By its definition, an eating disorder means you aren't taking care of yourself. Even when you're in treatment, it can be hard to adopt or maintain healthy habits. And you may have occasions when you return to your old, unhealthy eating behaviors.

But proper self-care can help you feel better during and after treatment and help maintain your health. Try to follow through on some of these self-care steps, but if you can't, don't let that fuel more self-criticism:

• Avoid dieting.

• Eat breakfast. Most people with binge-eating disorder skip breakfast. But studies show that people who eat breakfast are less prone to eating higher calorie meals later in the day.

• Cut back on how much food you stock at home. That may mean more-frequent trips to the grocery store, but it may also take away the temptations.

• Talk to your doctor about appropriate vitamin and mineral supplements. Just because you may be eating alot during binges doesn't mean you're eating the kinds of food that supply all of your essential nutrients.

• Stick to your treatment. Don't skip therapy sessions and try not to stray from meal plans, even if they make you uncomfortable.

• Don't isolate yourself from caring family members and friends who want to see you get healthy. Understand that they have your best interests at heart.

• Talk to your health care providers about what kind of exercise is appropriate for you, especially if you have health problems related to being overweight.

• Read self-help books that offer sound, practical advice. Consider discussing the books with your health care providers.

• Find healthy ways to nurture yourself by doing something just for fun or to relax.

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