Eating disorders and disordered eating are on the rise, especially after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, something often being referred to as the “second pandemic”. Many of us may be familiar with clinical eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa, binge eating disorder, or bulimia; however, there are an even larger number of people who may experience disordered eating without necessarily having a clinical eating disorder. Essentially, eating falls on a spectrum which can range from being an intuitive eater, to experiencing some disordered eating, to having a clinical eating disorder. Wherever you are in your journey with eating, support, including referrals, are available.
What is Disordered Eating?
Disordered eating can be used to describe eating behaviors that can be considered to fall out of the range of healthy eating behaviors.
These behaviors may include:
· Chronic dieting.
· Having a negative body image.
· A disconnection from the body’s full and fullness cues.
· An unhealthy preoccupation with food, one’s body, or exercise.
· Inflexibility around food or exercise.
· Restrictive eating.
· Uncontrollable emotional eating.
· Weight cycling.
· Binging, purging, or laxative abuse.
· Withdrawing from social activities.
*All of the above could also signify that an eating disorder may be present*
But what do healthy eating behaviors look like?
Healthy eating behaviors often follow Intuitive Eating principles, and may include the following:
· Having a positive relationship with food and our body.
· Feeling connected to our hunger and fullness cues.
· Having access to a wide range of coping tools beyond emotional eating.
· Participating in movement that feels good rather than attempting to “burn” calories.
· Enjoying a wide variety of foods without guilt or shame.
Want to find out how Superbloom Wellness can help you recover from disordered eating?
Book a Free Discovery Call with a Registered Dietitian!