Finding Meal Support While Living on Campus

Contributor: Crystal Karges, MS, RDN, IBCLC, Special Projects Coordinator at Eating Disorder Hope/Addiction Hope

Recovering from an eating disorder is challenging work – regardless of what stage or season you may be in.  Add a new life transition to the mix, and the result may be overwhelming but not impossible.  For the college student who is making the transition to independency and self-sufficiency, learning to maintain recovery during this time of life can bring unique obstacles and challenges.  However, with careful planning and preparation ahead of time, any student in recovery from an eating disorder can continue to be successful during a transition to college.

Adequate Meal Support

One important aspect to consider when making the transition to college and living on campus is the aspect of having adequate meal support.  Meal support is an essential component of recovery, which allows a person the encouragement they need to successfully feed and nourish his or her body.  Being able to appropriately self-feed is fundamental to securing a strong foundation for recovery.  Meal support is also a way to have emotional support during a time that can be particularly distressing and challenging for the individual recovering from an eating disorder.  Having adequate meal support can also be helpful in normalizing eating behaviors, decreasing fear of food and in reestablishing food as a pleasurable social experience.

Any person(s) offer to help in the meal supporting role should be free of any eating disorder behaviors, be a normal intuitive eater, be able to serve as a healthy role model for eating.  Having someone that can offer you adequate meal support, particularly during your transition to college, can be helpful in the continuation of your recovery efforts.  Work with your therapist or counselor prior to your transition to determine if meal support is recommended while you are in college and to brainstorm possible ideas of individuals who can offer you meal support on campus.

This may involve a trusted friend, roommate, counselor, teacher or professor, or mentor you can offer meal support to you on campus with regular frequency, be it once per day, or more or less.  Being able to establish this important component of recovery can help ensure you efforts are continued for the long-term and through any transition.

Community Discussion – Share your thoughts here!

What are some practical suggestions that you might have for someone who needs extra support during meal times on campus?  What are some resources available on your campus that might be useful to an individual who is recovering from an eating disorder?

The opinions and views of our guest contributors are shared to provide a broad perspective of eating disorders.  These are not necessarily the views of Eating Disorder Hope, but an effort to offer a discussion of various issues by different concerned individuals.  We at Eating Disorder Hope understand that eating disorders result from a combination of environmental and genetic factors.  If you or a loved one are suffering from an eating disorder, please know that there is hope for you, and seek immediate professional help.

Last Updated & Reviewed By: Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC on September 21, 2015. Published on EatingDisorderHope.com