Addition Nutrition for Eating Disorder Recovery
When it comes to nutrition—both in eating disorder recovery and beyond—our philosophy can be summarized in one word:
Addition.
Unfortunately, most nutrition conversations focus on what to remove. We are constantly being told which foods to avoid, restrict, eliminate, or fear in the name of health.
The problem is that nutrition advice is constantly changing. Foods that were vilified a decade ago are now celebrated. Foods once considered healthy are now being questioned. Every few years, a new trend emerges and the rules seem to change yet again.
As a result, many people have become increasingly confused about food and increasingly disconnected from their own bodies.
Rather than asking, “What should I take away?”, we encourage people to begin with a different question:
“What can I add?”
Our nutritional needs are both remarkably simple and wonderfully diverse.
We all require carbohydrates, fats, and protein. Beyond that, there are countless ways to nourish ourselves. Humans have evolved eating a wide variety of foods from a wide variety of sources, and there is no single way of eating that works for everyone.
Rather than focusing on what needs to be removed, we encourage people to focus on what can be added. More variety. More nourishment. More flexibility. More satisfaction.
Food comes in many forms. Some meals are homemade and shared around a table. Others are eaten on the go between appointments, school pickups, and busy workdays. Some foods are fresh, others are frozen, canned, packaged, or prepared. All can play a role in meeting our nutritional needs.
In eating disorder recovery and beyond, our goal is to create space for an inclusive, additive approach to nutrition—one that supports both physical health and a positive relationship with food.
3 tips to to focus on addition with your nutrition:
Focus on what to add in, and don’t worry about taking anything away.
Here are a few questions to explore:
What foods help you feel satisfied and content after a meal? Are there flavours, textures, or ingredients you enjoy that could show up more often?
Which foods help you feel energized and nourished?
What foods or meals feel comforting, supportive, or kind to you?
Are there any food groups, nutrients, or flavours that have become limited in your diet that might benefit from being welcomed back in? This could include fats, grains, fruits, sweet foods, salty foods, or simply more variety.
Rather than focusing on what you should avoid, try tuning into what your body may be asking for more of.
Your nutrition is not mutually exclusive.
That ice cream you had for dessert does not cancel out the nourishment in your dinner.
That frappuccino you enjoyed after yoga class does not erase the benefits of the movement you chose for your mind and body.
And the nutrients in a salad are no less valuable because you decided to enjoy it alongside a slice of pizza.
Nutrition is not about earning, offsetting, or cancelling out food.
Sometimes the most powerful shift is moving away from what you think you should eat and toward what helps you feel nourished, satisfied, and genuinely well.
Focus on what feels good.
There are so many "shoulds" in the nutrition and wellness space. They often contradict one another, leaving many people confused about what they are supposed to eat and how they are supposed to live.
The truth is that our nutritional needs are individual and constantly evolving. What helps one person feel their best may not work for someone else. And what serves us well in one season of life may look very different in the next.
When we release rigid food rules and stop focusing on what needs to be removed, something shifts. We can begin tuning inward instead of outward. We can start paying attention to how we feel, what we need, and what genuinely supports our well-being.
In eating disorder recovery and beyond, an additive approach to nutrition can be incredibly liberating. Instead of being defined by restriction and loss, nourishment becomes about possibility, flexibility, and what we gain.
Perhaps the most powerful thing about an additive approach to nutrition is that it shifts the focus away from restriction and toward nourishment.
Instead of asking what needs to be removed, we begin asking what would help us feel more nourished, more satisfied, and more supported.
Sometimes that simple shift can change everything.
As always, if you are looking for more support, reach out. We offer free calls to help guide you in the right direction to the best possible support for you and your family.
