just after some info - Eating Disorder Recovery Message Board

onetruefriend · 10-22-2005, 10:56 PM

i have been bulimic and ana for 5 years but one thing i don't know is some thing i am curious about How long after eating does the body start to take the fat and cals from food? It is just i am trying to stay busy as long as i can after eating so i don't purge but not being very successfull.

NatashaW · 10-23-2005, 09:45 AM

Soon, almost immediately, which is why most bulimics throw up immediately after eating. Two and even one hour binges can lead to major weight gain, as the body can absord digestable fat quickly. I do believe every body is different, some bulimics are overweight;some underweight; but most are normal weight. It is impossible to throw up all the food you eat. If you are trying to put off purging so that you DO digest the food and get the calories, try to put off a purge as long as possible...2 hours. (is that what you mean??)

Anterrabae · 10-24-2005, 07:11 AM

I am in an outpatient program.. we eat dinner there four times a week and they don't let us use the bathroom during or for an hour after dinner so that we don't act of symptoms (purge) after eating. So I would say to keep yourself busy for an hour after having a meal would be very important to keep yourself from purging the nutrition you just had. Of course, purging is very harmful even if you are not throwing up the nutrition in a meal. It will still burn up your esophagus, break down your teeth enamel, and cause really dangerous electrolyte imbalances. So although the first hour after a meal may be the most triggering for you since you just ate.. try to keep from purging even after that so that you don't hurt yourself even more.