Frequently Asked Questions about the CPC Day Program

Do you use an exchange system for menu planning in your Day Program?

While the structure and organization of an exchange-based meal planning system may feel enormously containing, especially on an inpatient unit or in a residential setting, we do not feel this system is appropriate for our outpatient setting.  We believe such close adherence to an exchange eating plan leads to rigid (and at times awkward) meal composition, a calculated eating style, and difficulty eating in normal social settings.  Instead, at CPC, our meal program is based on mindful, intuitive eating practices that emphasize a balance of macronutrients (carbohydrate, protein, and fat) and micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) at every meal.  That said we absolutely understand that patients who have been using an exchange-based meal system in their treatment before admitting to CPC may benefit from continued use of these plans during their transition into our program.  In these instances we fully support appropriate exchange plans with the goal of discussing the potential to move away from such a system in time, when the patient feels secure enough to do so.