Jersey’s only eating disorder support charity is urging islanders to consider how they approach food, bodies and appearance this Christmas.

The festive period can be a difficult time for those struggling with food due to its particular focus on eating and drinking.

Jersey Eating Disorders Support has shared recommendations to support those who may be struggling…

Preparation

  • Talk openly and honestly amongst the family about how you are feeling about Christmas in advance.
  • Avoid comparing this Christmas with other years.
  • Adjust social media interaction if this creates pressure to have a ‘perfect’ Christmas.
  • Emphasise non food-related traditions like decorating, going shopping or going for a walk.

Friends and family

  • Perhaps focus on inviting close relatives and consider who you or your loved one may be most comfortable with. Think about whether anyone may feel anxious about inviting someone you haven’t seen in a while who could comment on people’s appearances.
  • Consider seeing family in less food focused settings, for example, going for family walks or informally ‘dropping in’ on family members.
  • Speak to relatives beforehand about any comments which might be uncomfortable for you or your loved one; even comments like “you look well” may be misinterpreted by a person with an eating disorder to suggest weight gain and so it may be best to avoid comments about appearance.
  • Comments about other people’s appearances and New Years diets can also be unhelpful, as well as mentioning how much food people have eaten, for example “I’m stuffed” or “Aren’t you doing well?”
  • Someone with an eating disorder may be more withdrawn than normal, and it is important for relatives to expect this.

Christmas dinner

  • It might be useful to have a plan for the meal beforehand. For example, deciding that one person will plate up the meat and potatoes for everyone. This way, someone struggling has an agreed upon portion of protein and carbohydrates, a choice of vegetables and is not ‘singled out’ as having their meal in a different way to others.
  • It might be useful for someone with an eating disorder to sit next to a designated supporter, and some people find it useful to copy their supporter’s portions.
  • Perhaps have an activity planned for after the meal, such as playing a board game or watching a film.

Jersey Eating Disorders Support recommends that people focus “on what truly matters this festive season rather than appearance weight or comparison”.

The charity added: “Children pick up on these conversations. Hearing adults label foods as ‘naughty’ or ‘good’, or talk about needing to burn off meals, can shape how they view food and their bodies from a very young age. All foods can fit within a balanced diet, and language really matters.”

Additional advice can be found here.