Eating Disorder Treatment Programs & Services, New York City

Nutrition and Cooking Workshops, and Supermarket Tours

Yoga Therapy in the Treatment of Eating Disorders at CPC in New York City.

 

In addition to individual nutrition counseling, we encourage our patients to participate in our experiential nutrition and cooking workshops in which they gain hands-on, practical experience in meal preparation from start to finish. Patients work with our nutrition and foodservice team to develop menus, shop for ingredients, and prepare balanced, tasteful meals which they enjoy as a group in our dining room. This eating experience is guided by our clinical and culinary nutritionists and is a supported therapeutic experience.

The nutrition and cooking workshops are limited to 2-4 participants in carefully formed pairs to ensure that each patient receives significant attention every step of the way. Additionally, we aim to cater the workshop to each patient’s particular nutrition needs and goals. Recognizing that food preparation may be challenging and stressful, we try to create a calm atmosphere and introduce a sense of play and exploration in the kitchen.

Patients are encouraged to explore their personal preferences and meal preparation is a truly collaborative experience. Furthermore, our nutrition and cooking workshops provide an environment in which our patients are able to learn, practice, and become more comfortable with appropriate food selection at the supermarket, in the kitchen, and at the table in a safe environment where questions are encouraged and challenges, fears and anxieties that arise are discussed. Supermarket tours are individualized to address specific areas of concern for each patient.

Food and nutrition myths are dispelled and patients gain exposure to a wide variety of foods - some new and some challenging-, which are then incorporated into balanced and nourishing meals and meal plans. A well-rounded educational experience, the nutrition and cooking workshops are designed to teach patients basic shopping and food preparation skills that they can utilize outside of CPC, further enhancing skill sets for self-care and an autonomous nutrition lifestyle.