For those with Eating Disorders

[Raisingplenty]

I have had bulimia for a long time with recovery periods here and there. It has recently come back. Has the raw food lifestyle helped or has it made it worse? I really want to be 90% raw food but I keep falling back into this. Can you share with how you are coping or dealing with these challenges? I wonder sometimes if trying to go raw food is just another eating disorder for me, you know? Thoughts??
Crystal

[snoops]

http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/showthread.php?t=41094

[loodles]

Crystal,

Thank you for bringing this up. I have struggled myself with this very same question, and still don't have an answer. I find it much easier to go hungry on raw b/c I don't get the crazy hypoglycemic and other detox symptoms as much as before. Sometimes I don't even feel that hungry, but then I notice other symptoms creeping in like being cold, spacy, depressed, etc, that I know is from chronic undernutrition, not just the ubiquitous detox. I have also noticed this question/ultimatum arises especially when I am comparing myself/eating with/trying to explain how I eat to others (especially those in my support groups). It's hard to show up to a recovery group, having eaten a few pieces of fruit for breakfast and really be sure that you are taking the best care of your health.
I think the key is to really do this in a way that makes you feel vibrant, energetic, strong, mentally sharp, and alive. That seems to be a pretty standard result for many who take this path, but I have not had anywhere close to those results, and I suspect it may be due to not eating enough, or maybe needing a better balance of macro-nutrients (carb/fat/protein) to meet my needs. I am really unsure about it, too, and again I'm glad you brought this up.
I am certain that it does not HAVE to mean another form of the illness, but it's certainly easier to have it run rampant if it's something you already struggle with. In other words, I don't think "raw = ED" for everyone, but perhaps sometimes "cooked + ED => raw + EDx2". The absolute most important thing is to take good care of your health and SANITY. If you can't do that on raw foods, then I believe it's better to eat a healthier balance of cooked foods, and maybe incorporate some raw as you're able. Physical health is not the only health, nor necessarily the most important. Hopefully we can find a way to have both/all.

I would love to hear others' response to this question too.

[glacierkn]

Hi. I totally agree with loodles. I also struggle with bulimia, and after reading some cool inspirational stories from others who have overcome their ED by eating raw, I thought why not give it a try? I went raw and felt good for a while, thinking I might've found my "cure", but then I started using symptoms again once I got adjusted. My experience has been that although raw foods do help me recover after those "moments" and make me feel better about myself, they won't miraculously make my ED go away.

It's all up to our minds...I think raw food can help us, but we ultimately need to make a strong commitment to having normal eating habits if we want to overcome the ED.

[cosmic glitter kitten]

thank you for bringing this up, I have struggled with bulimia for many years and have found that eating raw has helped a lot. Of course I dont think the "cure" for my ED is in any particular diet, but at least with raw, organic food I know what Im putting into my body is clean, healthy and nutritious. I have tried almost every diet and weight loss scheme imaginable to try to control my binging and my weight. none of that has worked for me. I ended up getting help from OA. google it and check it out if you need help. They dont tell you how or what to eat, and so far it has been the only thing thats worked for me. (one day at a time, thank god!!)

Whats been important for me to realize is that no matter how I choose to eat, its not about loosing weight, its about being healthy. Energetic, relaxed, and at peace with my food and my body.

When I first started eating raw, I was attracted to the idea that I could eat whatever I wanted, lose weight and never have to count calories, carbs, etc. I was attracted to the idea of being able to eat as much dessert for breakfast as I wanted and not experience any shame or weight gain. It was just another way of binging for me. But eventually the bulimia came back because that's not a healthy way to eat. Its not sane. there are no short cuts, no quick fixes, no way to eat as much as I want whenever I want and still be stick thin. (this is all part of my own personal journey, and I had to figure this all out on my own the hard way.) Even with raw food, I have to make sure I am eating regularly, getting good nutrition, (balance of carbs, fats, proteins, calcium, etc...) and that Im not restricting. I can't eat a PERFECT diet. All I can do is my best, and for that I am grateful.

Anyway! Thank you all for bringing up this topic, I know a lot of people deal with these issues, but never talk about them. good luck and god bless!!