– by Pirunrat Nathchayanonth (Yori), Client Coordinator
In recent years society has become more aware of eating disorder issues and the role it plays for majority of young women all over the world. The trend is changing and we can see that many reputable brands are rid of their skinny models and started to promote more common body images. But when we mention “eating disorders” what does it mean?
Mayo Clinic (https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/eating-disorders/symptoms-causes/syc-20353603) defines eating disorders as “serious conditions related to persistent eating behaviors that negatively impact your health, your emotions and your ability to function in important areas of life.Most eating disorders involve focusing too much on your weight, body shape and food, leading to dangerous eating behaviors. These behaviors can significantly impact your “bones, and teeth and mouth, and lead to other diseases.”
According to Healthline (https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/common-eating-disorders) there are 6 common eating disorders
- Anorexia – “People with anorexia nervosa may limit their food intake or compensate for it through various purging behaviors. They have an intense fear of gaining weight, even when severely underweight.”
- Bulimia – “People with bulimia nervosa eat large amounts of food in short periods of time, then purge. They fear gaining weight despite being at a normal weight.”
- Binge eating – “People with binge eating disorder regularly and uncontrollably consume large amounts of food in short periods of time. Unlike people with other eating disorders, they do not purge.”
- Pica – “Individuals with pica tend to crave and eat non-food substances. This disorder may particularly affect children, pregnant women, and individuals with mental disabilities.”
- Rumination – “Rumination disorder can affect people at all stages of life. People with the condition generally regurgitate the food they’ve recently swallowed. Then, they chew it again and either swallow it or spit it out.”
- Avoidant/restrictive food intake – “ARFID is an eating disorder that causes people to undereat. This is either due to a lack of interest in food or an intense distaste for how certain foods look, smell, or taste.”
With Covid-19 and working from home, you might find it more difficult to control your diet; whether it be overeating from stress (binge) or simply an imbalanced diet because of dependence on food delivery.
Confession, I binge eat sometimes on a bad day and to admit it is purely emotional related and in my younger days I did a bit of ARFID in order to lose weight as well.
But there is a road to recovery.
NEDA (https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/treatment) – “It is important that people with eating disorders seek professional help. There are differing approaches to treatment and no one-size-fits-all approach. Since there is not one approach that is considered superior for everyone, it is important to find the option that works for you. Coming armed with a list of questions to ask a potential provider can help you make that choice.”
It is no doubt that this also concerns your Mental Health and vital nutrients that’s important for your wellness that both should work in sync in order to help you overcome it.
Back to current date and Covid-19 situation, I find that most people share two extremes– either we are eating consciously more healthier or we spiral into the imbalanced diet of food delivery. I, for one, hasn’t cooked a decent dish for myself in a long time. Other than the boredom of isolation, a few personal reasons include
1. My condo’s pantry is too small to cook anything properly
2. The smallest portion I cook would normally last a few days, and I definitely know I don’t want to eat the same leftovers for 5 times
3. It is much more economically friendly to me to buy ready-meals compared to how much I spend buying groceries from supermarket
I’m not too proud of this as I used to enjoy cooking in a previous place where I have a full kitchen and can whip up anything I like from soup to proper Sunday Roast. More importantly, when I was able to see my friends from time to time to share our own famous recipe.
I don’t know if it’s the lockdown stress or is it because the MSG in all the meals I have ordered in the last few months, but I have been experienced acid reflux or medically named GERD for a while now. It came to a point where my relationship with food is in a bad place and when I say I struggle with it, you probably can’t imagine how much.
But after a conversation with Dr.Priya, our nutritionist from Lifestyle Nutrition who’s been helping many of our clients with their nutrition and diet journeys, I feel better knowing that mine can be improved by planning my meals properly in ways that is more suitable for individuals who are in solitude of lockdown like I am.
Dr.Priya offers personalized diet advice based on your goals and needs, and encourages encompassing a well-rounded lifestyle change which also includes exercise. Getting the right guidance from an expert is always the best to help shape and improve your health. Let us help you! Contact us now and we will connect you to this amazing lady 😊.
