Disordered eating Q&A from New Hampton School students
On December 5th, Dr. Schinaman was a guest speaker at New Hampton School to discuss eating disorders and disordered eating, an area where he specializes. Toward the end of the presentation students were given the opportunity to ask anonymous questions for Dr. Schinaman to answer. Due to time restraints, he wasn’t able to answer all of them however, there were some excellent questions that we wanted to follow up with and provide answers for those students. Below you will see questions that cover a broad range of interest as it relates to disordered eating. If you have a question you would like answered, visit our Instagram page to DM us or post it publicly on our Q&A post.
Is eating too much also a disorder?
The short answer is it can be. Eating too much over time MAY lead to obesity, diabetes, and cardiac disease. The amount of food you need is typically individualized and specific to your body type, metabolic rate and activity level. It is always best to speak to a professional e.g., a Licensed Dietician, for guidance.
What is the best way to help to lose weight?
Consult with a Licensed Dietician. Optimizing your health and wellbeing is far more complex than simply a number you read on a scale. They will help you understand the role and importance of nutrient dense foods, how what we eat contributes to our mental health, and how to eat for the lifestyle we are trying to lead. What you eat as an athlete may look very different to someone who’s hobbies include much less activity. Our nutritional needs are very specific and individual for each person.
Can avoiding dairy and gluten as a result of a reaction to it (I.E.: lactose intolerance) impact dietary imbalance or disordered eating?
If you have an allergy or intolerance to a particular food or food group then it is in your best interest to avoid those foods, it is most likely doing more harm to consume them. We would recommend consulting with your allergist or dietician to determine what you may need to supplement for if you are removing a particular group of foods.
If people don’t like to acknowledge they have a problem… and you ask them… often hear “I’m fine”. How can you then help? How do you approach someone who you suspect has an eating disorder? And how do you support them? How do you approach a parent who you suspect has an eating disorder?
Be confident and assertive in your approach but ensure it comes from a place of love. It is to be expected that often you can become the “bad guy’” when bridging this topic because it is illuminating an incredibly delicate and vulnerable part of them. Often people’s natural response is to deny and deflect. If you truly believe the person you love has a problem, don’t let their defense deter you, it could save their life.
How do the words of coaches and adults around you influence the development of an ED?
It’s important to ensure you have someone that you trust who you can share tough conversations with, even if the things you’re struggling to manage are comments from adults or coaches. A good place to start would be your parents, older siblings, or your therapist.
How do we help a sibling who struggles with eating disorder?
Start by letting them know you are there for them, without judgement. Actively listen to what they share and do not try to “fix” them. Seek professional help, as difficult as it may be to relinquish control, unless you are a trained professional, it is not your responsibility or role to solve the illness of someone who suffers from disordered eating or an Eating Disorder.
If I have a friend that is currently in residential for the second time, how can I help/make sure this doesn’t reoccur?
You cannot. As difficult as it may be, letting go of the idea you can control the outcome of someone who is suffering from a mental illness is imperative to your own mental health. You simply must trust the professionals and your friend’s journey in healing, and be present and available for your friend when they need you. It might also be beneficial to participate in family educational programs that offer insight into how the illness works and learn more about how and why your friend is sick.
Can you clarify when it’s safe to go vegan, or cut out certain foods? I believe there’s a healthy way to do this.
Eating vegan and/or vegetarian can be healthy but can also be lacking in specific nutrients. It’s best to consult with a Licensed Dietician prior to making this important decision. Those who make this change and can meet their daily nutritional needs often have to be creative around ensuring the appropriate number of calories and amount of protein, calcium, Iron and Vitamin B-12 in their diet. Speaking with a professional is even more important if you have been diagnosed with an Eating Disorder in the past.
Can cognitive degeneration be fixed over time?
It depends. In most cases, those that have suffered degeneration from their Eating Disorder can regain full function and recovery if they are able to stabilize their eating and maintain Eating Disorder recovery relatively quickly. In more chronic cases, the damage caused from an Eating Disorder can be improved upon and functioning can improve greatly but individuals may not regain full strength to where they started. There are many lifestyle changes that you can implement to become as healthy as possible and live a life filled with purpose and happiness.
I get nauseous if I eat before games, what do you recommend?
This is a great question, specifically for a Licensed Dietician and/or a Mental Health Professional that specializes in disordered eating and Eating Disorders. They will work with you to determine your needs for performance while also taking into consideration what your body does and does not respond well to. There could be several reasons why you are getting nauseous before a game and they would be best to help navigate that answer.
Is there a healthy way to approach weight loss without falling into disordered eating? Is fasting ever okay?
Yes, there are healthy ways to approach weight loss. The best way to approach weight loss is to utilize the services of a professional. Fasting and other methods of diet manipulation are all topics that we would recommend you discussing with the professional of your choosing. The health consequences of dieting without consulting a professional can be serious and long lasting.
Why is Breakfast an important meal?
Breakfast, Break-Fast…it is the first meal that you consume that takes you out of a fasted state from the rest and recovery that took place while you were sleeping. Breakfast provides the nutrients necessary to begin your day, fueling your brain and body to perform at it’s best after having not received any nutrients in many hours.
Vegetarian? Gluten Free? Is not eating any carbs healthy? Is it ok to only eat vegetables? Is eating extra food from a certain food group (dairy, protein, ect) unhealthy?
It is important to eat a diet that contains all macro nutrients, this consists of protein, fat, and carbohydrates. A meal often has a combination of all three macro nutrients – each macro plays a critical part in your bodies requirements to function and perform at it’s best. Understanding the macro nutrient breakdown for you is very specific and individualized. It considers your body weight, muscle composition, body fat percentage, activity level, and known allergies—a scientific process is applied to determine your needs. This is best coupled with the advice of a professional, such as a Licensed Dietician, to help understand the breakdown and then how to apply this information to your day-to-day life.
