Nutrition Do's and Don'ts For Friends and Family

Do's

• Accept the individual's right to choose his or her own food
• Be willing to negotiate duties involving food
• Allow each Family member to make their own food decisions
• Treat siblings fairly and with equality
• Learn about eating disorders
• Make the person with the eating disorder responsible for his or her actions:

replacing food that was binged on

cleaning up their purging messes

• Be a model for good eating habits and a positive self image
• Discuss with the person why you are concerned about his or her nutrition and weight behavior-be caring, gentle and non-judgmental
• Be supportive- let the person know you care about him or her and there's more to care about than just weight and appearance

Don'ts

• Decide for the person what should or should not be eaten
• Count points
• Force the person to eat
• Restrict food choices or amounts
• Watch the person when eating or make comments about food
• Apologize for or make excuses for the person's eating habits
• Make mealtime a battle of wills
• Play nutritionist
• Give food and nutrition related advice
• Read the person's journal (food or personal)
• Purchase or prepare food for the person only
• Comment on people's weight or appearance
• Blame yourself or others

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