I think I have an eatting disorder

Howdoyoufeeltoday wrote: »

It's a form of disordered eating called chewing and spitting. It can get a lot worse and it usually leads to one of the more commonly known eating disorders like anorexia or bulimia. Chewing and spitting along can cause mouth and teeth issues and it can also cause stomach ulcers and things like that because when you chew your brain signels your stomach to start producing stomach acid but without any food in the stomach the acid can irritate the lining.

Advice: chances are your diet is overly restrictive which is why you're craving so much sugar. So up your calories and allow yourself to have some treats once in a while. If you still can't stop after that then maybe seek some help into figuring our why you're so fearful to eat the food.

Good luck to you!

So, gum is bad?

Larissa_NY wrote: »

haninesloss wrote: »

No, you're being in control. Having an eating disorder means to go to extremes just to avoid gaining a few extra pounds. I'd say you're being smart.

On what planet is chewing food to get the taste and then spitting it out not an extreme behavior?

Larissa_NY wrote: »

haninesloss wrote: »

No, you're being in control. Having an eating disorder means to go to extremes just to avoid gaining a few extra pounds. I'd say you're being smart.

On what planet is chewing food to get the taste and then spitting it out not an extreme behavior?

Baseball players and sunflower seeds. So, chewing and spitting is fairly common. Seriously though, they do it for the ensuing boredom and the 'meat' of the seed. I doubt many are doing it for the taste. Then again.....

_Terrapin_ wrote: »

Howdoyoufeeltoday wrote: »

It's a form of disordered eating called chewing and spitting. It can get a lot worse and it usually leads to one of the more commonly known eating disorders like anorexia or bulimia. Chewing and spitting along can cause mouth and teeth issues and it can also cause stomach ulcers and things like that because when you chew your brain signels your stomach to start producing stomach acid but without any food in the stomach the acid can irritate the lining.

Advice: chances are your diet is overly restrictive which is why you're craving so much sugar. So up your calories and allow yourself to have some treats once in a while. If you still can't stop after that then maybe seek some help into figuring our why you're so fearful to eat the food.

Good luck to you!

So, gum is bad?

Please see my earlier comment on gum. People should understand that context matters. I'm trained to diagnose using the DSM 5, I am a licensed therapist in the state of North Carolina, and I have worked with women struggling with eating disorders. I am not, nor do I claim to be, an expert on the topic of eating disorders but with the content posted here, I assure you what I am saying is sound.

When I say context matters, I'm not really talking about the nonverbal stuff, although you are correct that it is really important. What I'm really meaning is that the context of the behavior matters. I.e. chewing gum is an acceptable activity but not when it is used to reduce hunger pains so that someone can continue restricting and going days without eating. In this scenario, the context in which someone chooses to chew gun is critical. Most people don't realize that disorders in general rely heavily on context. For instance, if two people engage in the same behavior, but in different cultures, it might be considered a disorder in one culture and not in the other. Disorders are generally, in some part, based on whether the behavior is culturally acceptable or not. That is a bit of an oversimplification, but still true. All of this is what I mean when I'm talking about the context of something mattering. As for the OP, if this is the only concerning behavior she engages in, there is no reason to call it an eating disorder. This is simply a behavior to watch, as it gets out of control for many people and develops into something more clinically significant. For the people saying it's a good idea...it's not. This kind of behavior is often part of eating disorders and while it doesn't sound as if it currently is for the OP, it can be a dangerous slope.

_Terrapin_ wrote: »

Larissa_NY wrote: »

haninesloss wrote: »

No, you're being in control. Having an eating disorder means to go to extremes just to avoid gaining a few extra pounds. I'd say you're being smart.

On what planet is chewing food to get the taste and then spitting it out not an extreme behavior?

Larissa_NY wrote: »

haninesloss wrote: »

No, you're being in control. Having an eating disorder means to go to extremes just to avoid gaining a few extra pounds. I'd say you're being smart.

On what planet is chewing food to get the taste and then spitting it out not an extreme behavior?

Baseball players and sunflower seeds. So, chewing and spitting is fairly common. Seriously though, they do it for the ensuing boredom and the 'meat' of the seed. I doubt many are doing it for the taste. Then again.....

Isn't what they are spitting out the shell, which is inedible?

Sunflower seeds, my guilty pleasure..... I can eat them until my lips crack from the salt! I don't believe that spitting out the shells is the same as chewing food and spitting it out, the shell is inedible. No different than eating crab/shrimp and not eating the shell, or peeling fruit? You are eating the inside and then discarding the inedible portion.

I think that the fact that you are asking has you concerned enough about your behavior that you should see a doctor. It definitely isn't normal or smart, surprised to see posts saying that it is??

_Terrapin_ wrote: »

Howdoyoufeeltoday wrote: »

It's a form of disordered eating called chewing and spitting. It can get a lot worse and it usually leads to one of the more commonly known eating disorders like anorexia or bulimia. Chewing and spitting along can cause mouth and teeth issues and it can also cause stomach ulcers and things like that because when you chew your brain signels your stomach to start producing stomach acid but without any food in the stomach the acid can irritate the lining.

Advice: chances are your diet is overly restrictive which is why you're craving so much sugar. So up your calories and allow yourself to have some treats once in a while. If you still can't stop after that then maybe seek some help into figuring our why you're so fearful to eat the food.

Good luck to you!

So, gum is bad?

From a "disordered" stand point no. Gum was specifically created to be chewed on. It freshens breath and it's a good alternative to eating too much candy etc.

From a physical standpoint, too much gum chewing isn't good for your mouth and teeth.

Food is not gum. Food is meant to be eaten that's what it exists for. To say that is ok to chew and spit out a piece of gum so it must be ok to chew and spit out a cookie is very different. Why have the cookie at all if you don't want to eat it, why not just chew gum? And where does it end? One cookie, next 10 cookies, next a whole meal? Food is not meant to be used that way because then your brain starts to think food is bad and when that happens, that's when eating disorders start.