Making a family food plan

Marcia Herrin, EdD, MPH, RD, LD Nutritionist, shares advice for parents on how putting your family on a healthy food plan can greatly benefit your child if they've been diagnosed with a food disorder
How Family Food Plans Can Help Kids With Eating Disorders
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Making a family food plan

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If your child is being treated for an eating disorder, you're going to be working with someone that's going to be prescribing a family food plan. Either your child is the only one that does it, or the whole family follows the same food plan which is, actually, recommended. It's very simple. There are no foods that are off limits. You have to eat what you're served. Meal should be well-balanced with good protein and carb, maybe a veggie, milk to drink, and a dessert. Snacks are organized. We actually think this is really good advice for every family in preventing an eating disorder. Organize meals that aren't non-fat. Organize meals that have protein and included dessert. Having a dessert with a meal is very protective against having an eating disorder. Desserts are foods that get feeling nice in our culture. I call them fun foods, and they should be at the end of lunch and dinner. Having that as part of a meal, instead of a snack, really helps prevent binge eating. So an organized family food plan is basically 3 well balanced meals a day and 0-3 snacks that are organized, but they can really be anything. You know, it's a wonderful way to eat. It's a great way to maintain a healthy weight. It's a great way to prevent an eating disorder. Highly recommended.

Marcia Herrin, EdD, MPH, RD, LD Nutritionist, shares advice for parents on how putting your family on a healthy food plan can greatly benefit your child if they've been diagnosed with a food disorder

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Marcia Herrin, EdD, MPH, RD, LD

Nutritionist

Marcia Herrin, EdD, MPH, RD, is the founder of Dartmouth College’s nationally renowned nutrition programs. Currently, Dr. Herrin conducts a private practice in Lebanon, New Hampshire. Marcia received her doctorate in nutrition education from Columbia University. At the University of California-Berkeley, she received her master’s degree and completed a dietetic internship. More recently, Marcia has completed two trainings with James Lock and Daniel le Grange in Family-Based Treatment (Maudsley). She also is certified in Childhood, Adolescent, and Adult Weight Management. Besides a fulltime counseling practice, Marcia has written three books and is working on her fourth. The Parent’s Guide to Eating Disorders tells parents everything they need to know about eating disorders. Nutrition Counseling in the Treatment of Eating Disorders tells professionals everything they need to know about working with food in eating disorders. Marcia has been featured in People magazine and on Today and 48 Hours. Marcia credits much of her success with patients with eating disorders and obesity to her own struggles with and recovery from these conditions. Her childhood, as the oldest of six children growing up on a Montana ranch, is another significant influence.

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