[albrecht86]

I finally met a nutritionist and have some mixed feelings.

Bit background: been consitently losing weight for four years (used to be very overweight), got underweight as anorexic behaviors and anxieties developed. Recently got really worried and started forcing myself to eat more, leading to some (guilty) binges. Not doing mentally better, but finally gained ten pounds in just a month (yikes). Now just barely on the bottom of the acceptable BMI scale.

My concerns with the nutritionist:
* All she did was plug my measurements into a BMI/BMR calculator, divide by x amount of meals and presto, "meal plan". Umm I can do that myself (and have)...
* She seemed to ignore any of my anorexic tendencies/issues. When I mentioned them she didn't comment much or coach me on coping with them when it comes to enacting the meal plan (should she tho?)
* The meal plan she gave me is to maintain my weight, even tho I only just barely crossed from being technically underweight in the past two weeks and my bodyfat % is also below minimum
* She encouraged me to exercise more (arguably good, but I also have tendency to overexercise)
* Before the meeting she accidentally sent me a pre-filled questionnaire with someone else's personal info and their helth issues. And some of her pre-made pamphlets she gave me have typos

So I don't know... maybe I'm just too negative/mistrusting? I've also been reading a lot of Your Eatiopia blog recently which may be skewing my views, as it goes against most anorexia recovery guidelines suggesting eating a ton (several thousands cal easy), allowing your binges, and cutting out all exercise.

Any thoughts or similar experiences with Ns?

[Victoria'smom]

I've been known to trick my BMI #'s so all accounts I have always have a 'healthy' BMI. They did a couple of tests on me one telling you how much calories your body needs to function. The ladies response was horrible being so low. Then I saw the dietitian she proceeded to convince me to drop everything I'm willing to eat because it's unhealthy food. The only thing she seemed to hear as it came to my eating disorder is "Yes, I have a therapist." She did tell me I was only allowed to go to the special fitness classes 3x a week ( >10 people to one instructor for health issue people)

My therapist ended up taking me out of the program because it was triggering my eating disorder worse and making my depression worse.

[Hope-Full]

Find a new nutritionist, preferably a dietitian that specializes in eating disorders. My first experience with a nutritionist was miserable, too. Then my therapist sent me to someone she refers to and we have been working together for two years - I find my dietitian tremendously supportive and helpful. Don't give up!

[albrecht86]

Thank you for the quick responses. The N does list ED on her website and did explain she has experience when I spoke to her on the phone, so I was surprised how dismissive she was of any of my concerns in regards to that.

Originally Posted by Miguel'smom

I've been known to trick my BMI #'s so all accounts I have always have a 'healthy' BMI.

The N gave me the exact same numbers I calculated actually, down to the last digit. Then she just took all the stuff I eat normally and just arranged it to fit that number divided by x amount of meals. So again felt like a bit waste of money...

Well I will try her meal plan before I disregard it. Just had breakfast. Still bit hungry, and having some ED-anxieties that usually pop up when I undereat but... we'll see. Might be just in my head.

[ar2004]

My dietitian is not specialized in treating ED's but I like working with her so far. I have used a lot of her suggestions for making my diet more balanced, even though I am not up to the minimum daily calorie requirement. She respects that I'm not there yet or ready to add things like Olive oil to my diet because of how high calorie it is. She also works with my T who directs my treatment plan so it is really my T who takes care of monitoring my weight and BMI. My D is there to educate me on nutrition and give me meal plan ideas.

[caseygirl]

Ditto, this is exactly what a dietician did for me....I felt I was no further ahead than when I went in. She gave me this pamphlet on the "Canada Food Guide" blah blah blah. I felt it was a waste of time. Exercise, get enough sleep, eat lots of veggies and fruits.

Although my family doc referred to this person, she then went onto say I should see someone who specializes in ED?

[rissaAli]

My advice is get a new Dietitian if you can. All Dietitians have to learn about eating disorders. That does not mean they treat them though. I would ask her how many clients she has with your diagnosis parameters. I have had both kinds of Dietitians and now because I have an ED one my therapist does therapy. My D works very closely with them and my Doctor's. If you have a treatment center in your area they can be good resources for eating disorder specialists. My D would never recommend exercising with a borderline BMI. that could be dangerous I would think.

[Fuzzybear]