SZN 2. Ep. 4/ Disordered Eating
Disordered Eating
By: Meghan Monte, RDN-LDN, CEDS
In the realm of eating disorders, our minds often gravitate toward anorexia and bulimia, but the reality encompasses a vast spectrum of harmful behaviors. Our practice embraces the term “disordered eating” to recognize the myriad ways individuals can struggle with food. Unfortunately, much of this remains obscured by diet culture and weight stigma, portrayed as mere “diets” or “healthy lifestyles” in the media.
An unseen aspect is the feeling of invisibility experienced by many sufferers, believing they’re not “sick enough.” Conditions like Binge Eating Disorder, ARFID, or OSFED are less recognized, leaving those affected feeling unheard and invalidated. Our practice provides outpatient care for various eating disorders, with or without a formal diagnosis. Disordered eating, including chronic dieting and emotional eating, can impact anyone.
We also take great care and attention to having a Health At Every Size (HAES ®) and safe space for all bodies. These are things that can be overlooked in everyday life when supporting someone with an eating disorder or someone in a marginalized body. It can help to have that understanding of how this comes up in everyday life. Someone might not go to a certain restaurant not just because of eating disorder concerns but also because they have concerns about a space being body inclusive. We work to be mindful of these occurrences and want to educate others about body inclusivity in all that they do.
Another part of eating disorders that is often misunderstood, is the idea that someone has one diagnosis and just the behaviors applicable to that diagnosis. However disordered eating manifests in various behaviors and can lead individuals through cycles of different eating disorders. Where one might cycle between restriction and binge-eating episodes or binging and bulimia. This struggle consumes mental energy, diverting focus from meaningful aspects of life.
We’re witnessing instances of disordered eating emerging at younger ages, sometimes originating from school curriculum. Patients share stories of “health” classes where children and teens are advised to restrict calories or label foods as “slow” or “no” foods. These experiences have significant and lasting effects. Our aim is to provide ongoing support to both patients and parents from an early stage, aiming to prevent the onset of eating disorders and minimize disruption in their lives.
Our ultimate aim is to silence the noise of diet culture, focusing on enhancing day-to-day well- being. We create a safe space to combat diet culture and address eating disorders collaboratively. Whether a formal diagnosis exists or not, our comprehensive approach involves coordinating with other treatment providers to address emotional aspects through therapeutic intervention. Our partnership with therapists ensures combined support for patients’ well- being.
