March is National Nutrition Month: What is the Plate Method and Why Do We Use It?
Contributed by EDRS Registered Dietitian: Tanisha Bandoo, MS, RDN, CDN/LDN, RYT
Different Nutrition Methods for ED Recovery: Plate-by-Plate Approach
When it comes to eating disorder (ED) recovery, there are several nutritional methods available, but not all of them are equally effective in fostering long-term healing. Traditional approaches often rely on counting calories, measuring food portions, or using exchange systems—methods that, while structured, can sometimes reinforce rigid thinking patterns around food.
A growing alternative that has gained traction, particularly in Family-Based Treatment (FBT), is the Plate-by-Plate Approach. This method offers a simple, visual way to ensure adequate nutrition without the stress of numbers. It provides a practical framework for both adolescents and adults in recovery, helping to ease the transition toward intuitive eating.
Why We at EDRS Use the Plate By Plate As Our Go-To Method:
At EDRS, we believe that recovery should be both structured and flexible, allowing individuals and families to navigate eating disorder recovery without the added burden of calculations and rigid food rules. While Registered Dietitians at EDRS may suggest a customized meal guide for you based on your needs, the Plate-by-Plate Approach is an option that aligns with our philosophy of fostering a positive relationship with food while ensuring nutritional adequacy. This method empowers caregivers and individuals by providing a clear yet adaptable framework, reducing the stress that often accompanies meal planning during recovery. By emphasizing visual balance and flexibility, we help guide individuals toward sustainable, long-term eating habits that support both physical and mental well-being.
The Plate-by-Plate Approach is particularly beneficial in ED recovery for several reasons:
- Reduces rigidity and stress: Measuring food or counting calories can feel overwhelming, especially for parents helping an adolescent through recovery. The Plate-by-Plate method offers a balanced meal framework without requiring specific measurements, making it easier to implement.
- Supports intuitive eating development: By focusing on plating a variety of foods in appropriate portions, this method helps individuals reconnect with their body’s natural hunger and fullness cues over time. This is particularly important for rebuilding interoceptive awareness—the ability to recognize internal signals like hunger and satiety.
Adaptable to different eating disorders: Whether someone is recovering from anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), binge eating disorder (BED), or avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), the Plate-by-Plate method can be tailored to their specific nutritional needs.
The Two Plate Types
The Plate-by-Plate approach includes two different types of plates (see image), depending on the individual’s nutritional goals:
- 50% Grains/Starches Plate – Used for increased energy needs, weight restoration, weight maintenance, most adolescents, athletes, physically healing, intuitively eating. This plate consists of:
- 50% grains/starches
- 25% protein
- 25% fruits/vegetables
- Dairy and fats added to each meal
- Example meal: A full plate with pasta (50%), grilled chicken (25%), steamed broccoli (25%), with a side of whole milk and buttered bread.
- 33% Grains/Starches Plate – Used for weight maintenance, younger children, adults, if an individual is purging, intuitively eating. This plate consists of:
- 33% grains/starches
- 33% protein
- 33% fruits/vegetables
- Dairy and fats added to each meal
Example meal: A plate with quinoa (33%), salmon (33%), roasted carrots and green beans (33%), plus a serving of yogurt with nuts.
Phases of Recovery in FBT (For Adolescents)
FBT follows three structured phases for adolescents in recovery:
- Phase 1: Weight and Health Restoration
- Parents take full control of meal preparation and plating
- Focus on weight restoration and medical stabilization
- Phase 2: Transitioning Control to the Adolescent
- Gradual reintroduction of autonomy in food choices
- Continued weight restoration or stabilization
- Phase 3: Full Autonomy and Relapse Prevention
- Adolescents make independent food choices with parental support
- Continued monitoring for long-term stability
FAQs About the Plate-by-Plate Method
How do you ensure adequate nutrition without measuring? The approach is based on visual portioning rather than numbers. Using the plate as a guide, individuals get the right balance of nutrients without needing to count calories.
How does this work for those with fear foods? Gradual exposure to previously avoided foods is encouraged. The flexible yet structured nature of the plate method supports overcoming fear foods at a manageable pace.
How does this support long-term recovery? Unlike rigid meal plans, the Plate-by-Plate Approach allows for a smoother transition to intuitive eating by promoting variety and reducing anxiety around food choices.
Final Thoughts
The Plate-by-Plate Approach offers a practical, sustainable, and stress-reducing way to support ED recovery. By shifting the focus away from numbers and toward nourishment, it empowers individuals and families to prioritize healing over perfection.
If you or someone you know could benefit from our nutrition services, reach out to admissions@edrs.com today!
Resource: Wendy Sterling, MS, RD, CSSD, Casey Crosbie, RD, CSSD, Susanne Martin, MD, “The Use of the Plate-by-Plate Approach for Adolescents Undergoing Family-Based Treatment.” Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 2019.
