Thanks to my Google Alert, I found Jonathan's post on his blog, Wasted Food, entitled "
Eating Disorders and Waste."
He replies to a post by Karen Koenig, author of
The Rules of Normal Eating entitled, "
Rational Eating Beliefs."
I had half a mind to post the following reply to Jonathan:
You don't get it.
Depending on what type of eating disorder one has, leftovers in the fridge may fuel a binge (and possibly a subsequent purge by vomiting, laxative abuse, or starvation.) Worrying about taking too much food may lead to feelings of guilt and shame and consequently, not enough food is taken and the body turns to its organs for fuel.
Many people with eating disorders feel that eating is a waste of food. We don't feel that we are worth nourishing. When in the throes of an eating disorder, I would never take seconds - even if I was still hungry. I didn't want to "waste" food that could be used to fuel someone else - someone more worthy of living.
While recovering from my eating disorder, I needed to allow myself to "waste" food. I needed to learn how to listen to my body to figure out when I was hungry and full - because I had lost that connection. I needed to learn to believe that it was okay to miscalculate and take too much. It reinforced the belief that it's okay not to be perfect.
Now that I'm recovered, I gauge better how much food I need. I'm not afraid to take seconds if I'm still hungry. I save leftovers and am not worried that it will fuel a binge.
And I teach my son to listen to his body and give him the choice of what to do with the uneaten bits on his plate. "Do you want to save it for later? Or should I throw it away?" He almost always wants me to save it. But it's his choice. He is worth more than a few bits of food.
And so am I.
I didn't post this comment.
Why?
Because my husband said it best, "He won't ever get it."
Very few people who have never suffered or supported someone who suffered through an eating disorder will ever understand the torments in our minds. The feelings of worthlessness, the feelings of shame and loathing that accompany every minute of the day and crescendo at mealtimes.
Waste food?
Yeah, I waste food and I don't even bat an eyelash. I refuse to give food the power to shame me anymore.
I'm more than what I eat.
He replies to a post by Karen Koenig, author of The Rules of Normal Eating entitled, " Rational Eating Beliefs."
I had half a mind to post the following reply to Jonathan:
You don't get it.
Depending on what type of eating disorder one has, leftovers in the fridge may fuel a binge (and possibly a subsequent purge by vomiting, laxative abuse, or starvation.) Worrying about taking too much food may lead to feelings of guilt and shame and consequently, not enough food is taken and the body turns to its organs for fuel.
Many people with eating disorders feel that eating is a waste of food. We don't feel that we are worth nourishing. When in the throes of an eating disorder, I would never take seconds - even if I was still hungry. I didn't want to "waste" food that could be used to fuel someone else - someone more worthy of living.
While recovering from my eating disorder, I needed to allow myself to "waste" food. I needed to learn how to listen to my body to figure out when I was hungry and full - because I had lost that connection. I needed to learn to believe that it was okay to miscalculate and take too much. It reinforced the belief that it's okay not to be perfect.
Now that I'm recovered, I gauge better how much food I need. I'm not afraid to take seconds if I'm still hungry. I save leftovers and am not worried that it will fuel a binge.
And I teach my son to listen to his body and give him the choice of what to do with the uneaten bits on his plate. "Do you want to save it for later? Or should I throw it away?" He almost always wants me to save it. But it's his choice. He is worth more than a few bits of food.
And so am I.
I didn't post this comment.
Why?
Because my husband said it best, "He won't ever get it."
Very few people who have never suffered or supported someone who suffered through an eating disorder will ever understand the torments in our minds. The feelings of worthlessness, the feelings of shame and loathing that accompany every minute of the day and crescendo at mealtimes.
Waste food?
Yeah, I waste food and I don't even bat an eyelash. I refuse to give food the power to shame me anymore.
I'm more than what I eat.