BlogArticleTemplate

ARFID

DialogTrigger

Section

Disclosure

GatedContent

MegaMenu

Header

DialogContent

Image

RecentArticles

Accordion/Trigger

MegaMenuItem

CookieBanner

GatedDownloadCard

Accordion/Content

Prose

Button

AccordionItem

Action

ButtonZoom

Banner

Ribbon

Swiper

NavMobile

Article

PortableText

AutoDownloader

Accordion

Footer

SplitBanner

Dialog

Date

Segment

GetConsultationPopUp

Arfid

Experiment

Screen

NewArfidLpDesign

EquipAcademy

HeaderOutcomesPage

StartHereModuleHomepage

plasmic-sanity-io

plasmic-query

equip.health

plasmic-basic-components

react-youtube

plasmic-tabs

react-aria

plasmic-rich-components

antd5 hostless

If someone you love is dealing with an eating disorder, it can be hard to know how to help. What can you do? What should you say? How do you even know for sure that there’s a problem?

It’s a nuanced and difficult situation, so it’s understandable why loved ones are sometimes hesitant to get involved. But research shows that friends and family are often key to helping someone get the care they need—and early intervention leads to better outcomes.

That’s why we’re so thrilled that Equip recently partnered with theSkimm to shed light on this complex topic. As part of this partnership, Dr. Erin Parks answered common questions about how to tell if someone you love is struggling with an eating disorder, and what you can do to help. Check out the video for compassionate, realistic guidance that will arm you with the knowledge you need to support your loved one with confidence.

 to see more clips from her interview in the weeks and months ahead.


Equip Partners with theSkimm to Share Guidance on Supporting Someone with an Eating Disorder

When I became a dietitian nearly 10 years ago, protein wore a health halo in the wellness world. It was the macronutrient that was touted as the best or “healthiest” among its counterparts (carbs and fats). Now, protein’s halo seems larger and shinier than ever in our culture—from social media to gyms to ads, the message that we should all be eating more protein is inescapable. In fact, a 2025 food and health survey from the 

 shows that 71% of Americans are trying to eat more protein and about a third have increased their protein intake over the last year, while a “high protein diet” was reported as the most common eating pattern. In my eating disorder nutrition practice, I’ve also noticed that clients typically have the least amount of fear attached to high-protein foods.

While there are likely many reasons why our society is obsessed with protein, there are a few 

. For one thing, it’s simply never had a negative reputation (like fat in the 90s, and carbs afterward). It’s also the macronutrient most associated with changing body composition (i.e., losing fat and growing muscle), which is a focus for anyone entrenched in 

 and its harmful beliefs that there is a certain body ideal to chase. Dietitian 

 points out that the protein hype also seemed to increase with the weight loss drug explosion. “Fear of losing muscle mass while losing weight has placed more emphasis on what one could do to limit muscle loss, which often leads to eating more protein,” she explains. “Protein is needed to build and maintain muscle, and our society at this moment is very focused on muscle gain or preventing muscle loss.”

While protein is essential to our health and well-being for a myriad of reasons (more on that later), this hyperfocus on one macronutrient at the expense of others is unnecessary and even detrimental in some cases. Today, we’ll explore the importance of carbs and fats, the truth about protein, and how to strike a relative balance between all three macronutrients.

Carbs get so much hate these days that it’s often (and understandably) hard for many people to believe that they’re the source of energy that our bodies and brains prefer most. “Often, in our society there is a misrepresentation that carbs are empty of nutrition, which couldn’t be further from the truth,” Pruteanu says. “Carbs are an essential macronutrient that our bodies need to function. They are the 

 needs to live and work.” While carbohydrate needs vary from person to person and depend on a variety of factors, like health status and activity level, it’s recommended that most people receive 

 (and usually more) from carbs on a daily basis.

Here are some examples of the critical role of carbohydrates in the body:

 shows the brain uses around 20% of the body’s energy (which is primarily glucose, or sugar, derived from carbs), and eating enough carbs supports important cognitive functions like memory, attention, and decision-making processes.

If the body doesn’t receive adequate carbs, it will try to get energy by 

 (protein’s building blocks). As Prutaneau explains, this is “not an efficient pathway and often we can feel the side effects of fatigue, impaired muscle recovery and loss of muscle mass, feeling shaky or nauseous, or having a harder time concentrating.” However, when the body receives the carbs it needs, this process is unnecessary, and muscle is preserved.

They support “happy hormone” production.

, a neurotransmitter regulating mood, sleep, and appetite. Serotonin needs a certain amino acid (tryptophan) for synthesis, and eating carbs increases insulin secretion, which helps transport tryptophan into the brain—making serotonin creation possible.

Many sources of carbohydrates also provide essential vitamins and minerals, or micronutrients. For example, whole grains (like oats, brown rice, quinoa, or whole wheat bread) provide B vitamins, iron, and zinc, while fruits offer micronutrients like Vitamin C and potassium. Starchy veggies like potatoes and butternut squash provide Vitamins A and C, potassium, and magnesium. Refined carbs (like white breads, pancakes, pasta, rice, and some baked goods) are often fortified with vitamins and minerals, too.

Many carb sources (like whole grains, fruits, and starchy vegetables) include fiber, which helps keep your digestive system healthy. It is also 

 lower risk of diabetes and heart disease because it supports healthy blood sugar and cholesterol levels.

In eating disorder recovery, eating enough carbs has even more benefits. “Carbs are also often the easiest nutrient to replenish, which makes them particularly important in eating disorder recovery, where restoring energy balance quickly is key,” explains dietitian 

. Since carbs are currently the most demonized and avoided macronutrient in our culture, and are often 

 for those with eating disorders, it’s important to eat them regularly—with therapeutic support—during treatment in order to normalize them and create new neuropathways of safety.

“Carbs aren’t something to fear,” Colin adds. “They’re a fundamental part of fueling the body and brain, and a cornerstone of rebuilding a healthy relationship with food.”

I grew up on non-fat milk as a kid in the 90s. My mother simply thought she was making the healthiest choice for her family, because back then, fats were feared as much as carbs are today. While there isn’t as much societal fearmongering around fats anymore, there seems to be some residual angst about them—even though getting enough is critical for your health and well-being.

Like carbs, fat needs vary by person and depend on many factors, but 

 that most people receive anywhere between 20% and 35% of their daily energy from fats. It’s also common for those with eating disorders to fear foods high in fat (like oils, cheese, butter, cream cheese, red meat, salad dressing, and ice cream), often because fats provide the most calories of all the macronutrients. “They’re not ‘extra calories’—they’re a nutrient we 

 for hormone health, brain function, and overall well-being,” Colin emphasizes.

Here are some reasons why fat is so essential for your body:

They are necessary for vitamin absorption.

Fats are essential because they allow us to absorb fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E, and K—without them, those nutrients can’t do their jobs,” Colin explains. For example, the fat in salad dressing helps you absorb the Vitamin A and Vitamin K found in your salad greens, and having fat in your milk helps you absorb the Vitamin D within it.

Chances are high that you’ll leave your meal feeling unsatisfied if you didn’t get enough fat. That’s because fats activate your body’s feeling of satiety—the feeling of being full and satisfied after eating—which signals it’s time to stop eating. Pruteanu adds that fats “flavor our food giving it a delicious taste and texture,” and this make the eating experience more enjoyable, and thus more satisfying.

They help create hormones and cell membranes.

Fats break down into fatty acids, triglycerides, phospholipids and cholesterol, and these molecules are used by the body to create cell membranes and make hormones,” Pruteanu explains. “When someone is consuming a diet that is very low in fats, they will often experience impaired hormone production.” 

, for example, is a type of fat that is the precursor for many important hormones like estrogen and testosterone, and fatty acids are essential for producing eicosanoids, which are hormone-like molecules that regulate essential functions like 

 contains fats (usually phospholipids and cholesterol) necessary for forming and maintaining nerve connections, which are vital for healthy brain function.

Although they can feel scary, eating fats is a vital part of eating disorder recovery. “Fats provide a concentrated source of energy that can help restore nutritional balance and weight more efficiently,” Colin explains. 

 can also help restore the body’s hunger and fullness cues, which are often disrupted by an eating disorder. Additionally, eating fats at all meals and snacks can help to reduce preoccupation with food, since fats contribute to feelings of fullness and satisfaction (and food preoccupation often comes from being undernourished or unsatisfied).

Like carbs and fats, protein is an essential macronutrient that you need on a regular basis for your body to survive and thrive. In fact, 

 for nearly every bodily process. However, contrary to popular belief, you don’t need more protein than carbs or fats, and “more protein isn’t always better,” Colin says. “The goal isn’t to overload someone but to make sure they’re consistently meeting their requirements as part of a balanced plan.”

 range from 10% to 35% of daily energy needs, but (like the other macronutrients) your individual needs can vary depending on several factors. Like I mentioned, protein is typically the macronutrient group that’s least feared in those with eating disorders, but that’s not 

 the case. For example, I’ve worked with past clients to address fears surrounding animal proteins (like red meat, poultry, and eggs) because they’d adopted false beliefs from diet culture that such foods are “unhealthy.”

Here are some key reasons why your body needs protein:

Protein helps build and repair cell tissues all over the body.

“Protein breaks down into amino acids, which are the building blocks of any tissue in our body,” Pruteanu explains. This includes everything from hair, skin, and nails to muscles and internal organs. “Protein is necessary to support our muscle mass, for our body to build strong tissues and be able to quickly repair itself,” she adds.

, which are protective proteins created by your immune system, are necessary for removing foreign substances, like viruses and toxins, from your body.

Without adequate protein, your body can’t produce enough antibodies to effectively respond to infections.

Proteins make up vital enzymes and hormones.

 which are necessary for efficiently carrying out chemical reactions all over the body. For example, the enzyme amylase breaks down carbohydrates so they can be absorbed by the body. Some vital hormones consist of proteins, like 

, which helps promote growth in children and maintain healthy body structure and metabolism in adults.

It helps maintain stable blood sugar levels.

“Since protein digests more slowly than other macronutrients, it can slow down how quickly carbs eaten simultaneously get broken down and absorbed,” Pruteanu explains. “Slower absorption of glucose from carbs leads to fewer blood glucose spikes.” For example, your blood sugar will spike quicker and higher when you eat carbs alone (a handful of crackers) compared to when you eat them with protein (a handful of crackers with peanut butter).

 shows that getting enough protein in recovery can help the body maintain lean tissue (which include muscles, bones, organs, connective tissues, and body fluids) and repair cells, and—when combined with enough calories overall—it can support a healthier, balanced recovery. “I always remind my clients that protein isn’t the only star of the show—it’s important, yes, but a balanced diet means also getting enough carbohydrates, fats, fiber, and micronutrients,” Colin adds. “Protein is a piece of the puzzle, not the whole picture.”

How to strike a (relative) balance of carbs, fats, and proteins

 to be healthy. “When one macronutrient is prioritized while the other ones are ignored, our bodies will show signs of deficiency,” Pruteanu explains. "Even if your goal is to build muscle and you are aiming to eat more protein, your diet should still consist primarily of carbohydrates, followed by proteins and fats.”

But it’s also important to take this information as a guide, not strict rules that need to be followed exactly: despite what diet culture says, trying to rigidly balance your macronutrients is not necessary, and can become obsessive and unhealthy. “It’s not about being ‘perfect’ with macros, but about rebuilding trust with food, honoring your body’s needs, and making sure no single nutrient is left out of the picture,” Colin explains. “Having all three macronutrients throughout the day supports metabolism, satiety, and nutrient absorption.”

 balance of carbs, fats, and proteins by including all three at every meal: this means carbs (e.g. bread, pasta, rice, and fruit), fats (e.g. salad dressing, avocado, olive oil, and nuts), and proteins (e.g. chicken, fish, eggs, and legumes). For example, your breakfast might include toast (carb) with butter (fat), eggs (protein) cooked with oil (fat) and cheese (fat), and fruit (carb). “For snacks, pair a carbohydrate with either a fat or protein for the same effect—think fruit with nut butter or crackers with cheese,” Colin suggests. For visual examples of balanced plates, 

Additionally, try including a variety of macronutrient sources, including simple and complex carbs, unsaturated and saturated fats, and plant and animal proteins, because they offer varying vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients, and support mental and emotional well-being. Here are some examples of each category:

 fruit, white bread or rice, white potatoes, cookies or cakes

oats, whole wheat bread or rice, sweet potatoes, quinoa

Wondering about where non-starchy veggies (e.g. spinach, broccoli, lettuce, and bell peppers) fit in? Add them to your plate as you wish—they provide essential vitamins and minerals, and fiber—but keep in mind they aren’t going to provide adequate energy on their own. Since everyone has varying nutrient and energy needs, it’s best to work with a dietitian to help you understand your individual needs and develop a meal structure or eating pattern that supports the healthiest version of you.

Protein-Dazed, And Still Confused: New IFIC Research Reveals America’s High-Protein Hype Doesn’t Match Knowledge - IFIC

. (2025, July 10). IFIC. https://ific.org/media/protein-dazed-and-still-confused-new-ific-research-reveals-americas-high-protein-hype-doesnt-match-knowledge/?

Protein seems to suddenly be everywhere. Here’s why

. (2025, January 30). NPR. https://www.npr.org/2025/01/30/nx-s1-5270923/protein-seems-to-suddenly-be-everywhere-heres-why

‌Holesh, J. E., Aslam, S., & Martin, A. (2023, May 12). 

. Nih.gov; StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459280/?

‌Espinosa-Salas, S., & Gonzalez-Arias, M. (2023, August 8). 

Nutrition: Macronutrient Intake, Imbalances, and Interventions

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK594226/

Arshad, M. T., Maqsood, S., Altalhi, R., Shamlan, G., Mohamed Ahmed, I. A., Ikram, A., & Abdullahi, M. A. (2025). Role of Dietary Carbohydrates in Cognitive Function: A Review. 

Margolis, L. M., & Pasiakos, S. M. (2023). Low carbohydrate availability impairs hypertrophy and anaerobic performance. 

Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition & Metabolic Care

https://doi.org/10.1097/mco.0000000000000934

Dietary fiber: Essential for a healthy diet

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/fiber/art-20043983

and, E., Jackson, L. M., Parker, R. M., & Mattison, D. R. (2020, July). 

Reproductive Steroid Hormones: Synthesis, Structure, and Biochemistry

. Nih.gov; National Academies Press (US). 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK562873/

Yamaguchi, A., Botta, E., & Holinstat, M. (2022). Eicosanoids in inflammation in the blood and the vessel. 

https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2022.997403

Custers, Emma, E. M., Kiliaan, & Amanda, J. (2022). Dietary lipids from body to brain. 

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plipres.2021.101144

Anorexia and Dietary Fat: Brain Function, Hunger and Satiety

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/hunger-artist/202003/anorexia-and-dietary-fat-brain-function-hunger-and-satiety

Yan, L. (2024). Exploring proteins: The building blocks of life essential for muscle growth, repair, immune function, and overall health in nutrition. 

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/22971-antibodies

 Medline Plus; National Library of Medicine. 

https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/understanding/howgeneswork/protein/

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/23309-human-growth-hormone-hgh

Dozio, E., Alonge, M., Tori, G., Caumo, A., Russo, R. G., Edoardo Scuttari, Fringuelli, L., & Terruzzi, I. (2025). Dynamic Nutrition Strategies for Anorexia Nervosa: Marker-Based Integration of Calories and Proteins. 

(3), 560–560. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17030560

The Importance of Carbs (and Fat): Understanding Your Body’s Needs in the Protein Craze

Going through treatment for anorexia nervosa can feel scary for many different reasons: 

, you’re eating regularly for the first time in a long time, and you’re facing the discomforting thoughts and emotions that you had been numbing with disordered behaviors. Another factor that can cause a lot of distress and anxiety? Extreme hunger in anorexia recovery.

Though not everyone goes through this, many people recovering from 

 report wanting to eat all the time, even shortly after finishing a meal. Some become concerned that they've swung from one end of the eating disorders spectrum to the other, going from restricting to bingeing.

Though it can feel unfamiliar and alarming, this extreme hunger during anorexia recovery is a normal biological response as the body replenishes and renourishes itself—and it's actually a positive thing. “Your body is resetting, it's healing, and you're getting closer to that baseline metabolic state that your body needs to get back into,” says Equip Lead Dietitian Stephanie Kile, MS, RDN. “From a clinical standpoint, that's the goal you're working toward. We want to honor and allow that healing to happen.”

Read on to learn about the link between anorexia recovery and extreme hunger, as well as how to manage both the hunger and any emotional distress it causes you or a loved one.

“Extreme hunger” in recovery doesn’t have a precise definition or specific criteria. “It's kind of a colloquial term used in treatment settings or among patients to describe what feels like constant hunger that shows up during treatment and recovery,” explains registered dietitian 

This hunger can present in many ways, including:

Feeling hungry within an hour of eating a balanced meal

Needing to eat larger servings of food to feel satisfied

Being so full your stomach is distended, yet still thinking about food and wanting to keep eating

”, or intrusive, insistent thoughts about food

All of this can cause fear and confusion. “It's such a scary feeling,” Kile says. “The patient never wanted to honor hunger, and now they have this overwhelming sense of hunger.” Anxiety, guilt, and shame are also common emotions. “The patient is coming from a place of, 'I used to have control around food, and now I'm eating all this food,'” Decker says.

If your loved one in anorexia recovery experiences extreme hunger, you may notice signs such as the following, Kile says:

Eating a greater variety of foods, including those they had stopped eating

Requests for foods they enjoyed in the past

If you observe changes like these, it’s important not to comment on them. “Let the person do what they need to do to fuel their body so they can keep feeding themselves,” Kile recommends. And if they express any negative emotions or seem troubled by how much they’re eating, you can tell them, “Your body is healing. We are trying to honor that, and so that's why you ate that food. It's not bad or good, it's what you needed.”

Is extreme hunger the same as binge eating?

Many patients who report extreme hunger in anorexia recovery express concerns that they are now binge eating. That's perfectly understandable—and it's also not what's going on.

 is not always but more often diagnosed under emotional aspects,” Kile says. “We lean toward food due to past comforts and things like that.” For those who binge eat, the behavior is often a coping mechanism, or a physiological response to short-term restriction. But for those recovering from anorexia, eating in response to extreme hunger is driven by a biological need for nourishment and for healing the body after a long period of malnourishment. “You are fueling your body in the way it needs to be fueled during this timespan of increased healing and increased needs,” Kile explains.

Why does extreme hunger occur in anorexia recovery?

As with many things related to eating disorders, there isn't one reason why extreme hunger occurs in anorexia recovery. Instead, several factors appear to be at play, including hypermetabolism, hormonal changes, an altered perception, and a person’s original body composition.

 Some patients experience increased metabolism when they shift from undereating to giving their body the nourishment it needs. “Your body is trying to heal and repair any damage previously done while also keeping you alive. It's saying, 'We need to replenish stores that were lost during your time of extreme restriction,' so your needs and your hunger increase,” Kile explains. Your body needs fuel so your brain, heart, digestive system, muscles, and everything else can return to optimal functioning. In response to getting more nourishment, your body is turning on systems that may have been turned off or in low power mode, which increases your energy needs.

 Anorexia leads to changes in the levels of different hormones that regulate hunger. Then, during recovery, these hormones reregulate: 

peptide tyrosine tyrosine (PYY) decreases

. As these levels normalize, “typical” hunger signals re-emerge. But at first, these signals may seem louder to someone who has been restricting and ignoring their body's messages to eat for some time.

 “Coming from a restriction background, your hunger during recovery might feel really extreme compared to what's been your baseline hunger,” Decker says. “This is normal.” Over time and with support from your care team, what seems extreme now may begin to seem more normal or acceptable.

, how much fat and muscle mass you lose during restriction may dictate your hunger. Your body wants to get back to your original levels of both, and sends signals to the brain to eat enough to achieve this goal.

How long does extreme hunger last in recovery?

Extreme hunger can last anywhere from a couple weeks to more than a year, Kile says. It all depends on the individual.

“In my experience, it's variable,” Decker says. “The longer you've been restricting, and if you are not fully committing to your recovery plan, the more it will be drawn out. You will be in that space of extreme hunger as you are gradually restoring your nutrient needs. Generally speaking, the sooner you dive into your recovery plan, the faster you will get through it, because you're giving your body what it needs.”

Is extreme hunger associated with any other eating disorders?

While extreme hunger is most associated with anorexia, it can occur after any long-term restriction. Since 

most eating disorders are ultimately rooted in restriction

, this means it can show up in any eating disorder diagnosis.

Although having extreme hunger can be overwhelming, there are ways to manage both the actual hunger and any emotional distress (or to support a loved one dealing with extreme hunger).

This typically includes eating three meals a day and anywhere from three to five snacks. “Eating every three to five hours will help you stay on top of that hunger and make it less daunting to eat the volume of food you're consuming,” Kile says. Having balanced meals and snacks—with a mix of carbs, fat, and protein—will also help you feel fuller.

If you want ice cream, have it, even if you haven't in years. Since that may stir up a lot of anxiety, you might work with your registered dietitian or therapist to explore why you haven't had it in so long, why it feels scary to eat it, and how you could incorporate it into your meal plan.

Work with a therapist or dietitian who is informed about anorexia and can explain what is going on, Kile suggests. They can also help you address any guilt, shame, or anxiety. And have a support system—like your parents, a partner, or a friend—who can listen when you simply need to get the thoughts out of your head. This can help your emotions feel less overwhelming—or even silly.

Puzzles, playing games, watching TV, reading a book, and drawing are all 

 of any anxiety during a meal. Afterward, a hot shower, walk in nature, or dancing to your favorite music may help.

Many people find deep breathing to be helpful when emotions have their mind abuzz. Others like meditation or 

If you honor your body’s biological need for more nutrition, this extreme hunger will lessen as it recovers, Kile says. Be compassionate with yourself and give yourself the grace to feel all that you feel while exploring a freer way of eating.

Anorexia recovery and extreme hunger don't have to be feared

As scary as it might seem, extreme hunger is a natural and expected part of anorexia recovery. After a period of restriction, your body needs to repair and replenish, so your nutritional needs are greater. “Your body is kind of making up for lost time,” Decker says. In turn, it turns up the volume on your hunger so you get the message: “I need more food!” This isn’t weakness, or failure—it’s healing.

You can get through this, and the sooner you can respect your own hunger and follow your meal plan, the sooner it will quiet down. If you don't already have support, working with both a therapist and a registered dietitian who understand and have experience helping patients with anorexia can be a gamechanger. A therapist can help you work through the emotional and mental challenges, and a dietitian can help you identify balanced meals and snacks and set a regular eating schedule to get ahead of extreme hunger.

Recovery is possible, and before you know it, your hunger won’t seem as scary.

Haas, Verena, et al. “Leptin and body weight regulation in patients with anorexia nervosa before and during weight recovery.” American Journal of Clinical Nutrition vol. 81,4 (2005):889-96. 

Otto, B, et al. “Weight gain decreases elevated plasma ghrelin concentrations of patients with anorexia nervosa.” European Journal of Endocrinology vol. 145,5 (2001):669-73. 

Heruc, Gabriella A, et al. “Appetite Perceptions, Gastrointestinal Symptoms, Ghrelin, Peptide YY and State Anxiety Are Disturbed in Adolescent Females with Anorexia Nervosa and Only Partially Restored with Short-Term Refeeding." Nutrients vol. 11,1 (2019):59. 

Dulloo, Abdul G. “Physiology of weight regain: Lessons from the classic Minnesota Starvation Experiment on human body composition regulation.” Obesity Reviews vol. 22,S2 (2021):e13189. 