Weird problem - Eating Disorder Recovery Message Board

Kimberly315 · 09-17-2003, 06:15 PM

Okay, I need to know if anyone can relate to this or try to help me out. About a year ago, I became a vegetarian. I also decided to be more health conscious and quit eating junk food. The problem is, I became too interested in health and nutrition and started cutting things out of my diet left and right! I stopped eating white bread/pasta/sugar/etc. and decided to eat more whole grains. However, I read about the acrylamide (carcinogen) in baked carbohydrates so I quit eating most carbs. I started eating only organic foods. I quit eating dairy products. (I could go on and on...) Now I'm afraid to eat just about everything! My entire diet consists of raw oat bran, organic fruits and veggies, legumes, and olive/flaxseed oil (and vitamins.) I was thin to begin with, but now I'm wasting away! I want to gain some weight but my diet is pretty low in calories. I am obsessed with eating healthy and it's really affecting my life! I can't eat out anymore, and my boyfriend thinks I've lost my mind. Is this normal in any way?

paperdoll · 09-18-2003, 02:00 PM

i was just reading a book about something called orthorexia--i know i'm mispelling that. i wish i could remember the author's name or something. but it was about obsesion w/ healthy eating until there's nothing left to eat. just keep in mind, there are new studies out everyday saying that something they thought was good for you is really awful (like margarine) and something they thought you should never have you should now have every day (red wine). or that something you've been taking to prevent breast cancer causes parkinson's. this healthy eating will lead you down a terrible path!! lol . i'll see if i can find out the name of the book- i have to swing by the bookstore later.

tweetygirl · 09-18-2003, 07:57 PM

I've done the same thing. You just keep restricting and restricting until there's nothing left. I've been fighting mine and actually went out to eat for the first time in 5 yrs. I know how scary it is , but is it worth dying for? For me doing something athletic has helped. Not merely aerobics or exercise,but something competitive, wherein you're required to have strength from eating to be able to perform. my classical ballet training has been a lifesaver. Still, I know how hard it is. If it wasn't for my son, I'm not sure I'd be able to handle things either. I just keep thinking that he needs me, and giving him a mother is more important than looking slim. As frightening as this id for me to say I'd even gain weight for him. I was anorexic when I got pregnant and ended up putting on 100lbs (to a total of 150 and I'm 5'11)before delivery. Just hold on sweetie, I'm praying for ya'

mochi · 09-19-2003, 03:27 AM

Yup, I've been there. I was asrtict vegan for sveeral years, and got into all kinds of food combinding and nutrition. I eventually ended up with an eating disorder. I have always been thin too, but I was overeating the things I let muself eat. And I was SOOOOO preoccupied with health, to the point that it was unhealthy, and no fun. It's good to learn about nutrition and eating sustainably, but it should compliment your life, not control it. I quit being vegan, but still eat organic most of the time. I compromise with myself. When I gave myself more freedom I was free of my eating disorder. Good luck!

Kimberly315 · 09-19-2003, 10:59 PM

Thanks, I'm so glad I'm not alone!