Meal Support Program
The Meal Support Program makes getting free, accessible, and eating disorder informed meal support possible for anyone at the outpatient level of care over 16 that resides in the United States.
Through Project HEAL's partnership with Clinician’s Incubator, you may apply for free, weekly, virtual, meal support. Meal support sessions are live, facilitated, virtual drop-in group meals creating a safe space for those at an outpatient stage of eating disorder recovery to consume nutrition with extra support. All meal support sessions are facilitated by nutrition practitioners within the Clinician’s Incubator training program who are in process of obtaining their CNS certification. A CNS certification requires a graduate degree, extensive supervision and board approval and is an advanced nutrition credential eligible for licensure in most states.
What is Meal Support?
Meal support is simply having someone present during meals to offer assistance. People with eating disorders often experience anxiety when it comes to eating in general or to specific types of food. This heightened anxiety frequently leads to avoidance or the adoption of compensatory behaviors.
However, recovery necessitates consuming regular meals that have a wide range of foods. It can be challenging to navigate meal times due to the anxiety and persistent thoughts surrounding food. Having support during these moments can be truly transformative.
How does the program work?
Each meal support session operates as a drop-in style, and you will be joined by a Clinician's Incubator Facilitator and others around the country who are also participating in this program. At each meal support session, expect to briefly check in and evaluate hunger/fullness cues, and then the duration of the session will be spent eating together. You will come prepared with food that you intend to eat, but no other preparation is necessary on your part.
Is the Meal Support Program for you?
This is not urgent care or a crisis support program. For crisis support, please text HEALING to 741741 or call emergency services.
The Meal Support Program is for you if…
you are medically stable
you are at outpatient level (not in need of a Higher Level of Care)
you find you could use extra support outside of your weekly therapy and nutrition appointments when it comes to meal time
you are seeking communal support in your healing journey
sometimes your hunger and fullness cues are tricky to navigate on your own
You must have access to…
a phone, tablet or computer and are able to use video
a quiet space to eat
food - whether it’s prepared at home or takeout
Read how meal support can help encourage recovery here.
Information sourced from “Nourish Your Recovery: The Vital Role of Meal Support in Eating Disorder Treatment” by Alyson Roux, , MS CNS LDN MFA
If you have attended a Meal Support group and have feedback about the experience, whether positive or negative, we want to hear from you!
Why Project HEAl x Clinician’s Incubator?
Our Meal Support Program addresses the need for outpatient eating disorder meal support for people with all levels of financial need. Built for the purpose of empowering early career nutrition professionals, Clinician’s Incubator directly addresses the lack of eating-disorder-informed nutrition providers. In alignment with our values, this partnership with Clinician’s Incubator supports Project HEAL’s mission to break down barriers to eating disorder healing by creating access to long-term, community care.
About Clinician’s Incubator:
Clinician's Incubator was founded in 2018 with one goal: Mentor nutrition providers to be radically client-centered and understand eating behavior and evidence-based practice through the Signature Supervision Program for CNS® Candidates, and Nested Health Coach Certification®.
All Meal Support Facilitators have a minimum of a Masters of Science in Nutrition and have post graduate training with Clinician’s Incubator in trauma-informed care, Intuitive Eating, weight inclusive nutrition practice, and medical nutrition therapy for clients with disordered eating, eating disorders, and mental health diagnoses. Facilitators receive individual and small group supervision to increase coaching and counseling skills.
To create well rounded knowledge, they receive training in:
Mental Health Nutrition
Disordered Eating and Weight Inclusive Care
Eating Disorder Medical Nutrition Therapy
Nutrition Support for Stress Physiology
Nutrition for Gastrointestinal Disorders: Motility, Autoimmune
Cardiometabolic Nutrition
Nutrition Support for Thyroid Disorders
Nutrition to Support Sleep
Chronic Pain & Nutrition
Pregnancy & Lactation Nutrition Therapy
Reproductive Hormones and Nutrition Therapy
To begin the meal support process, please fill out the link below. Specific questions related to the program can be addressed to alyson@nutritionhive.health.