Eating Disorders

Anorexia and bulimia are two conditions involved in eating disorders. These eating disorders have been steadily increasing over the last few years. It now takes place in 1 out of every 100 women. Nineteen out of 20 people who suffer from eating disorders are young women between 18 and 25. Studies have found that our societal habits and expectations increase the likelihood of a eating disorder in our young women.

The emphasis on outward appearances and thinness are targeted daily through peer pressure and how our society sells its Health and Fitness Products and Services.

Our food attitudes have resulted in systematically increasing rates of obesity in this country, and around the world---Say No to the Diet Mentality, Forever!"

Yes obesity is decidedly a problem in our society, and we have guidelines for Health and Nutrition, but the majority of young men and women fail to follow the guidelines in an attempt to reach immediate satisfaction or have had abnormal eating habits throughout their lifespan

Our current food attitudes have resulted in consistently increasing rates of obesity in this country, and around the world---Say No to the Diet Mentality, Forever!"

Nutrition Paradox: (noun) something absurd or contradictory in regards to nutrition, a statement, proposition, or situation that seems to be absurd or contradictory, but in fact is or may be true.

The Paradox of Nutrition is that it is not so much about what we eat but rather why or how we eat. Most people focus so much on the "good" and "bad" foods that they ultimately miss what is truly causing them problems.

From the chronic dieter to those with eating disorders, everyone can benefit from an improved relationship with food. Anyone can be the kind of person who "never has to worry about what he/she eats".

The flip side of Obesity is Anorexia

A typical anorexic is twenty somthing lady. Attractive and an over achiever. From an early age she prided herself on her image. She watched her diet, exercised daily and observed a regiment of self-discipline. She has always been thin, but has never been satisfied with her weight or appearance. She continually endeavors to lose more weight. She is 5’ 5” and weighs 80 lbs. She is unaware of the fact that she is ill-fed, therefore she sees no trouble with her appearance or weight.

How does this happen??
Many young women develop anorexia-like eating disorder patterns as our society is pressured with the pursuit of thinness. Many women are anorexic based on the eating patterns they have acquired by trying to accomplish unrealistic weight goals. Fashion models, long distance runners, women athletes and dancers commonly have anorexia-like traits.

Some of the Physical Dangers:
A rigorous dieting regime will send the body into starvation mode. Then the physical effects will start to manifest themselves:

Thyroid hormones will become abnormal. Adrenal, growth hormones and blood-pressure hormones also become abnormal. Heart functions change. The heart pumps less efficiently, muscles become weak and thin. Heart rhythms many change. Blood pressure levels fall. GI function can become abnormal. Diarrhea occurs as the lining of the digestive tract slow. High levels of Vitamin A and Carotene in the blood. Reduced levels of Protein. An increase in fine body hair, skin dryness and deceased skin temperatures. Brain activity becomes abnormal. Loss of sleep and feeling of never having enough rest.

The Anorexia Eating Disorder is hard to diagnose, because almost everyone in our society is in pursuing thinness. Denial and deception are common place for young women with Anorexia, therefore it takes a skilled professional to diagnose Anorexia.

The Eating Disorder Bulimia
Bulimia occurs in women of all ages, but is more common among those under 30. Bulimia is more common than Anorexia and in males. Only a small percentage of people who suffer from the Bulimic eating disorder show signs of Anorexia.

Common Activities With The Bulimic Eating Disorder
A thirty something women, she maintain a normal weight range and obsesses about food. She starves herself then binges, when she has eaten too much she vomits.

Like 60% of people with Bulimia eating disorder, she will start to binge after a period of extreme dieting. The most popular binge foods are food that are high in sugar and fat, and are easy to eat in large amounts. (cookies, cakes, ice cream, and bread products)

The side effects of the binge eating are swollen hands and feet, bloating, fatigue, headaches, nausea and pain. Physical Dangers: Fluid and Electrolyte imbalances. Abnormal Heart rhythms Kidney dysfunction which can cause bladder infections and kidney failure. Irritation to the pharynx, esophagus, and salivary glands. Erosion of teeth and dental caries.

Use of laxatives can cause injury to the intestinal tract. The Bulimia eating disorder has been identified as a socially approved method of weight control. Applied among women in the upper-classes because of social obligations which include many dinners and parties.

Both Anorexia and Bulimia are socially generated eating disorders generated by our need for the “perfect image”, resulting in self-destructive eating patterns.

Listen to your Body, it is Wiser than you Think. Respect your own unique traits and Diet sensibly.

I take an empathetic and compassionate approach when working with clients.

Many people are nervous or intimidated at the idea of seeing a nutritionist, but most people are pleasantly surprised after their initial session.

My goal is to show people there is a much easier way to eat. I am now offering an online nutrition program called Born to Eat, which uses an intuitive eating approach (also known as non-diet).

This program provides weekly lessons, along with unlimited email contact for additional support.