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what to do when you have an eating disorder
Started
by Celia Anderson
on May 1, 2012
Just wanted to know what people's thoughts are about dealing with an eating disorder and wanting to become a vegan/vegetarian or macrobiotic. What also would be the safest and healthiest way without encouraging eating disorder behaviors.
try the vegan, but you can't be picky with it because it cud get worse the ED.. but try and have fun with the food and try a huge variety all different grains beans and veggies.. www.ohsheglows.com has a great story about her past and some amazing recipes i lovee her!
I am a person who struggled with anorexia and bulimia for many years (I'm healthy but vigilant now). During my darkest time I went vegan, telling myself that it was for health and humanitarian reasons, but the truth was that I used veganism as a way of justifying the extreme restrictions in my diet. Everyone is different, but if I could give the me of ten years ago advice (knowing what I know now), I would say that it is very important to think hard about the real reasons for adopting a macrobiotic or vegan diet.
There isn't much in a vegan or macrobiotic diet to feel guilty over, so that has helped me with my eating disorders. I'm not completely better yet, but I would say the kind diet has helped a lot!
not all vegan food is created equal and you can still be anorexic/bulimic on a vegan diet (personally experienced it).
i'm doing very well now but it took me a while to realize that all my meals start in my head, not in my mouth. i'm now 70% raw gluten free vegan and happy with the food i eat. before each meal (and i mean it!), i tell myself how grateful i am to be able to eat this wonderful meal when so many people are starving, that this meal is my way of being kind to myself and the planet, that there's a lot of love in this food. savour every bite! buy nice bowls and learn from the japanese who make their meal trays look so artistic (involve your eyes, too!). say "thank you" even to the carrot when you're peeling it. believe me, it sounds crazy, but it will make you smile and eating disorders are about self-harm really, guilt is only a follow-up emotion. there's no sense of humour in self-harm, so you have to make an effort to bring a smile to every meal (even if it feels awkward and forced at the beginning). and never let yourself be hungry!
you might want to read "Women Food and God" by G. Roth and "Crazy Sexy Diet" by Kris Carr.
I have another theory about eating disorders, apart from that with self-harm, especially among women who care a lot about their appearance since childhood. It's also about never being sure that what you eat is good for your body. Is that so, that some with eating disorders are looking for a diet that make them feel happy and enjoy their bodies, or reach a specific goal? Some don't care about their health, only their weight... We are so obsessed with food (me too) even though we might have great access to it. Reading about all the harm different foods can do to you, make me end up with raw food in theory, but that's not the only solution. You have to believe in that every choice you make will give you more experience, and some day you MIGHT end up with the life style you always wanted. Yoga helps me feel more balanced and helps me focus on my soul and mental health, which automatically helps me achieve physical health. Right now, I'm here and if I work hard, I will go only further. You are awesome, all of you! :D
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