Eating Disorders and Emotional Eating

Eating disorders are not uncommon in today’s society. Here in America, about 10 million men and 20 million women suffer or suffered from some kind or eating disorder at one time in their life. This includes eating disorders like bulimia nervosa, anorexia nervosa, and binge eating disorder.

If eating is strongly linked to your emotions, you might have heard some or all of the following statements as a child:

“Clean your plate or you’re not allowed to leave the table.”
“Eat something, it will help you feel better.”
“You must clean your plate or else you are being rude to the person who prepared the meal.”
“Eat. You’re too thin.”
“If you’re a good boy or girl you’ll get dessert.”
“If you stop crying right now, I’ll give you ice-cream.”

Do any of these statements sound familiar? These are just some of the unhealthy childhood motivations for eating. Most eating disorders have an emotional component to them. However, whether your eating habits are emotional or genetic, you don’t have to be a slave to them.

Today, yes today is a new day with new hope and aspirations attached to it. Today can be the day you develop a new way of thinking and living. Start by evaluating what type of lifestyle factors may be contributing to the way you eat.

Is it family or friends that invoke a certain type of eating pattern that you don’t do when you’re not with them? Is it you career that causes you to eat unhealthy? What ever it is, take the time to identify it and change how you eat as a result of it.

Eating Disorders

Eating disorders must be taken seriously. If your daily life and routine is affected by your struggles with food and or body image, it’s time to talk with your doctor. A new eating disorder is on the rise and it is called orthorexia. Orthorexia is when someone develops a phobia about eating unhealthy foods.

We all know eating unhealthy foods is not good for the body. However, anything taken to the extreme can be dangerous. First, all foods have some kind of contaminant in them that can be classified as “unhealthy.” Vegetables and Fruits are full of pesticides, whether sprayed on or from the earth that has been contaminated.

The key is to eat as health as possible. Not to obsess over every little thing. When it comes to being well and eating well, eating healthy foods is only one component. There is exercise, mental wellness, and relationships, just to name a few.

Eating disorders affect people of all ages, ethnicities, backgrounds, and income levels. the key to avoiding eating disorders is to have a good support system from you family, friends and church. Also make sure you have a good relationship with your doctor. This can provide you with another outlet in case for some reason you can’t talk with your family and friends.

There is no shame in not being able to talk with your family and friends. Sometimes the embarrassment is too much too bare. The important thing is to talk with someone so that you can get the help you need. Your life doesn’t need to be ruled by your eating disorders. Truly today is a new day.

Take advantage of it and talk with someone so that you can begin to eat well and enjoy life.