The Role of the Dietitian in Residential Eating Disorder Treatment

Eating disorders are complex and affect not only the body but also the mind. A diverse, collaborative treatment team is essential for recovery. In addition to physicians, therapists, psychiatrists, nurses and families, an experienced dietitian who is knowledgeable of the nutritional and dietary requirements of a person is vital to positive treatment outcomes.

Only a Registered Dietitian (RD) or Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) has completed the multiple facets of education and training established by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). This level of certification assures clients and families that the dietitian is a reliable authority on nutrition and dietetics. At Magnolia Creek, we have two Registered Dietitian Nutritionists, Brittany Braswell, and Leigh-Ann Bamberg.

Our dietitians provide individualized care to our clients using an evaluation of the nutritional deficiencies and unhealthy food and weight-related behaviors. A thorough nutritional assessment reveals a client’s current dietary intake, eating patterns, beliefs about food and weight, supplement use, and an overall weight history. In combination with this assessment, they listen intently to gain an understanding of the client’s emotions around food and their desired goals and then design a customized meal plan, which meets their specific needs.

Meeting with clients one-on-one, they work as a partner to develop a safe and effective meal plan with variety in the menus, and guidelines for lunch and snack outings. In addition to providing education to help clients work through food myths, and misconceptions, they use nutritional counseling sessions to gain insights on the client’s emotional connection related to food. These insights can be valuable in helping therapists, and psychiatrists and they work to resolve the emotional issues related to the eating disorder. One-on-one time with clients affords Brittany and Leigh-Ann an opportunity to connect with their clients on a deeper level and teach them to understand more about their eating disorder and how they can fully begin to recover.

In addition to working directly with clients, our dietitians help to monitor weight trends, create new activities for grocery store outings, and research guidelines and information to incorporate into the nutrition program.

At Magnolia Creek, our dietitians see firsthand how a comprehensive care plan restores health and how a collaborative treatment team is important to recovery. Magnolia Creek provides a treatment environment that emphasizes self-acceptance, validation, and personal empowerment. Using an evidence-based treatment model, we work with you to help you fully recover from your eating disorder. To learn more about our program, please call us at 205-235-6989 or complete our contact form.