Navigating Parenthood and Eating Disorders with Dina Cohen, MS, RDN, CEDS-C
Parenthood can be both beautiful and stressful.
Firstly, it’s okay to admit that. There are no sick days, there is no PTO, you work 24/7 shifts and you get paid nothing. It’s sometimes a thankless job, and you’ll never get a break. But, it’s the toughest job you will ever love.
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If we really dive into the rut of parenting, it can feel incredibly overwhelming, and sometimes it’s enough to send someone into a downward spiral. However, it’s hard to prepare for something like this. Until you actually become a parent, you can’t really explain to someone what it’s like to be one.
The unconditional love we have for our families can be incredibly healing, especially for those who have struggled with eating disorders. Parenthood, with its inherent love and acceptance, can serve as a powerful motivator for recovery. Yet, as much as we cherish these moments, we also recognize the challenges they bring, particularly for individuals with eating disorders.
Dina Cohen, MS, RDN, CEDS-C is a nutrition therapist who specializes in pediatric nutrition and the treatment of eating disorders. She is the founder of EatWellSoon, a nutrition counseling practice in Lakewood, NJ dedicated to helping individuals and families develop lifelong healthy habits and a positive relationship with food. Dina's favorite thing to do is help prevent eating disorders before they ever happen, and she speaks in schools, pediatrician's offices, and mental health clinics about eating disorder prevention and awareness. Dina lives with her husband, four daughters, and lots of talking in Toms River, NJ, where she learns new things about food every day.
Dina and I are both mothers, and we both treat eating disorders. We’re coming at this from both a personal and professional place.
In this episode, we’re talking about:
Parenthood being both beautiful and stressful for those with eating disorders.
Body image issues intensify during pregnancy and postpartum.
Flexibility and adaptability required in parenthood.
Learning to let go of control and accept changes.
Preparing for potential disruptions in advance.
Children operating on a different wavelength and often doing things in their own time.
Managing expectations of motherhood.
The importance of making time for self-care, despite the demands of motherhood.
Recognizing the unique timeline and needs of children.
The risk of developing eating disorders in motherhood.
Strategies for self-care.
The role of food in family dynamics and the importance of connection over strict dietary rules.
How motherhood can serve as a catalyst for addressing one's own eating disorder habits.
The challenges and pressures faced by parents in promoting healthy relationships with food for their children.
Tweetable Quotes
"It's definitely true that kids are on a different timeline starting from when they're newborn." - Dina Cohen
"Recovery from an eating disorder is so, so hard, but you're really getting your bang for your buck because it's going to make other things in your life easier and better." - Dina Cohen
"I've found it pretty helpful is that beforehand, before the crisis happens, think about how you can be flexible in upcoming situations." - Rachelle Heinemann
"Sometimes we have these hangups of, I want my kids to be nourished well, I want them to have foods with lots of nutrients, a whole balanced meal, and sometimes, maybe, all the time, when you have lots of kids running around, it's really hard to do that." - Rachelle Heinemann
"If mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy, and you have to make the time for yourself because otherwise it's not just you who's going to suffer, everybody's going to suffer." - Dina Cohen
Resources
Sign up for my Basics of Assessing & Treating Eating Disorders Webinar
You can find Dina at https://www.eatwellsoonrd.com/.
Related Episodes
Episode 75. Mothers and Daughters with Judith Ruskay Rabinor Ph.D.
Episode 61. Why Your Past Matters
Episode 45. Basics of Intuitive Eating
Episode 44. Red flags and Warning Signs
Episode 35. Finding Joy in Your Relationship with Food with Yaffi Lvova, RDN
Episode 01. Stuff You Should Know About Eating Disorders & Disordered Eating
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Hey there! I’m Rachelle, the host of the Understanding Disordered Eating Podcast. As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, I work with clients to make sense of life’s messy emotional experiences.
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