Medically supervised diets play an essential role in treating anorexia nervosa. If the person is severely malnourished, they may need to be fed through a tube or intravenously to prevent the electrolyte imbalances that can occur from eating too much too quickly after a period of starvation. However, this isn’t a concern for every person, and some evidence suggests that it’s safe to rapidly increase food intake with thorough supervision to manage electrolyte levels.[1][2]
How could diet affect anorexia nervosa?
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•Last Updated: May 16, 2025
Medically supervised diets are crucial in treating anorexia nervosa, especially for individuals who are severely malnourished because they may require tube or intravenous feeding to avoid electrolyte imbalances. However, with proper supervision, some individuals may safely increase food intake rapidly after a period of starvation.