One of the most common questions that I get asked from my eating disorder clients is how normal meals at home can fit into an eating disorder recovery meal plan. Therefore, over the next 10 blog posts (this is post # 9), I will be breaking down 10 everyday meals into an exchange based eating disorder meal plan.
For example purposes, I will be using the same mock meal plan (and specific exchange system) that I provided in the blog post titled Meal Plans for Eating Disorder Recovery. *Please remember that I am providing the following meal plan as an example only (as nutritional needs are based on multiple factors including gender, age, height, weight, and activity level). To determine an eating disorder recovery meal plan for your own individualized nutritional needs, visit a registered dietitian that specializes in eating disorder treatment.
Meal # 9 Casseroles
*a good estimate of any casserole type dish that contains a grain source (rice, pasta, potatoes, etc), a protein source (meat, cheese, beans, etc), and a fat source (cheese, cream cheese, etc) is 1-1 1/2 cups = 2-4 ounces protein, 2 grains, 2-3 fats.
Lunch (2 grains, 2-4 oz protein, 1 fruit, 1 vegetable, 3-4 fats, 1 milk):
-1-1 1/2 cups casserole dish (2-4 ounces protein, 2 grains, 2-3 fats)
-peach (1 fruit)
-small side salad with 1 Tablespoon regular salad dressing or 2 Tablespoons light salad dressing (1 vegetable, 1 fat)
-1 cup skim milk (1 milk)
Dinner (3 grains, 2-4 oz protein, 1 vegetable, 3-4 fats, 1 milk):
-1-1 1/2 cups casserole dish (2-4 ounces protein, 2 grains, 2-3 fats)
-1 dinner roll
-small side salad with 1 Tablespoon regular salad dressing or 2 Tablespoons light salad dressing (1 vegetable, 1 fat)
-1 cup skim milk (1 milk)
*although chocolate milk is technically not a grain, I will count it as a grain for my clients who are nervous about the additional carbohydrates and therefore calories it contains when compared to white milk.