Former anorexics becoming vegan

[Anonymous]

I know a fair number of pescatarians, vegetarians and vegans who are healthy eaters and doing it for a variety of healthy reasons. But I also know a number of others who I'm pretty sure adopted the diet because it's a socially acceptable way of drastically restricting their food intake. I worry about a couple of the girls (older elementary) who I coach because they have extremely low BMIs and I'm not sure they are getting enough nutrition because of all the limitations they've placed on their intake.

[Anonymous]

I have been seeing this since college.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes. This is/was me. In “recovery” from anorexia and became vegan. It allowed me to restrict my calories sort of naturally without having to count/measure every bite of food (behaviors that had to go because I was recovering, right?). Did I mention I was also training for a marathon and running 80 miles a week?

A funny thing happened though. Gradually as I began to eat more (vegan) food, the idea of food in general became a lot less scary and little by little I felt comfortable enough to add in dairy products, then eggs, and finally chicken and fish. (I’m still working on beef and processed meats which are a huge huge fear food for me.). I had a delicious dinner last night that included some baked chicken, and tonight I ate a grilled cheese sandwich with my kids.

I am a year into recovery now and I have reached a healthy weight for my height. I still struggle with certain behaviors (timings of meals is a huge issue) but I am much much better. I have my period back and I no longer worry my heart will fail in my sleep.

I’m so happy for you! Keep up the good work!

[Anonymous]

"Former" anorexics also get into fitness competing. It gives them an excuse to scrutinize their bodies, time meals, count and weigh their food, and generally obsess over every macro.

[Anonymous]

I’ve also seen them go the keto and IF route. I’ve known people who will challenge themselves to go 48+ hours without eating, but it’s cool because IF is “natural” and cavemen sometimes went a couple days without eating (they probably didn’t, but who cares about science?!)

[Anonymous]

A mom I know is (I believe) orthorexic. She has severely limited eating options and obsesses about food all day long. Her children are also quite restricted.

Her marriage recently fell apart.

Guessing the disordered eating had something to do with it.

So sad.

[Anonymous]

Its also related to orthorexia and kind of fits into the whole wellness culture of detox and stuff happening in a big way now- very visible online. (This is coming from a former anorexic).

There are a handful of articles around the internet now on this: https://qz.com/1059682/is-wellness-culture-creating-a-new-kind-of-eating-disorder/

[Anonymous]

I am Indian and vegetarian from birth and now almost vegan because of my kid's food allergies. I also try to reduce gluten since I have autoimmune diseases. I can assure you that it is very easy to eat a heavy and full vegan meal. Especially most South Indian cooking can be easily made gluten free and vegan and still be very healthy and filling.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am Indian and vegetarian from birth and now almost vegan because of my kid's food allergies. I also try to reduce gluten since I have autoimmune diseases. I can assure you that it is very easy to eat a heavy and full vegan meal. Especially most South Indian cooking can be easily made gluten free and vegan and still be very healthy and filling.

I have no doubt that this is true. However, the thread is talking about how anorexics are using vegan as a cover for their disordered eating.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am Indian and vegetarian from birth and now almost vegan because of my kid's food allergies. I also try to reduce gluten since I have autoimmune diseases. I can assure you that it is very easy to eat a heavy and full vegan meal. Especially most South Indian cooking can be easily made gluten free and vegan and still be very healthy and filling.

I have no doubt that this is true. However, the thread is talking about how anorexics are using vegan as a cover for their disordered eating.

Yes you are right! I got distracted by some threads in between!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, it's very true. Also, notice how many maraton/distrance runners are always "training" and thus can never eat much. It's totally real, documented. People hide behind "training," veganism, etc. It's very sad.

??? Distance runners don't limit their food intake. They need the extra calories to be able to perform.