[Nikki_20216]

I really don't know where to put this, so I'll put it here.

Is it considered an eating disorder if you spit out food before swallowing it, just to get the flavor? I know bulimia is throwing it up afterwards... but never swallowing it, is that considered the same thing?
Even if it's just with extra food that you know you shouldn't have and you actually eat the nutrients in your main meals.

[fatburner77]

Have you ever seen that show "Intervention" on A&E (it airs Sunday nights @ 10)? One episode highlighted a young lady with bulimia and as a part of her ritual to control her caloric intake, she chewed and spit, just as you're describing. A quick Google search of the terms "chew spit food" uncovers info stating that this behavior is often present in conjunction with anorexia and/or bulimia. Some health practitioners view chewing and spitting as a behavior concurrent with those aforementioned eating disorders, while others consider it a disorder on its own.
Some information suggests that doing this with foods like sweets (candy bar, for example) can screw up your insulin levels because some of the candy is absorbed by the tongue. Kinda defeats the purpose, no?
If you're eating generally healthfully and exercising a moderate amount, yada yada yada, and otherwise living a healthy lifestyle, it seems reasonable that you should be able to allot yourself some calories for treats, so that you wouldn't have to concern yourself with spitting out the "extra" food.

[RocknRoll]

And, if you want to just 'taste' the foods its been researched and 'chewing and spitting' actually absorbs 10% of the calories.

[HarpoChicoGroucho]

It's included in the category of EDNOS -- eating disorder not otherwise specified. And when I was struggling with both severe food restriction and bulimia, it was a method I did occasionally employ (I actually used chew and spit BEFORE I became bulimic). My opinion is that if you don't get this behavior under control right now, you may be looking at a more serious problem if it develops into a full-fledged, dangerous eating disorder. In my experience, it was a stepping stone to bulimia -- a gateway behavior. Please try to stop, and if you can't, you probably need to look into professional help. I know it may sound drastic, but you definitely don't want to fall into the grips of anorexia or bulimia.

[Cats tongue]

Yeah, I would say that is an "eating disorder". It's one of the new ones that's coming out more. I've seen a few shows on it, including Tyra. I would say you have to take care of it now, or it might get worse and worse, just as Harpo said.

[shrinkingchica]

It is an eating disorder. I also have done this on occasion.....like Harpo it was a sort of gateway behavior. Get help sooner rather than later.