Bulimia nervosa (BN) and binge eating disorder (BED) are two types of eating disorders characterised by binging episodes where excessive energy is consumed. Unlike BED, BN is also characterised by compensatory behaviours such as purging, excessive exercise and/or laxative use. It is estimated that only two-thirds of people with these eating disorders seek treatment despite the impact they can have on their physical and psychological functioning. Patient expectations of treatments have been previously shown to impact on treatment outcomes. This study was part of a randomised controlled trial (RCT) and explored patient expectations of a new treatment programme on guided exercise and diet therapy using qualitative methods (semi-structured interviews n = 10). Those interviewed expected to increase their knowledge of nutrition and physical exercise (e.g. reduce their fear of food), experience less physical and mental symptoms associated with their eating disorder (e.g. less negative body image) and expected their therapist to be competent and to take care of them. These expectations are important to treatment compliance. This study suggests it is important to identify and discuss patient expectations about treatment before they start to manage their expectations (e.g. the speed they may recover). The authors also suggest it may be important to manage expectations throughout the treatment to adjust their goals or strategies to help meet them.