On-Campus Resources
Student Health Center: (206) 296-6300
Wellness and Health Promotion: (206)
220-8450
Counseling and Psychological Serices:
(206) 296-6090
Disability Services: (206) 296-5740
Campus ministry: (206) 296-6075
Off-Campus Resources
Momentum Nutrition & Fitness: (206) 696-
4386
Emily Program: (206) 283-2220
Evidence Base Treatment Centers of
Seattle: (206) 374-0109
Opal: Food + Body Wisdom: (206) 926-
9087
Center for Discovery, Residential
Treatment for Eating Disorders: (425) 954-
2465
Readings for People Struggling with
Eating Disorders
"Surviving an Eating Disorder,
Strategies for Friends and Family" by
Michele Siegel, Judith Brisman, and
Margot Weinshel
"Life Without ED", by Jennifer Schaefer
"Intuitive Eating" by Evelyn Tribole
and Elyse Resch
Online Resources
NationalEatingDisorders.org
ChooseMyPlate.gov
If you feel like you or someone you know is
struggling with mental health issues, please
visit this website to take a brief screening:
SeattleU.edu/screening
For a friend...
If you feel that someone you know is
struggling with an eating disorder
Food,
and/or its related issues, there are
people waiting to help. Disordered
eating can be a damaging, life-
School, and
threatning condition, and should be
addressed as soon as possible.
You
Making the first phone call or visit can
be extremeley difficult, but one that
could change that person’s life,
forever. Be an ally, offer to eat with
your loved one, be a trustworthy
source of comfort for them, and know
that their struggles are not your fault.
For you...
If you feel as though you are struggling with
an eating disorder and/or its related issues,
know that recovery is possible. Disordered
eating can be a damaging, life-threatning
condition, and should be addressed as soon
as possible. Making the first phone call or
visit to a clinic can be extremeley difficult, but
are decisions that could change your life
forever. Know that normal eating is flexible,
and can vary dependening upon your hunger
levels, schedule, your proximity to food, and
your emotional well-being. Identifying your A COLLECTION OF
triggers can be beneficial in becoming more
aware of them. Take comfort in knowing that RESOURCES AND
you can get help anonymously if that is INFORMATION FOR
something you are most comfortable with.
Find one person to be your buddy, your
PEOPLE STRUGGLING
confidant that you are comfortable talking to WITH EATING DISORDERS
about your struggles.You are strong,
resilient, and recovery is possible. Keep on
AND THEIR RELATED
keeping on. ISSUES
What are eating disorders?
According to the National Eating
Disorders Association, eating disorders
are complex
conditions that arise from a combination
of long–standing behavioral, biological,
emotional, psychological, interpersonal,
and social factors. While eating disorders
typically begin with preoccupations with
food and weight, they are often about
much more than food.
In some instances, dieting, bingeing, and
purging may begin as a way to cope with
one’s emotions in order to feel in control
of one’s life. Ultimately, these behaviors
will damage a person’s physical and
emotional health, self–esteem, and sense
of competence and control. Foruntaely,
with appropriate treatment, people do
recover from eating disorders and go on
to live healthy, fulfilling lives.
What are eating disorders?
While eating disorders present
themselves in many different ways, here
are a few common occurances that you
may notice in yourself or a friend
struggling with disordered eating:
dramatic weight loss
preoccupied with food, weight,
calories
has strong need for control
makes frequent comments about
“feeling” or “looking" fat
denies feeling hungry
withdrawls from usual friend, and
activities, and becomes more isolated
maintains an excessive exercise
regimine, regardless of weather,
fatigue, illness, or injury
Eating on a Budget
The transition that occurs when a person
moves away from home, or from their
previous environment, to attend a
college or university comes with its many
adjustments, one of which being
providing food for one's self. Here are
some tips and tricks from
ChooseMyPlate.gov for how to provide
food for yourself, while staying within
your budget:
create a grocery game plan: planning
weekly meals and preparing a grocery
list before heading to the store can
help you get organized, save money,
and choose healthy options.
save more at the store: eat before you
shop! Shopping while hungry
encourages spending.
grab from the back: grocery stores
typically stock shelves from back to
front, meaning that the items in the
back will expire later, and haven’t
been handled as much by other
customers. Use this method especially
when purchasing meats, produce, and
dairy.
shop smart to fill your cart: make sure
you understand the price tag by doing
a simple online search so you have all
the facts about the products you are
buying.
Problems with "The Freshman 15"
Many of us have heard of “the freshman
15”, which suggests that it’s typical for a
college student to gain about 15 pounds
during their first year of college. This
phrase alone sets a problematic standard
that is engrained in many students'
brains. Language like this suggests that
there's a way that the majority of people
experience something, meaning that if
you are experiencing it differently,
you're the odd one out. Don't let such
problematic standards like this get to
you... be aware of the influences around
you and how they can turn into potential
triggers!
Allergies? Dietary Restrictions?
While SU offers an impressive variety of
food options for the school community,
some students may struggle with
allergies or other dietary restrictions on
top of trying to have a healthy
relationship with food. If this is the case
for you, call or visit Disabilities Services
to get on-campus support in your daily
student life. Their office can be of
assistance in adjusting your meal plan
accordingly, and offering further
resources for your dietary needs.