what sort of diet would suit me best?

littlebabyflower · October 2013

hello. i'm recovering from a restrictive eating disorder as well as binging/reactive eating (if anyone doesnt know, this is what they call "binges" that occur after a period of calorie restriction, due to actual physical needs opposed to emotional reasons)

i never experienced binging until i had been starving myself, and i dont ever emotionally eat, or feel like i am addicted to food. i binge on large amounts of food because i feel legitimate hunger that's only satisfied with huge amounts of food. i'm stuck in a really bad restrict/binge cycle and i can't get out.

i'm vegan and i always binge on carbs. today i have decided i'm going to go gluten free so i can avoid this, and because they dont sit with me well (my mom is diagnosed with celiac so this isn't out of the blue)
being vegan and gluten free is very difficult and restrictive, which my eating disorder likes.
i'm wondering if the reason i'm suffering so much with extreme hunger is because i dont get adequate nutrition even when i do eat. ive been trying to include tofu into my diet for protein. but i'm considering allowing some fat free dairy products like cottage cheese or greek yogurt. does anyone have any input/ideas that would help me stop binging? i'm opposed to the idea of eating animal products but i need a solution because i'm ruining my life.

nomeejerome · October 2013

seek a professional

misschoppo · October 2013

^ this

whierd · October 2013

skullshank · October 2013

CountryGirl8542 · October 2013

this ^

Factory_Reset · October 2013

THIS

toscarthearmada · October 2013

^

This

And I wouldn't go Gluten Free unless you have to.

pastryari · October 2013

guroprincess · October 2013

This is a forum full of people who aren't educated enough to help you. Enthusiasts, maybe, but it seems to me like there's a lot of psychological issues around the way you eat. I'm going to echo everyone else here and say seek a professional (a psychiatrist who may also refer you to a nutritionist.)

littlebabyflower · October 2013

thanks, you're all SO helpful -_____-

i'm a teenager just looking for advice. i dont have acess to "professional" services or a dietitian. if youre not going to be helpful dont reply, especially if youre only going to quote the same post multiple times.

Cre8veLifeR · October 2013

I'm sorry you are suffering so much with food. That's not an easy thing to overcome, and I would definitely recommend seeing a therapist for it, or if you are introspective and can really discover why you are doing what you are doing, there is a lot of help in books and online. Maybe since you have such a restrictive diet, see a nutritionist.

As a former binge eater, Here is my diet. I give myself permission to eat whatever the hell I want to eat, therefore I don't have that mental nag (I know what you mean!) to "treat" myself and binge. I just say if I want it, I eat it. As time goes on, the binging stopped. I haven't had a binge in well over a year - maybe more!

I eat a high protein diet, but I also lift weights. Fresh veggies, fruits, nuts. I eat whole grain breads if I eat them at all, with peanut butter. I keep pretty accurate eating times as well - and I do an IF diet as well - I don't eat until after my morning workout. It's not restrictive to me, I just feel better doing an intermittent fasting diet and my body responds well to it. I basically eat at 10, noon, 2:30-3, 5-6 for dinner and then no more eating until the next day and eat around 1700 calories per day. I never feel hungry this way, and I carry an apple or protein bar with me in case I am out and I get hungry.

Most of all you need to discover why you are harming yourself this way. Eating disorders are entirely mental, and can be overcome with lots of hard work and courage to face life. (((hugs))) Definitely seek help!!

odusgolp · October 2013

I think you get the picture... Best of luck to you.

_Rogue · October 2013

Where there's a will, there's a way. Seek professional help immediately.

twinketta · October 2013

If you need nutritional advice, which can not be provided by people on MFP due to your medical history, which you have shared with us.

Then it would help you more to seek help from a professional nutritionist.

That way you can get the advice and dietary needs to suit you.

I wish you well and hope you find the path that suits you with some qualified help x

jillmarie125 · October 2013

Giving the advice of seeking a professional, is helpful. Telling you to do A B or C type of diet would not be helpful. So, while it is being blunt, everyone is trying to help. Do you have health insurance? If you do, call your Doctor.

whierd · October 2013

Sweetie, everyone here is giving you the best advice possible. You have an eating disorder and very few, if any, of us are qualified to help you. If we gave you advice we would carry the burden of potentially making you relapse, making it worse, discouraging you, etc. None of us want to see this happen and most of us understand that eating disorders have underlying mental health issues that you need to have addressed before you can begin to heal.

I would suggest Googling free Eating Disorder groups and counselors in your area and reaching out to them.

Contrarian · October 2013

How old are you? I have to agree with the people who are urging you to seek help. Sometimes, the answers you don't want to hear are actually the most helpful.

misschoppo · October 2013

Unfortunately You are looking for help in the wrong place. Nobody is trying to upset you but since your relationship with food is so complex it would be difficult for anyone who isnt qualified to offer you any helpful advice. Much better to advise you to contact someone who can help than spurt off a load of well meaning but uneducated advice that could actually do more harm than good.

Alex_is_Hawks · October 2013

it may not seem helpful....

but with your disordered eating history....we really aren't qualified TO HELP you...

neither do many of us have an idea or a clue where to start even if we WERE qualified.

the answer we're giving isn't because we don't want to be helpful. it's because it's the only answer we have.

times a million.

seek a professional.

billsica · October 2013

If not a professional, you need to talk to your parents. Maybe you are on their insurance.

No one wants to give advice because we are not professionals and even if we are you are not our patient.

stealthq · October 2013

Well, the problem is that none of us have the expertise to help you. And even if we did, this isn't exactly the kind of problem that's safe to diagnose and just give suggestions over the internet, you know? Last thing we want is to help you become further malnourished.

The only safe diet for us to suggest that makes any kind of sense is for you to eat a nutritionally balanced and varied diet. That's easiest if you include animal products. It's harder for a vegetarian, and even more difficult for a vegan but not impossible.

Here's a plan for you if you won't see a nutritionist (who would do this for you):

Figure out what you're eating now.
Evaluate the macro and micro profiles.
Identify nutritional deficits based on recommended daily values.
Plan meals, snacks, vitamins to bring those profiles up to what they should be.
Follow the plan.
Re-evaluate after some time and adjust.

Cranquistador · October 2013

^

guroprincess · October 2013

If you're expecting anything else you've come to the wrong place-- it's the most responsible answer that anyone could ever give you. Getting advice from unqualified strangers on the internet is about the least helpful thing that you could do at this point.

If you have access to a ride, try to find a walk-in mental health facility in your area. When I was being mentally evaluated (for anxiety/depression) they asked me several questions that pertained to eating disorders to make sure that I did not have one. Young females are especially at risk for eating disorders and they WILL ask you questions about it. So long as you're honest, you can get help.

Like someone else said-- if there's a will, there's a way.

tomomatic · October 2013

I don't think anyone is being particularly mean when they're saying this. On MFP, there are a LOT of folks that come through here that have been through or are going through self esteem, eating disorders, or body issues. A lot of folks need help. I don't think they mean it as mean spirited but what your describing is something that each of us have probably seen on our friend list a few times... or have experienced through ourselves or siblings (in my case, my sister).

You have specific needs (whether self imposed or pre-disposed) and most of us here are not qualified to give you an opinion. Shoot, a qualified professional wouldn't be here to give you an opinion for fear of liability! Everyone here is an amateur at best when it comes to nutrition as we can only share what's worked for ourselves. I think seeing a dietician or nutritionist is a great idea. If you can give them a food diary to start from, I'm sure that they can make some suggestions.

_HeartsOnFire_ · October 2013

It's simple. We are not professionals. You need professional help and that is NOT a bad thing. You say you are a teenager, I'm going to guess under the age of 18? Talk to your parents. Talk to a doctor. Seek professional help.

At the very least check these out...there's even a 800 # you could call and talk to someone or chat online.

http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/treatment

But you really should seek out professional help. It's not a bad thing.

sdirks · October 2013

If finances are an issue, try contacting your parents' health insurance or the employee benefits department of the companies your family members work for. Oftentimes insurance companies and employers will offer anonymous counseling services at little or no cost. Talking to someone with professional knowledge and certifications is the smartest decision you can make for your body and your future health.

Another option is to contact local clinics or universities with a medical school or nutrition program. There may be case studies or clinical trials you can participate in at no cost. Also, students studying to be dietitians and nutritionists may be able to refer you to their professors or programs on campus. Even if all you find is a support group for vegans or people with eating disorders, their face-to-face support is going to give you greater benefit than anything we can offer over the internet.

We wish you the best of luck in finding help and support in your local community. Hopefully you can find the qualified assistance you need.

SashleyA · October 2013

Are you in school? If so, you should have access to at least a guidance councilor through the school who can refer you to someone who can help out. For example, there was a coach at my school who helped students develop healthy eating plans, so while that might be the absolute best option, it might be a good place to start.

KMiYong · October 2013

Hi

First of, thanks for reaching out. It's a big step towards overcoming the ED.
I also am recovering, though if you check my diary, you probably wouldn't know. I was diagnosed with EDNOS.
As for your question, first of - seek professional help. It's best for you, and they know better. Until you find someone who will really help you, try NOT restricting. Going gluten-free, vegan, etc' is only fueling one's ED. I personally think being Vegan isn't a great idea in it's own, but that's up for your judgement.
Another thing that could help you is setting a calorie amount - one that is reasonable (don't give in for your ED. try setting the goal to 1200-1600), and working up to eating this amount. Force yourself if you need too (yes, it's hard, I know..) but do your best to get to a point you can eat as close to your goal as possible. This'll probably help the binging cycle.

We here are no pros, and all tips I gave you are based on my own experience. I don't know if it'll be right for you or not.

Feel free to contact me if you need support \ wanna chat \ etc.

edit: I saw you wrote you don't have access to professional help? If so, please try either asking your family for help, or look for any kind of program that could either help the costs or provide some kind of help. Dealing with an ED alone is nearly impossible..

dunnodunno · October 2013

What he said.

suziepoo1984 · October 2013

Best response :flowerforyou: :drinker:

what sort of diet would suit me best?

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