What to expect during your first visit with an eating disorder Dietitian

You may be wondering what your first appointment with a Dietitian might be like. I am hopeful that this post will answer some of your questions so that you may be able to feel a little more at ease prior to attending your first session with me.

Come as you are

You may be feeling anxious, nervous or scared before your first session. It’s valid to feel this way, especially if this is your first time reaching out for support with your relationship to food and body. You may be feeling as though I will not under your thoughts around food or body. You may be feeling afraid that I will suggest for you to eat more food, or less food. You may be anxious and hesitant to share what your experience has really been like. If you are currently experiencing an eating disorder, your eating disorder may even be telling you not to reach out for support, and this may leave you feeling very uncertain and possibly alone.

If you are feeling any of these feelings, I have genuine compassion and empathy for your experience. In my own experience with an eating disorder many years ago, I remember feeling very scared before my first appointment with the Dietitian. My eating disorder was more afraid of the Dietitian than of anyone else on my treatment team. Looking back now, I can see how important the role of the Dietitian was in my care and I am so glad that even though I was scared, I was able to meet with her. She supported my family so much in being able to work towards teaching me to eat again.

It's important to note that each individual may feel differently prior to their first appointment with a Dietitian depending on a number of factors, including whether or not they have seen a Dietitian before, and what their experience was like if they have (was it a positive experience or negative?). If you have had a negative experience in the past, together we can discuss in session what was helpful and what was not and tailor a plan for you accordingly. Seeing a Dietitian may feel a bit scary at first, but it may also turn out to be an incredibly supportive part of your journey towards a peaceful relationship with food and body.

What to expect

As a Dietitian seeing you for the first time, my hope is that together we can create a space for you that feels safe, open and compassionate so that you are able to share with me what your experience is really like with food and your body. I do my absolute best to hold space for you, and to invite you into a gentle conversation about your experience.

I will conduct a thorough nutritional assessment with you in order to develop the best nutrition plan possible. I will ask you lots of open ended questions to find out more about you. We cover a lot of information together, including: your medical history; lab work and any other revalent tests that may be needed, we go through a developmental eating history (what food was like for you growing up); we talk about any mental health concerns you may have and how this may affect your eating; we talk about your main concerns when it comes to your relationship to food and body; we discuss how you feel about food and what foods feel safe or unsafe for you; I will ask you questions about your usual food intake from when you get up to when you go to bed, and what it is like for you; and we talk about what you would like to get from the session and what you see my role being in your care.

Developing a care plan

From here, we develop a nutrition care plan which may involve coordinating a treatment team, and perhaps setting 1-2 small goals to start (or we might wait until your next session to do so). I may offer you supportive resources such as handouts, or suggestions for reading. Your treatment plan will be individualized to your specific needs and circumstances. We may choose to include your family another close person in session to discuss what support could look like for you at home. No one should have to face an eating disorder/disordered eating alone. I hope to be an advocate for you, so that you are able to receive the best care possible!

Still have questions/concerns about your first appointment? Book a free 20-30 minute consult call to discuss more. I'm happy to speak with you more.