Roommate on extreme, possibly dangerous diet, advice needed. - Diet & Nutrition Message Board

genmo · 12-01-2008, 10:26 PM

My roommate is on an extreme no fat, no protein diet I personally thought was ridiculous, and now seems dangerous. I apologize for dramatization, but in all honesty I am having a very difficult time communicating the health risks, since all he sees are the results.

Since we are both guys and don't talk about exact weights that much, I would have to estimate that he lost 60-80 pounds in the span of... 25 weeks I believe. He was a bigger guy, 5'9, over 200 pounds and rapidly started gaining weight since college. His meals consisted mostly of chips, candy, and fried food. I'd make fun of him whenever he complained about how big he was getting, saying he was going to get diabetes from his diet.

One day, he suddenly just got on the ball about getting in shape. He bought an excercise bike, cut all of the chips etc., out of his day, and started losing weight.

Not having a car, he asked me to go to the grocery store for him, and that's when I noticed the problem. Literally, all he eats is plain lettuce, baby carrots, frozen boxes of mixed vegatables, white rice, and fat free popsicles. Oddly enough, recently he has gotten back on candy, but only Laffy Taffy, to which he defends is fat free. (As what I find as a humorous side note, he has also cut out beer which has crippled his social life)

Now I vaguely remember the food period, and he is missing about 75% of it. His biggest thing is everything is strictly 0 fat of any sort. There is also no protein at all, not from any kind of nuts, meat, supplement of any kind. He is also on his excercise bike for 3 hours a day, burning what I have to imagine is a massive amount of calories in comparison to his intake.

While his determination and zeal in losing weight in a way has to be applauded, he now looks sick. I am trying to convince him maybe its time to find a happy medium with meals, eat some chicken here and there, but he is in love with the progress he has made, and the attention he gets from people who haven't seen him in two or three months.

I know I'm talking about him as an inferior, and I apologize, but in talking been talking to people more knowledgeable than me about this, and it seems like with no fat, his body can't get any fat-soluble vitamins like A and K. Perhaps his body is eating his muscle tissue for energy since there is nothing else there?

What I am asking is, is there a way I can tell my roommate his life is very unhealthy, and will die of stroke on his bike one day, or should I just get off my high horse and let him continue losing weight at this miraculous pace.

Thank you in advance.

Jess75 · 12-02-2008, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by genmo

What I am asking is, is there a way I can tell my roommate his life is very unhealthy, and will die of stroke on his bike one day, or should I just get off my high horse and let him continue losing weight at this miraculous pace.

Thank you in advance.

I think you should address the situation to him in a friendly way, perhaps say something like, "You know I'm concerned about your diet and what the long term effects it could have on your body, I'm only telling you this because your my friend."
He definitely needs more fat and protein, especially with all of that activity.

JohnR41 · 12-02-2008, 10:26 AM

If your roommate isn't getting enough protein, his body will take protein from lean muscle (arms, legs, etc.) in order to maintain vital functions for heart beats, breathing etc.. (The human body is pretty amazing in how it can survive the worst punishment.)

Too little fat is bad too but, hopefully, his body might convert some of that fat free Taffy Laffy to fat. The human body can convert sugar to saturated fat.

Your roommate has one thing in his favor as far as survival goes: He's young!!! He's using up his store of fat and eventually he will either be satisfied and quit or his energy will wear down and he will quit because of that.

You're a good friend to be concerned and I don't blame you for trying. All you can do is make some common sense suggestions and hope for the best.

AnnD · 12-02-2008, 10:45 AM

It sounds like he has Anorexia and I would find out his parents phone number and call them to let them know how you feel. You can't really help your roommate but because this is a life/death disease his parents should know so they can decide what to do with him. It is a hard thing to watch and I would tell him you have noticed his unhealthy weight loss. I wouldn't tell him that you are calling his parents but I would have a one time conversation with him. It is hard to see someone abusing themselves and not say anything so i think it is ok to tell him what you see and feel. Other than that you can't really do anything and that is a sad thing isn't it. good luck.