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Question: Paranoid thoughts/feelings about food. could i be developing an eating disorder mindset?

(Posted by: JaJa Moonbeam on 2008-08-07 06:32:14)

I started off my day today by walking 5 miles and then having breakfast, which consisted of bran flakes (30g) with two tablespoons of natural yogurt and some blackberries. Later on I had to go into town so I had my lunch at the local supermarket's cafe...I had a ham salad (three big slices of ham with lettuce, cherry tomatoes and a few croutons) and then I couldn't resist having a slice of apple and toffee pie. The thing is, I feel guilty. I eat a healthy diet every day but treated myself this once and I feel awful about it...like I'm going to suddenly pile weight on and I feel compelled to do more exercise, almost as if to punish myself. I'm going to have a healthy dinner (tuna steak with mushrooms, cabbage and broccoli) so I know I'm not going to be exceeding my daily calorie limit (1200) because of the apple pie...but I still feel really bad. Am I developing an "eating disorder " mindset and, if so, what can I do to combat it? I'm 5'2 " and 7st 12lbs so rationally I know I needn't be worrying excessively about my weight but I can't seem to help it. I'm now calorie- counting practically everything I eat.

Posted by: hellybelly on 2008-08-07, 06:41:55

Bless you i know the feeling i was for a long while like you are now always thiking about calories, always calorie counting it was crazy - i weighed myself at least twice a day and if i ever felt like i had put on weight or i had eaten too much then i would recify the situation. Its a horrid place to be, you could be headed down this road - the fact that your worrying about what you have eaten today so much you have had to write about it says a lot - the fact you know how many calories you have eaten too says a lot. i dont think this is a healthy place for you to be right now - have you got any issues or worrys in your life which is causing you to feel down or insecure or out of control? It could be that these problems are linked - you should try and seek help with either a GP or even a counsellor before it goes on for too long and too far - i went through this from the age of ten to twenty five - im now ok but i didnt seek help and wasted 15 years thiking about food and diets and all that stuff just talk to someone about this please and good luck with this.

Posted by: yahooyahooyahoo on 2008-08-07, 06:37:36

Is there anyhting going on in your life right now that you can think of that would put stress on you? try to deal with that first. many times, its not the apparent reason why we do things. there are often other things going on that make us act a certain way. Just try to take it slow. tell yourself you did GOOD today eatting like that. look at others who go to Mcdonalds and tell youself, WOW! i didnt do that today! You'll be ok.

Posted by: Chris on 2008-08-07, 06:37:54

My girlfriends fitness instructor said she is allowed a take away once a week! don't be so worried, as long as you have a healthy diet overall, (which you clearly do) you have nothing to worry about... see how it goes, if you think it is turning into a problem talk to a professional

Posted by: raseye on 2008-08-07, 06:39:46

Yes you need to be more confident that what you are eating is a good diet. Don't let the system bring you down, just stay away from processed foods and stuff containg MSG. You should maybe eat a bit more for breakfast.

Posted by: Nikiki on 2008-08-07, 06:41:42

Many eating disorders are caused by the person trying to find something in their life that they can control. Is your job or home life stressfull right now? is there something (unrelated to food) going on in your life that you feel you should stop, that may be making you feel guilty? these thoughts/ feelings can be transferred to food and cause you to develop a disorder. I'd recomend seeing a counselor about your life in general. see if you can get pinpoint the root of the problem. Good luck!

Posted by: kylie on 2008-08-07, 06:42:15

I have been through this before dont worrie about your weight, eat what you want and when you want, i have a friend who went through the same thing and she was so worried what was in her food she went on to anerexica and has never had a period since that now meens she cant have children and also she was put in hospital over this. its not a nice persishion to be in dont ruin your body eat what you want and exercise SOME off it off because its not nice being a bag of bones.

Posted by: chopsyturvy on 2008-08-07, 06:46:57

The only thing you can do to combat this is to change your own mindset. Your weight is perfectly fine, even a little underweight actually. So such thoughts are irrational, and only you can change the way you think. If your main diet is healthy, what is a few treats here and there going to do? What is life if we can't eat what we really want now and then! :)