The Reasons Behind “Fullness”
When very little food is consumed, the stomach becomes smaller. All of the body’s processes slow down to conserve energy, including the functions of the stomach and intestines. This decrease in digestive function causes food to move more slowly through the digestive tract, resulting in feelings of fullness and related symptoms. With better nutrition and more food, the stomach will eventually return to its normal size and the digestive process will speed up and normalize.
It’s natural for patients and family members to want to compromise on food quantities when a patient is experiencing discomfort, especially when consuming higher-calorie meal plans. Many patients with restrictive eating disorders are already fearful of food, calorie amounts, eating, and gaining weight. However, reducing food or caloric intake on a designated meal plan will only prolong the amount of time until a patient is eating enough to reach a healthy weight and a healthy mental state.
Incorporating Energy-Dense Foods
On larger meal plans for patients with restrictive eating disorders, it can be helpful to serve energy-dense foods that provide a high number of calories in relatively small volume. Expanding food variety can also be beneficial. Health professionals and caregivers can encourage patients to:
- Increase fat content by adding items like avocado, yogurt, and shredded cheese to meals and snacks.
- Consume energy-dense foods first. Save items like fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole wheat products until later in the meal.
- Incorporate energy-dense drinks like smoothies and shakes, as these are digested more easily than solids.
- Avoid low-calorie or diet foods or drinks.
- Maintain an appropriate spacing of three meals and snacks throughout the day to make high-calorie meals more manageable and allow the digestive system to work more efficiently.
While these strategies are helpful, they are not sufficient to overcome all the challenges of the refeeding process. The process is best monitored in an inpatient setting, where health professionals can effectively address comorbidities and avoid the potential electrolyte shifts and metabolic complications of refeeding syndrome.
At Princeton Center for Eating Disorders, nutritional therapy in a structured meal environment is accompanied by close medical monitoring, access to care from a broad array of health disciplines, and psychological interventions. This approach supports patients and their families with tools for achieving successful meal compliance and positive longer-term outcomes.
Source: Up to the Plate: A F.E.A.S.T. Family Guide to the Importance of Nutrition for Understanding and Treating Eating Disorders, 2015. www.feast-ed.org.