The Eating and Your Energy Levels handout provides an overview of the relationship between food intake and energy levels.
Offers theory, guidance, and prompts for mental health professionals. Downloads are in Fillable PDF format where appropriate.
Includes client-friendly guidance. Downloads are in Fillable PDF format where appropriate.
An editable Microsoft PowerPoint version of the resource.
Disordered patterns of eating play a central role in the maintenance of anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorder, and other specified feeding and eating disorders (OSFED). For this reason, psychoeducation regarding the content and consequences of ‘normal’ versus ‘abnormal’ patterns of eating are an important aspect of treatment.
This information handout describes relationship between food intake, energy levels, and eating disorder symptoms such as binge-eating. It graphically illustrates how common patterns of eating observed among people with eating disorders can affect energy levels, and the consequences that this has. It also highlights the benefits of stabilizing energy levels through regular eating and regular intake of carbohydrates.
Educating clients about the importance of regular eating supports behavior change.
Severe restriction of food intake leading to low energy levels.
Restrained eating leading to cycles of binge-eating followed by purging.
Education about regular eating can benefit clients with other eating disorders (e.g., Other Specified Feeding Or Eating Disorder; OSFED)
Use the handout to explain how different patterns of eating can affect people’s energy levels.
Explore whether the client relates to any of the eating patterns described.
Discuss the potential benefits of introducing a regular pattern of eating.
Encourage the client to eat more regularly so they can discover whether it is helpful.
Disordered eating patterns play an important role in the maintenance of conditions such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorder, and other specified feeding and eating disorders (OSFED). Therefore, psychoeducation about the differences between 'normal' and 'abnormal' eating patterns is a crucial aspect of treatment.
Failing to meet the body's energy needs significantly often contributes to disordered eating (Waller et al., 2007). When the body is deprived of energy from food, individuals may experience various problematic symptoms, including intense hunger, obsessive thoughts about food, and impaired cognitive functioning. Research indicates that these symptoms can contribute to the development and maintenance of disordered eating (Keys et al., 1950).
Understanding the causes and consequences of low energy can help individuals grasp why they experience certain challenges related to their eating disorders, such as food preoccupation and the urge to binge-eat. Additionally, recognizing the importance of energy levels emphasizes the benefits of providing the body with a consistent supply of energy throughout the day, such as through regular meals and snacks.
Energy graphs highlight the advantages of regular eating. Consuming meals at consistent intervals, including a steady intake of carbohydrates, supplies the body with the energy necessary for optimal functioning. This practice can help prevent symptoms of semi-starvation, enhance control over food intake, and improve mood and concentration.
