Drinking calories to restore weight is very common in eating disorder treatment. ED patients are often required to eat a high number of calories, and that can be a challenging feat—for both the body and the mind. But liquids go down easier. They take up less room in the stomach. Not to mention that they’re a lot less intimidating than a slice of cake or a piece of pizza, even if the caloric value is similar.
I, myself, have had to “drink my calories” on quite a few occasions, from supplementing meals with Ensures to choking down thick protein shakes multiple times a day at my first residential treatment center. Just last year, when I returned home from college fifteen pounds lighter than when I’d left, I drank sixteen ounces of chocolate milk with lunch and dinner until I was back in my normal range.
And it’s always worked. Sure, I’ve fought it—once going so far as to hurl a milkshake across the room (would not recommend)—but consuming calories in the form of beverages has proven to be an effective and not-too-painful way to put the pounds on.
That said, there have been repercussions. Doctors and nutritionists focus so much on the pros of this weight restoration method that they often ignore or simply don’t consider the psychological effects of consuming thousands of calories via liquids can have on a patient. To this day, five years after discharging from that aforementioned RTC, I still have trouble consuming—much less enjoying—milkshakes because I associate them with that painful experience. The best way I can describe it is that it’s like a switch goes off in my mind, which in turn triggers a physical response in my stomach similar to a really unpleasant stomachache.
I hope that one day, I’ll be able to drink a milkshake without experiencing this maybe-physical-maybe-psychological reaction (I mean, at this point who knows which it is?). That’s not the case at present, but I’m getting there by continuing to challenge myself every now and then. If there’s something else treatment has taught me, it’s that exposure is key to combating anxiety and overcoming obstacles.
My advice to anyone who’s currently weight restoring is to drink calories and, if you can, drink them in moderation. Sometimes, only consuming liquids is a necessary evil for healing, but, like we always preach on Nourish, balance is ideal. For years, I’ve struggled to obtain balance in my diet, and although I still have adverse reactions to certain foods or drinks (like milkshakes), it’s gotten so much better.
– Julia
Nourish 
I once read about an actor who needed to gain weight for a role, so he melted Hagen Daas and drank it like a milkshake. I imagine they were delicious and did a great job helping him gain weight haha
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Oh my god! I don’t know if I could stomach that haha but it sounds like it helped him. Actors sure do insane things to gain/lose weight!
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I looked it up and it was Ryan Gosling lol. I guess he didn’t even get the roll after gaining 60 pounds of ice cream weight. Oh dear
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Oh no! If I didn’t get the role after going through all of that, I’d be crushed!
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Oh my! drinking calories – this is a new term for me. But moderation is the key.
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Haha I hadn’t heard of it either until I went into treatment. Then it was all anyone talked about!
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Photo is the best plug for the strawberry shake recipe. Which, by the way, is scrumptious. Difficult for many to fully understand having to “restore” weight. Knowing it is a problem for some makes others (me anyway) more aware of differences in people and lifestyle. Me – as a kid always active and had to (without thinking of it) pack away a lot of grub to keep moving. Chores, sports, that kind of thing. Now very much past all that it’s is a struggle to keep the weight down, stay regular with rigorous exercise which I find is best when it’s not just activity, but “training” – focusing on a particular need – weak back muscles, neglected lower legs, core, that kind of thing. Whatever your need, recognize it and keep at it. It will become automatic after a while. Shoot, I’ve found my self opting for broccoli or spinach instead of fries or a cookie. Whooda thought? Thanks for a good read.
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You’re very welcome! I’m glad you enjoyed the milkshake by the way 🙂 Restoring weight is certainly difficult but having good foods/drinks around makes it a lot better.
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Drinking your calories used to be so brutal for you. I’m glad that you shared it on Nourish.
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I want to thank you for you continued honesty and openness about your ED! Your journey gives me so much hope for my 15 year old daughter! I love getting your posts and trying your recipes for her. She’s gonna try your strawberry milkshake this week:) A HUGE milestone for her! Keep inspiring others to see that recovery is possible and so much better than the alternative!
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Thank you so much, Sarah! This makes me so happy to hear. The biggest reason why I’m open about my ED is to hopefully help people who are battling the same demons I was not too long ago. I wish your daughter all the best and am confident that if I could get to the other side so can she!
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I hope I never have to drink my calories. I like to eat real food. I am not fond of smoothies or shakes. Sometimes when I don’t have time to eat, I will make a plant based protein drink.
Sorry you had to go through this.
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