Is fast food good for recovery? What foods are ok to eat in recovery?

I know it's not healthy, but I'm a 16 year old guy, 5'6 1/2 or 5'7 and weigh 90 pounds. I have to eat 3500+ calories a day and sometimes it's hard to get that much without things like fast food...so I was wondering if it's something I should consider every once in a while? Thanks

Original Post by peanutbutterdingo:

I'm a 16 year old boy who is 5'6 1/2 or 5'7. I weigh 90 pounds and am currently recovering from anorexia...I was just wondering what food is ok to eat in recovery? What if all I ate one day was junk? I feel kind of bad...my ED is getting to me...today I've had:

BREAKFAST: 2 large eggs, 2 slices of toast with jelly, some mango juice

LUNCH: Bologna sandwich with some sunchips and ice cream

SNACK: A clementine with almonds and cashews

DINNER: 2 slices of pizza, a brownie, and a can of ginger ale

I feel like I've gone overboard, but is this just my ED getting to me? I need some reassurance.

What's ok to eat in recovery? What if all I eat one day is junk? That can't be good for me can it? I'm confused. Some people say it's good but I don't know.

Noooo! Thats jusy a slippery slope in the other direction! You can get plenty of calories in cheese nuts pasta peanut butter protien shakes ect. If you are trying to gain up to a healthy weight please dont put your body through more trauma! Think of fast food as poison because that is what it is....

Original Post by maxyellis:

Noooo! Thats jusy a slippery slope in the other direction! You can get plenty of calories in cheese nuts pasta peanut butter protien shakes ect. If you are trying to gain up to a healthy weight please dont put your body through more trauma! Think of fast food as poison because that is what it is....

i actually disagree, this person is trying to develop  a healthy relationship with food, therefore telling them something is poison creates a disturbing relationship. fast food is ok in everyones diet every now and then, never does any one harm. (unless its all you eat)

Hi there,

I'm glad to hear that you are embracing recovery.

You might actually find yourself craving fast food and sweets/crisps (candy/chips if you're in the US) during recovery even if you weren't a fan before ED. This is what I have found. I've never been a fan of sweet/rich foods in the past, more a savoury fan but during throughout recovery I have had strong cravings for chocolate and icecream. I think it's the body's way of trying to take in essential fats and high calories that it has missed out on during starvation.

Anything in moderation is fine. If these are the foods that you enjoy, then have some. Do be aware that some fast foods are addictive, so perhaps avoid having them every day. They are a good way of getting high calories intakes needed for recovery and if you do enjoy them then also a good way of learning how to treat yourself and a good challenge for developing a healthy relationship with food and feeding yourself.

There are other calorie dense foods that you should also eat during recovery as they are very good for you and contain the essential vitamins and minerals that you need including peanut butter, avocado, sweet potato, nuts, fruit juice, dried fruit, banana, full fat yoghurt, milk, coconut milk, granola mixes / muesli. You can also drink protein shakes / ensure. Cook foods in plenty of olive oil. Don't eat low fat anything and don't eat foods that are low in calorie and high in bulk as you'll be making the job of getting the calories in hard on yourself.

Good luck!

Love Suzi xx

response from very similar, related thread/topic (see quote box in originating comment)

Original Post by halfwaytobeautiful:

There are no foods that are off limits in general, and this is especially true for someone recovering from an ED. Everything is good in moderation. Too much of anything can have negative side effects. This is just your ED getting to you, love! What you ate today is fine, maybe even add more food! I don't think what you ate today is unhealthy in the least bit, seems like a pretty balanced diet! The more you eat, the quicker your brain can start healing once your body repairs all the damage done to your internal organs.  xx