziness and/or fainting

  • Heightened anxiety around mealtimes

  • Increasingly rigid food rules that never used to be there 

  • Preoccupation with food such as watching tiktok about meal prep or what I eat in a day, collecting recipes, planning meals for hours a day, etc.

  • This is a small list of things you may notice. You can find the complete list from The National Eating Disorder Information Centre here(3).

Here are some tips to talk to someone you care about:

  • Talk about your feelings and the relationship rather than centering weight and food.

  • Learn a bit about eating disorders so you are informed. There are plenty of free resources available. 

  • Aim to be compassionate and non-judgmental.

  • Ask if they would be open to some support and then, if they agree, help them reach out to a professional that focuses on disordered eating and eating disorders. This can be a family doctor, psychologist, or a registered dietitian. Any one of these professionals will know what next steps to take. 


The team here at TNC is a group of registered dietitians that work every day with people struggling with their relationship with food and body, and we are here to support you in whatever capacity feels the best for you. We continue to offer individual nutrition support to clients here, and you can explore our latest workshops and events here.

NEDIC Information linked in the article:

3 https://nedic.ca/help-for-someone-else/are-you-worried-about-someone-else/

 
 
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Who we are
Who we are

We are compassionate, weight-inclusive dietitians who embrace an anti-oppressive approach and focus on supporting humans through recovery and healing from eating disorders, disordered eating or dieting. We support our clients by creating a safer space for them to tune into their inner wisdom, find compassion for themselves and nourish their bodies. Beyond physical nourishment, we support our clients in nourishing their worth and finding more ease in their lives.

Kalin Herbach
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Eating Disorders Awareness Week 2023 (Part 1)