Disordered eating misconceptions

“Vegetarian, vegan, paleo, and other diets constitute disordered eating.”

FALSE… diets based on ethical principles or health improvement are not inherently disordered.  When done correctly, a diet that excludes animal products or other foods will consist of sufficient macronutrients, micronutrients, and energy to sustain the dieter.

…BUT: if a person adopts vegetarianism, veganism, or changes to a paleo or other diet solely to lose weight by eliminating certain foods, that can be considered disordered.  A significant relationship exists in that “it seems that people who are predisposed to risk for developing an ED are more likely to engage in vegetarian eating patterns” (1).  

• “There is no treatment for disordered eating, only for eating disorders”

FALSE.  While there may not be specific programs designed to treat disordered eating, getting access to therapy in order to discuss and resolve unhealthy behaviors is crucial.  Telling a professional about disordered eating issues allows the individual suffering from them to talk through their relationship with food, pinpoint parts of the relationship that are harmful, and work on healing those parts while avoiding symptom progression towards the development of an eating disorder.  Psychotherapeutic approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Mindfulness, can help improve the patient-food dynamic.  

• “Nutritionists are only for people with eating disorders.”

FALSE.  Nutritionists are available to anyone who needs help regulating and maintaining healthy intake, including disordered eating sufferers.  Someone struggling with disordered eating can easily benefit from nutritionist services, especially in terms of eating in moderation and learning to identify bodily signals for hunger and satiety.  Help is only an appointment away. (2)

• “Disordered eating does not lead to the development of an eating disorder.”

FALSE.  Eating disorder symptoms are very similar to the characteristic signs of disordered eating, and differ only in frequency and severity.  Over a prolonged period of time, disordered eating habits can evolve to the point that they mentally and physically impair an individual.  It is entirely possible for someone who suffers from disordered eating to develop a full-blown eating disorder if their behaviors are not addressed promptly.

• “Dieting is not disordered eating.”

FALSE.  Dieting is the most common type of disordered eating.  It is a cyclical issue that severely unbalances the dieter emotionally and physically.  Beginning with caloric restriction, it progresses through hunger that intensifies into extreme hunger cravings.  The cravings are satisfied through compensatory binge-eating, resulting in negative emotions that are dealt with by restricting once again.  In addition, people who diet moderately are 5 times more likely to develop an eating disorder, and severe dieters are 18 times more likely. (3)

• “Disordered eating doesn’t have health risks like eating disorders do.”

FALSE.  Sustaining damage from disordered eating can result in:

• Osteoporosis
• Fatigue and poor sleep quality
• Constipation and/or diarrhea
• Headaches
• Muscle cramps

All of these things are serious consequences of unhealthy behaviors, especially osteoporosis, digestive issues, and reduced sleep quality.  It is very important to resolve disordered eating issues as soon as possible to prevent irreparable damage from occurring. (4)