Holiday time can be really stressful for patients with eating disorders - here is what to do

From Mayo Clinic YouTube channel:

For people with eating disorders such as binge eating disorder, bulimia nervosa and anorexia nervosa, the holiday season can be a nightmare.

People with eating disorders usually begin to worry about food consumption at holiday gatherings weeks sometimes even months - before the event, says Leslie Sim, Ph.D., clinical director of the Mayo Clinic Eating Disorders Program. "It's really a stressful time because there are large amounts of food around."

Dr. Sim suggests a few tips to navigate through holiday gatherings:

- Have a plan. People with eating disorders should eat like they would on a normal day and not skip any meals. Make sure to eat breakfast, lunch, and a light snack in addition to the meal. People who starve themselves are more likely to skip out on the meal entirely or engage in binge eating.

- If family or friends know someone is struggling with an eating disorder, it's not a good idea to comment on their weight during a holiday gathering. Even a compliment can be taken the wrong way.

- If you're hosting a holiday gathering with plenty of food, don't take offense if someone doesn't eat.

- People with eating disorders should have a coping strategy if they begin to feel stressed during a gathering. Such tactics include deep breathing, meditation and talking to a close friend of family member.