By IFEED Member Robyn Goldberg, RDN, CEDRD-S
Reviewed for IFEED by Janice Baker
The Eating Disorder Trap is a guide for clinicians and the loved ones of those with eating disorders and disordered eating. It is a reference and resource for clarifying the many facets, complications, and considerations in supporting those struggling across the lifespan.
In my 37 years of practice as an RDN, this is a book that I wish was part of my early undergraduate curriculum, and would have been a great influence in how I have practiced. However, since research and awareness of eating disorders were very sparse and under recognized, I’ve been reading and learning from respected colleagues and professionals in this area for the past 16 years. The Eating Disorder Trap is a valuable addition to my library on this topic. In fact, while recently working with a patient who was quite ill with a 30 year history of AN with misdiagnoses and in the past year medically stabilized and in excellent recovery, I read parts of the book to her to address her MDs concern about how her hypercholesterolemia is putting her at risk of relapse (specifically pages 94 and 120). This is just one example why I will be keeping The Eating Disorder Trap very handy as a resource.
Robyn Goldberg, RND, CEDRD-S has an impressive background. Her qualifications for writing this book include working in cardiology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, working in private practice in Beverly Hills, California specializing in eating disorders treatment and Health at Every Size, credentialing as a Certified Eating Disorder Registered Dietitian and Supervisor from IAEDP and Certified Intuitive Eating Disorder Counselor, and several publications and media appearances.
Specific parts of this book that resonated with me are a review of the perspective of our eating disorder patients and the absolute need for compassion, reflection, and understanding. Page 18, which I have marked as an essential component of working with all of my patients, even outside of those with eating disorders, helps to respectfully uncover our patients’ goals and values. This is a stark contrast to what many people have been exposed to in the typical “wellness and diet” culture.
The Eating Disorder Trap is well organized. It is physically small and compact enough that I can have this by my side to review and reference for my practice. The tone of the book is factual, supportive, and straightforward. Explanations of nutrition science concepts are clear and useful for those with a variety of educational backgrounds. This will be an excellent educational addition to an undergraduate college program in health sciences including nutrition science & dietetics, nursing, kinesiology and exercise science, and physiology. I will be recommending The Eating Disorder Trapto the faculty and internship coordinators at my alma mater, Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, where I have been a guest speaker for the nutrition science department for several years.
The recommendations for eating disorder practitioners are grounded and helpful. Having read many other publications and books in this area, it is consistent and complementary with the guidelines and strategies for eating disorder treatments.
I highly recommend The Eating Disorder Trap. Once I started reading, it was hard to put down, as I found it engaging and helpful. As not only an RDN, but Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist, Certified Nutrition Support Clinician, and Board Certified in Advanced Diabetes Management, my patients have complex medical issues often in the setting of disordered eating and eating disorders, who are confused by layers of nutrition and health misinformation from a variety of sources. As I work on my new goal of becoming a CEDRD (always a student!), I will keep in mind the excellent and helpful insights that Robyn has provided and I congratulate her on her noteworthy accomplishment.