Is Food Medicine? The Role of Nourishment in Eating Disorder Recovery

Eating disorders (ED) are serious and sometimes fatal illnesses that cause the sufferers to become obsessed with food, body weight and shape, and severely disturb their eating behaviour. Common eating disorders include binge eating disorder, bulimia nervosa, and anorexia nervosa. Recent research around the neurobiology of eating disorders has changed the way we address nourishing ED patients during treatment. Where we once thought of food as a symptom, and only important to prevent death by starvation, we now understand the critical importance of early intervention and full weight restoration. These recommendations challenge old paradigms about the cause and meaning of ED symptoms. This talk with Dr Angela Guarda of Johns Hopkins Hospital, Dr Jennifer Gaudiani and nutritionist Therese Waterhous will draw out the role of nourishment from the perspectives of someone with lived experience as well as leading clinicians in the medical and nutritional treatment of these dangerous brain disorders.

Laura Collins Lyster-Mensh, executive director and founder of the non-profit F.E.A.S.T. will co-host the panel. She became an activist for improved eating disorder treatment after her teen daughter recovered from anorexia. Tabitha Farrar, a survivor, author and an eating disorders coach will also join us to share her experineces and inform the panel.