Diet Community

Hi Sara, sorry about your troubles. Anxiety can cause a bunch of problems if you are already prone to eating disorders.
Is it possible for you to maybe take the "D" word right out of the equation? Why do you have to think of eating healthy foods, trimmed lean meats or low fat dairy as "dieting"? The simple answer is. You don't . At this point, especially with your stress right now, I would say, don't try to count calories. That is one thing counselors will tell you. mainly because as a person who suffers from disorder, you will tend to focus so much on the calories that you will lose sight of the nutrients that you need instead.
It's been said time and time again here, you need to feed your body to lose weight. Eat a rainbow every day. Pick foods that have lots of color (white isn't a color, its the absence of color, so no white rice, breads,pastas or potatoes if you can avoid them, eat whole wheat instead)
Colorful foods give you more bang for the buck when it comes to nutrients. Eat at least 4-5 oz of lean fish or meats, eggs every day, have at least 8 oz of some type of low fat dairy every day. Eat a small handful of nuts too.
If you break up your eating into the suggested 5-6 small meals a day, you won't feel as though you are bingeing so there won't be a NEED to purge.
Like , have a tomatoe "flowered" and filled with a can of water packed tuna sprinkled with dill for a meal or snack, then a few hours later, have 10 or so almonds, then a piece of fruit, then a skinless chicken breast oven crisped and a baked sweet potatoe.... it doesn't take much to get your daily nutritional needs met and you will feel less likely to feel you are doing that "D" word , if you are eating like you should.

Thank you for your response! It is hard to eat healthy for me because I live with my parents still and there are more junk food options than healthy. My mom is trying, a little, to eat healthier so I have to admit we have more fruits around now but we have very few veggies. Almonds are one of my family's favourite things so we have plenty of those. I am someone who likes to grab something quick to eat on busy days so I usually eeat two toaster waffles in the morning with black coffee and a bottle of water and then have a serving of low fat granola with a cup of fat free yogurt for lunch accompanied usually by almonds or a banana. Dinner is another story. I have to eat whatever my parents make or it causes problems... I will try to follow your advice as best I can. Thanks again!

Hi Sarah and welcome - My heart goes out to you! I struggled with similar problems throughout my teen years into my 20s. It is very, very difficult and I'm glad that you are reaching out.

I wonder why seeing a counselor is not an option? Also, have you had a recent physical with your doctor? There might be some antidepressant or anti-anxiety medication that can help greatly (that was the key for me) You need to face this and fight for your life - you deserve to be healthy!

We have an active Eating Disorder Community where you might find support from others. Also, a Bulimia Nervosa Health Center with many resources. You can also find support and a 24 hour crisis line here: WebMD Crisis Resources Links .

Please continue to post here for support - I'm sending you (((hugs))) and positive thoughts today!

Haylen

Here's one for you, if you like your waffles and want to eat them too (they are high in carbs so watch them, k?) Only have 1 and spread it with 1/8 cup of natural chunky applesauce and lay on a slice of lower fat roast turkey lunchmeat. The protein will stay with you longer and keep your blood sugar level longer that those 2 waffles will. Carbs break down into simple sugars that give good "instant" energy but they burn up too fast to keep you full for longer periods. Try to concentrate on foods that metabolize slower rather than a lot of fast burning carbs.

Seeing a counselor is not an option because I have family problems and am left to myself to figure out my issues. My parents have enough to figure out so I'm not going to be more of a burden. Also, I have not had a physical since about 6th or 7th grade. My parents wouldn't allow me to be on antidepressants or any other medication. They don't think there is ever anything wrong with me. I know I have medical problems because no one can abuse diet pills and laxatives to the extreme that I did and walk away fine.......

Thank you so much for your support!

Thank you for the help!

Sweety, I am urging you to go to your local Social Services/or Health Department. Please, do this. They can help you with finding some help and I don't think that it will cost anything. The big thing is that you already see and acknowledge that you need help. That's a big step in the right direction. There are locally funded mental health sites in almost every town now. Find one let them help you make yourself better.
As for the shopping for better stuff, if your mom has enough money to buy junk food then there's enough to buy good , nutritional food. Period. Go shopping with her and pick up some raw veggies and tell her you will go without that bag of chips, thank you very much.
If you can't get her to change, talk to the social services dept about getting on some sort of food program just for you to stay healthy. They may give you some food stamps toward healthier foods especially if a doctor that they refer you to recommends it. Take a stand for your health with your parents. You may be worried about adding to their problems , but it's their responsibility to watch over you and protect you. You are going to have to take the place of some of their "problems", take your spot, at the head of the line.

I thank you for your kindness and concern but its not possible. Firstly, I'm not sick enough. Secondly, my parents would never let me go to a place like that and thirdly, it would make things worse here which is the last thing I need........ that any of us need.

I want help but don't at the same time. Maybe if I was really sick my parents would see the benefit but I'd never get accepted to treatment because I'm not all that ill.

Just take care of yourself, ask if you have questions, vent if you need somebody to listen. We are all here.

<3 Thank you for all the help and all your kindness!!!

hi sara,

so first things first, we can't look at calories as the bad guy or enemy. They are necessary for us to live happy and healthy lives! Additionally, calories come in different forms: fat, carb, protein, all which are necessary for an active life. As long as you maintain a good balance, leaning more toward the proteinous calories as well as do exercise fairly frequently you should be ok if you have a lot of questions use healthtap.com, which will connect you to docs in real time, who can answer all your questions.

hope that helps

Hey Sarah(: So I thought I would share my story with you, hopefully for some inspiration and or guidance.

When I was in the 7th grade I started to suffer with anerexia and depression. At 5'6 I have been every weight between 100-160 lbs. My anerexia became so bad that the summer before my freshman year I was hospitalized for malnutrition. I was in a comma for 8 days. As a result from going that long without food I now, 5 years later, suffer from anemia, epilepsy, and daily chronic migranes. Doctors have also told me that I will be a diabetic by the age of 25 as a result.

So what I would like to tell you, it's not worth it. Don't relapse. You are beautiful and until you see that for yourself, you will never be comfortable with your weight. It's coaragous of you to reach out for help!! Stop checking your weight on the scale, because that thing will only hurt you more. Keep up the dieting though! Try to actually notice the weight that you have lost without having to check the scale.

Stay strong! Kendal

Hi Sarah!

Checking in with you - how are you doing?

Haylen