i am in my early 20’s, and before i start, i do go to a professional counselor to deal with the issues behind my ednos (although it’s changed so many different times i don’t know what to call it anymore). my question is, since i can’t afford a nutritionist, and my parents aren’t willing to help pay for one, how can i find a balanced meal that’s right for me? or is that not possible? please let me know. i desparately want to eat normally, without binging/pging, overeating or undereating, but don’t know where to go right now. – l.
Dear L.,
First, I’m really glad to hear that you are seeing a counselor to help you deal with your disordered eating. Be patient with the process and keep at it! She/he will help you address the issues that are driving your bingeing/purging and overeating/under eating cycles. That’s more than half the battle!
Second, don’t give up on seeing a nutritionist yet. If you have insurance, please investigate whether or not it will cover some visits. Unfortunately, EDNOS are covered less often than anorexia or bulimia, but it’s still worth a try. See “Finding a Nutritionist” for some guidance.
Balanced, healthy eating is absolutely achievable for you! Changing patterns and habits takes time, so expect to work at it for a while, but the results will be energizing and liberating. We have a lot of information right here at Finding Balance to get you started. I would recommend that you go to the “Eat Well, Live Well” section, and take your time going through the articles, one at a time (even if it takes weeks!). Start with “What is Healthy Eating?” to get an overview. Then work through the information in “The Truth About…” Healthful eating isn’t really complicated; it boils down to:
- Eating three meals a day with healthy snacks as needed
- Choosing foods that support good health most of the time
- Enjoying some “fun foods” in moderation
- Learning to listen and respond to your body’s hunger and fullness signals
If you want even more details and guidance, I would recommend the book “HEAL: Healthy Eating Abundant Living.”
Hang in there!
Ann