As previously mentioned, the cause of malnutrition may rest in either the voluntary or the involuntary realm. A person might not have money to buy food, or might be held in a POW camp. Various physical ailments can cause malnutrition. In any case, it is caused by the restriction of calories, and in some very problematic cases that restriction is self-imposed.
Notable instances of self-imposed malnutrition are anorexia, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder (BED). People with anorexia avoid eating, which is an upfront restriction. People with bulimia eat and purge, which is ex post facto, or retroactive restriction. People with BED periodically eat an enormous amount and then maybe vomit or take laxatives or diuretics, or “go on a diet,” or half-heartedly start an exercise program to compensate; or just vow that it will not happen again — until it does.
An emotional beating
Apparently it is common for a person with BED to spend a lot of time sunk in guilt, figuratively beating themselves up because it happened again, and they don’t even like any of the stuff they so rashly consumed. One veteran of the syndrome advises others to put that mental energy to better use by exploring alternatives, which admittedly will be difficult because “ED thrives on rigidity.” This person recommends an attitude of flexibility, curiosity, and experimentation. For instance, by experimenting with food they personally have noticed that eating smoked salmon and acorn squash will make them feel “fed” enough to avoid a binge.
People who have been dealing with the condition for a while recommend protein, because it has worked for them, and at the same time acknowledge and warn others that everyone’s struggle is different. Some people are very conflicted. One forum participant writes, “I wake up thinking about what to binge on… I hate feeling full, I hate having food in me.”
Trying to rid oneself of binge eating disorder can become very complicated. According to the Cleveland Clinic,
Some people find that a structured, nutritionally balanced meal plan can simply reduce some of the decision-making stress related to eating. It can satisfy your physical needs while leaving less room to act impulsively or emotionally. Although weight loss isn’t the main goal of treatment, it can be a side effect, and this can help relieve stress for some people. However, diet may be triggering for others with BED.
Paradoxically, a binge eater might suffer from malnutrition. Most likely they take in plenty of macronutrients — sugar and fat — but they are probably not getting anywhere near enough micronutrients (vitamins and minerals). Deficiencies can cause cravings, which is the body’s way of saying it doesn’t get enough of some specific nutrients. The ED (eating disorder) mind translates this into “I’m not getting enough FOOD,” which then pushes the person into binge eating whatever happens to be nearby — which may be something they don’t even like! — or whatever high-calorie treat is easiest to lay hands on at the moment.
Apparently the one thing that all people who suffer from eating disorders have in common is their ED mind, which speaks with its distinctive and annoying, yet somehow captivating, ED voice. One person writes,
When it comes to eating disorders, logic does not apply to its mechanisms. It’s more like a compulsion, or an obsession — your little rituals that you have to do or your world will fall apart — take over the voice of reason that knows they’re unnecessary. That voice is still there but it feels like it’s constantly arguing against your ED voice.
Another person says,
I’m terrified to gain *too* much weight because my ED says my life will fall apart if I do.
One symptom of a falling-apart life is to constantly run up against obstacles that seems to have momentous importance and imply dire consequences. Here is one example:
So today I put new batteries in my scales and I weighed in at 199lbs, which was a difference of +3.4lbs from before I changed the batteries. This means I’ve been weighing wrong for weeks, which is making me panic now — I have all my numbers and calories based on what I weigh and it was wrong.
Another person talks about a wedding invitation he will refuse because…
I’ll have to wear a suit and look fatter than ever. I also don’t want to be around that many people at once — I’ll end up having a panic attack and then binging, and I really can’t afford that.
Another respondent offers a shred of hope:
I feel like over time the ED voice gets louder and louder until [it’s] screaming at you 24/7 while the other voice is barely a whimper. But if you ever want to get out of this, you have to let that little voice speak.
Your responses and feedback are welcome!
Source: “ED Support Forum,” EDSupportForum.com, undated
Source: “Stop Binging for Once,” EDSupportForum.com, 01/15/24
Source: “Binge Eating Disorder,” ClevelandClinic.org, undated
Source: “ED Support Forum,” EDSupportForum.com, undated
Image by Chic Bee/Attribution 2.0 Generic
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