mKendrick, when I replied, I was also thinking of your other post on this board. In an earlier post, on the 11th, you mentioned eating chocolates, becoming upset, and vomiting to get rid of them. (That's the "What did I just do?" post.) It's really your telling us about that experience, as well as sharing this other experience, that makes me ask you: Are you concerned that you are on the edge of developing an eating disorder?
I think I was a bit hasty in posting and should have spent more time fleshing out my thoughts.
Quote:
Originally Posted by kaplods
It's important when bringing up the DSM-IV that a diagnosis is never to be made based on person meeting only one symptom criterion - or even all of the symptoms criteria if the behavior isn't interfering with function.
Thanks for that, and I apologize for not adding in the requisite "I am NOT a Doctor" line
I think a lot of people have posted a lot of questions that deserve more thought. I do think that since mKendrick recently ate chocolate and then forced herself to vomit, this "chew and spit" behavior should be looked at in the context of a collection of disordered behaviors.
I believe that it's difficult to have a healthy relationship with food for most of us (most women in general). I think it's worth examining all these thoughts, feelings and behaviors with a critical eye to ensure that each choice made is the healthiest one for each individual.
for the person who mentioned wine tasting... it's NOT the same. Wine tasting (which can be compared to coffee tasting, which I do at work very often) is learning to become an expert about wine. It has nothing to do with not wanting to get drunk.
Personally, if these chocolates are causing you to go outside your normal behaviour, then I see it as a disordered way of eating. You don't want to be rude and throw away someone's gift? So, it's ok to be rude to yourself? I don't think so.
I would get rid of these chocolates right now if I were you. You seem to be spending too much time and energy on them, energy that isn't worth it.
The one piece of advise I carry with me at all times: Don't do ANYTHING in this journey that is not healthy or sustainable in the long run. Any type of disordered behaviour is neither healthy or sustainable.
Hi there, just offering my two cents..as I have experience with this. I've had friends who do this occasionally with one piece of cake. I would classify it as a disordered eating behavior, but not actually an eating disorder.
A few years ago I was classified as EDNOS and restricted my in take and would chew and spit..but I'm talking garbage bags full of food every night (gross I know). Eventually I switched to binging and purging.
I would be aware of it as an unhealthy behavior..eating disorders can start and spiral quickly. Maybe just enjoy the chocolate and count the calories?
And this is all just my personal opinion from my own experience, I'm not at doctor
No one means to get an eating disorder or eat in a dysfunctional way.
And it's so easy to shrug it off and think you have it under control when it first starts.
I'd really advise you to keep track of any incidents of disordered eating (Like you mentioned in another post) and see your Dr. It may seem excessive since you say you feel in control but these things can spiral out of control so fast you don't ever see it coming. At least you would have people around you who would know and help to stop it from developing into something worse.
ED's and secrecy go hand in hand, so letting someone know maybe you've been struggling or had some issues/incidents would be a good step for moving away from that direction, IMO.
Some of the replys here have really shocked me! I would do (and have done) something like that before. i think it is disordered eating, but certainly not an eating disorder in the context you mentioned. (im not referencing to the other thread mentioned i have not read it, my response is purley to this thread and i am not a doctor.)
Ive been at the beginings of both ends of eating disorders in my life. The thing that makes it an eating disorder for me is it being a REGULAR occurance. Every day, certainly, once a week? you have to determine whats regular for you. But from the sounds of it, you were given these chocolates, they look nice, you dont want to ruin your diet, but you want to enjoy a present right? So the LOGICAL choice, is as you mentioned. chew, enjoy, spit, no calories, treat enjoyed. Thats the way i would think of it anyway.
Now if i wasw doing this everyday and hiding it, feeling guilty, then maybe, i have a problem. But in the context you mentioned, i think you were just trying to stay on track with you healthy eating. And personally i dont see a problem with it.
But from the sounds of it, you were given these chocolates, they look nice, you dont want to ruin your diet, but you want to enjoy a present right? So the LOGICAL choice, is as you mentioned. chew, enjoy, spit, no calories, treat enjoyed. Thats the way i would think of it anyway.
That seems logical? Really? That makes me so sad, as you agree that it is "disordered eating", but then go on to say that you have done and would do it again.
It is my hope that everyone becomes capable of developing a healthy relationship with food (myself included) and that even the seemingly benign "disordered eating" behaviors will be a thing of the past.
It's been a few days and I haven't even THOUGHT about doing this since. I had a planned splurge on Christmas day, including eating and swallowing the last truffle. I didn't feel in the least bit guilty about it. And I still lost 1.5lbs for the week, lol.
I'm not concerned that I'm going to develop bulimia or a huge chewing/spitting habit because I did this. It's not something that will be a regular thing for me.
A few weeks ago, I got an early box of Christmas chocolates. I was tempted to toss the whole thing to avoid any tempation, but I figured that'd be such a rude waste of somebody's Christmas present. These are nice rich filled chocolate truffles.
So I had them sitting in my cupboard and nearly forgot about them. Well one night I had a chocolate craving and figured I'd have a truffle. I had already eaten my daily allowance for calories (I eat between 1300-1800), and I didn't want to go overboard. So, I popped a truffle in my mouth, chewed it up, savored it, and spit it out in the garbage (sorry, I know that's gross). I then drank a glass of water and brushed my teeth and went on about my night completely satisfied.
Well I've done this with my chocolate truffels a few times. Not every night, just when the thought occurs to me. It seemed to be a pretty good system to enjoy an occasional "off limits" treat without consuming all the calories. So I googled it to see if anybody else does it. Well I found a bunch of stuff on the internet that pretty much said it was the eating disorder that nobody learns about. People will spend $15/day on junk food, lock themselves in their room, and chew/spit/rinse, chew/spit/rinse. For hours. It's basically bulimia with the binging, the food just doesn't go all the way own to the stomach.
Well I have to wonder if my truffle eating is really THAT unhealthy. When these truffles are gone, I don't plan on getting more tempting food so I can continue doing this. I don't feel a need to do it or controlled by it. I certainly don't see chewing and spitting working itself into my lifestyle, but for a once in awhile treat that I wouldn't otherwise allow myself, then yea. I'm much more interested in having a healthy balanced diet with planned treats than starving myself by chewing and spitting everything. I do allow myself to have a piece of candy or dark chocolate planned into my daily calories, but it's not a 200cal cream-filled truffle.
I guess I can see how this would be an eating disorder, but I don't feel that my one truffle every few nights is that big of a deal. And I was wondering if anybody else has done this in a not-eating disorderish way?
"Chew and spit" is a common practice of anorexics and bulimics... I know it seems harmless, but it can lead to mind games...
I'd like to say that there's nothing "logical" or ok about these behavior..even if it's something you only do once in a while. No one plans on developing an eating disorder..it kind of creeps up on you and then it's to late. I would refrain from chewing and spitting or purging 100%. Again..just my opinion..because I've been through **** with these behaviors and I would hate to see it happen to someone else.
I think it is indicative of ED. I used to work with women struggling with ED, and they did this. I'm not an expert at all, though. Eat one, then brush your teeth. It won't kill you, but and ED might.
i tried this a while back. Sounded like a great idea, get the flavor of full-fat food without the calories. I was quite disappointed by how unsatisfying it felt to not swallow. Needless to say, it didn't last. Anyhow, I would be careful, don't make this behavior a habit! Like mentioned above, no one plans on making it a habit. I have binge eating disorder and I have NO IDEA how it went from something that happened one day to something that was happening twice a week or more!
That makes me so sad, as you agree that it is "disordered eating", but then go on to say that you have done and would do it again. 
