Frequently Asked Questions about the CPC Day Program

During Day Program meals, do I have to finish everything on my plate?

Eating disorders rob the body of its natural awareness of hunger and fullness.  Critical to recovery is the ability to accurately interpret hunger and fullness cues and respond to these signals appropriately.  The singular way to reinstate reliable hunger and fullness cues is to eat consistently throughout the day, including all meals and snacks.  In this way, the body begins to trust that it will be nourished, and is able to reliably signal for when it is hungry and when it is full, enabling the body to maintain a healthy, stable weight.  Additionally, in the early stages of recovery, conflict about food consumption and fear about whether one is eating the “right amount” continue to impact intake.  Until faulty beliefs and attitudes about appropriate eating are completely worked through, completion of meals may continue to be influenced by the eating disorder.  For these reasons, at CPC, patients are required to complete 100% of the meals and snacks that are designed, prepared and served to meet their needs.  By completing each meal and snack in full, patients do not have to fear under-eating or over-eating.  That said, as our patients progress through treatment, we encourage meal experiences in which more intuitive eating may be practiced in authentic settings such as local restaurants.  Our patients find that these dining out experiences, supervised by a CPC therapist or nutritionist, are integral in fostering a deeper sense of autonomy in their relationships with food as they are able to determine their hunger and fullness level and total amount eaten on their own.