Respecting a patient’s autonomy is at the heart of ethical care. Patients need to feel empowered to take an active role in their recovery, sharing their goals and shaping the direction of their care. Through collaborative conversations, registered dietitians can work with patients to create personalized, meaningful care plans that align with their values. By listening deeply and offering supportive guidance, the goal is to help patients feel confident, respected, and fully supported on their journey to healing.
Avoiding harmful diet culture narratives
The influence of diet culture is a significant challenge in eating disorder recovery, making a supportive and positive approach essential. Emphasizing health-focused, weight-neutral care helps patients reconnect with their bodies and their relationship with food. By focusing on balance, flexibility, and body acceptance, patients can develop a healthier perspective where food becomes a source of nourishment and joy. This compassionate approach creates an environment of trust and empowerment for every individual.
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Building a multidisciplinary team
Eating disorder recovery requires a team effort, and a specialized group of registered dietitians who focus exclusively on eating disorder care. These dietitians should bring advanced training and experience in treating the unique challenges that come with eating disorders. By dedicating a specific group of professionals to ED care, patients can receive the most informed and compassionate support possible.
In addition to specialized dietitians, collaboration with therapists supports the psychological aspects of disordered eating and body image struggles, while physicians monitor physical health and address medical complications. Family members or other support systems should be involved to create a strong network for the patient outside of clinical care.
Team members must communicate regularly to align treatment strategies and deliver consistent messaging. This cohesive care team ensures that patients receive seamless, comprehensive support. This collaborative model not only enhances patient outcomes but also builds a sense of trust and stability that is critical for recovery.
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Providing individualized care
No two eating disorder recovery journeys are the same, and ethical care requires acknowledging this diversity. Care plans should be as unique as the patients providers serve, beginning with cultural sensitivity — recognizing and respecting the cultural influences that shape food choices and body image perceptions. Understanding these nuances helps create care plans that feel authentic and attainable for each patient.
Care plans should be designed to evolve with each patient’s progress, addressing co-occurring conditions such as anxiety, depression, or gastrointestinal issues to provide comprehensive support.
Ensuring continuous education and reflection
Ethical nutrition care requires more than initial training — it demands ongoing education and self-reflection. Staying informed on the latest research and best practices in eating disorder recovery to ensure that approaches remain effective and evidence-based.
Supervision and peer review are integral to this practice, providing opportunities to discuss complex cases, share insights, and maintain a high standard of care. Self-reflection is equally important. By examining biases and assumptions, professionals can identify and address any factors that might inadvertently influence our care. This commitment to growth ensures that practice remains compassionate, inclusive, and patient-centered.
Marketing eating disorder nutrition care
Marketing for eating disorder nutrition care should be approached with intention and ethics, always prioritizing the well-being of current and potential patients. Efforts should be made to avoid exposing individuals to repeated messaging about weight loss, which could undermine their recovery process or trigger harmful emotions. Instead, the focus should be on creating content and communication that empowers patients by highlighting the healing and supportive aspects of care.
ED care messaging should emphasize transparency and compassion. Clear information about services and the evidence-based methods used should be provided, ensuring patients can make informed decisions about their care. At the same time, avoid language that perpetuates diet culture or stigma. By centering our marketing messages on support, healing, and inclusivity, the goal is to create a welcoming environment for all individuals seeking recovery.
Conclusion
Ethical nutrition care for eating disorder recovery requires compassion, commitment, and a patient-centered focus. Providers must create a supportive environment where every individual feels seen, heard, and valued. By emphasizing collaboration, rejecting harmful narratives, and tailoring care to each patient’s needs, the aim is to provide a foundation for lasting recovery and overall well-being.
Photo: vgajic, Getty Images
Vanessa Rissetto is a registered dietitian (RD) and the CEO and Co-founder of Culina Health, a revolutionary clinical nutrition care company created in 2020. Prior to starting this venture, she served as the Director of Dietetic Internships at New York University (NYU), where she led the clinical nutrition treatment for a diverse patient population and mentored early-career dietitians — many of whom now work at Culina Health. Before changing careers and becoming an RD, Vanessa earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Fordham University and a master’s degree in marketing from NYU. Today, she seamlessly integrates her passions for business, entrepreneurship and nutrition as the CEO of Culina Health.
Amy Dahl, MS, RD, CEDS, is a Senior Registered Dietitian at Culina Health. She has over 15 years of clinical experience in both inpatient and outpatient settings. As a HAES-aligned dietitian, Amy is committed to helping patients adopt health-promoting behaviors without focusing on weight. She specializes in eating disorder care, including the treatment of binge-eating disorder, anorexia, and bulimia, providing compassionate, evidence-based support to individuals on their recovery journeys.Before joining Culina Health, Amy worked at Monte Nido Eating Disorder Center, where she gained extensive experience in eating disorder treatment. She holds a Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition from New York University and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Boston College.
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