W HAT CAN WE LEA R N FROM A SPON G E ? Some eating disorder clients benefit significantly from visual aids. At Alsana, we’ve grown fond of what we call our “Sponge Analogy,” which gives a powerful demonstration of what happens to one’s gut during the recovery process. In this demonstration, the satisfied, nourished gut will be represented by the fresh, new sponge while the hungry, undernourished gut will be represented by the dried-out sponge. Let’s get started!
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You will need two fresh sponges. Place one of them in a sealed plastic bag.
Dampen the second sponge, then squeeze the moisture out of it.
Place the wet sponge in the dryer with a large bath towel and run on “high” cycle. Repeat if necessary.
Leave the dried sponge out in a non-humid climate, and it will continue to “dry up.” If the environment is humid, seal dried sponge in a plastic bag.
Now you are ready! Flip this card over and follow the instructions to complete the demonstration.
STEP-BY-STEP: HELP YOUR CLIENTS UNDERSTAND 1. Show both sponges, sideby-side, and compare the size, texture, and pliability. Notice:
5. Squeeze the fresh sponge over a paper cup to illustrate how water is “used” over time
• The dried sponge is smaller than designed, less pliable, “scratchy” and hard.
• Water absorption and release upon squeezing illustrates how the body uses fuel and fluid between all meals and snacks.
• The fresh sponge is the same size as originally designed, pliable, smooth, and soft.
2. Pour a small amount of water onto the dried sponge and observe: • Most of the water initially runs off the dried sponge and does not absorb. • The small amount that does absorb “distorts” the sponge shape by swelling in a localized area.
3. Pour water (about 1/4 of a bottle or glass) onto the fresh sponge and observe:
• Lack of any shape distortion regardless of temporary “weight” shift illustrates healthy digestion and the ability of sponge (gut) to handle the job for which it is designed.
6. Discuss how the sponge transformations illustrate how the gut heals during recovery: • The malnourished gut cannot absorb, digest, or increase flexibility quickly. • The malnourished gut stretches disproportionately even from a small amount absorbed.
• All of the water absorbs without any “runoff” (pour slowly and steadily).
• The malnourished gut will slowly become more flexible over time.
• The fresh sponge retains original shape, softness, and pliability regardless of water absorption
• The malnourished gut will slowly increase its ability to absorb and digest over time. • A healthy gut can absorb large amounts quickly without changing shape dramatically.
4. Compare the perceived “weight” of the sponges. • The shape of the dried sponge continues to distort, yet there is no significant change in sponge “weight.” • The fresh sponge does not distort over time yet changes in “weight” from water absorption.
• A healthy gut gradually uses the food/fluid absorbed and digested between meals/snacks. • A healthy gut will naturally add temporary “weight” when foods/fluids are first consumed. • A healthy gut will naturally return to its normal size as it uses the food/fluid to nourish.
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