About Saffron Expertise I can answer most questions related to Anorexia and other eating disordered behaviors. I am not a medical professional but have read a tremendous amount of medical and other information related to eating disorders out of curiosity.
Experience My eating disorder started when I was 15. I was anorexic until the age of 27. I went through periods of being less and more anorexic but I did not have a period for 10 years. I was a very high-functioning anorexic. When I hit about 70 pounds I knew I was at a point where I couldn't continue living a normal life (going to work etc.). I did not want to be hospitalized and I knew I was on a downward spiral. I struggled with severe depression and was given a prescription for an anti-depressant. It was not long after that I was really able to think more clearly and did not have the same level of anxiety and believe it or not, I made a choice. I could die or I could live and let go of my need for such control and not care so much how people perceived me and admit that I did not have to be emaciated to look normal as I had convinced myself. My recover started when I was 27 and I've not been "anorexic" since but I don't think one ever becomes totally free in the food and body area as one was before it all started. But I am very healthy now, not underweight and not overweight and eat healthily.
Education/Credentials I have a BA from an Ivy League college but no professional credentials.
Question QUESTION: hi! I am recovering from I guess you can say an eating disorder. I'm not really sure which one it is though...I was just depressed and I dropped about 28 pounds. I was originally 5'7 and 116 pounds (yes i know, already thin) and my weight went sadly down to ugh, 88 pounds!!! I am now eating again and everything and its been roughly five months. I still am not getting my period and this is really upsetting me. I have noticed weight coming on, however I don't weigh myself and my doctors won't tell me. I was just want to know if what I am eating really matters. Is it just calories? Or fat as well? I noticed I did lose weight however when I went for my fruit crave! So I had some peanut butter and my weight started coming back again . How many grams of fat do I need? Does it really matter?
I really am a vegetable and fruit person. This is where I am concerned. I barely eat bread because I was just never into it. That is why I Am asking if it really matters what I eat and when my period will come back.
ANSWER: Dear Stella:
It sounds as if you really were anorexic. Eat what your body craves. Fruit and vegetables is great but you need proteins and fats too. You should be eating carboydrates but it doesn't have to be bread. You can find a lot of information on line about sensible nurition. But it is calories that will help you gain some weight and get back to normal and get your period back too. So eating just vegetables and fruit while good, will keep the calorie count down. Peanut butter is a good bet for protein and fat and calories. You find all sorts of charts on-line if you Google. There's wealth of informaiton out there. So yes it does matter what you eat and eating a variety of healthy foods is the best way to approach refeeding your body and getting back to a normal weight.
Best,
Saffron
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QUESTION: Yes! Peanut butter was my best friend when I started to recover. I had so many spoonfuls. I can say with confidence that I had at least half a mini jar a day! I remember buying Organic Jars every week! My craving for peanut butter did go down a lot. But then just recently (probably after I posted this haha!) I just took a spoonful of organic peanut butter just for the heck of it you know? But then I found out I wanted more! So the past couple nights I have been having peanut butter and it has been working! My craving for peanut butter has died down and I really don't feel like having any now. I guess I just need to remind myself that I should be getting protein. I do have nuts occasionally but I perhaps I need to work them more into my diet so these pb cravings can go away. It is just I guess I don't feel like having to worry about what I am eating. Thinking "oh this is probably not going to help me gain weight." I hate thinking about it, but I know it will be the only thing to help faster. Ugh
Thanks for everything! :)
OH YEAH ANOTHER QUESTION SORRY: My metabolism will recover right? Everything will go back to normal. I had a really fast metabolism before and I was already skinny to begin with. I just hope I didn't mess it up. I really didn't mean to get skinnier.
Answer Hi Stella!
I don't know what it is about peanut butter but I can never get enough of it myself! Something tells me your body was screaming out for peanut butter because it's such a solid source of protein, fat and calories. Why fight the pb cravings? They are there for a reason. Hey you said you like vegetables and fruit. Sounds weird perhaps but I love peanut butter with carrots! And peanut butter with apples is great too. You said you're not crazy about bread but try pb on rice cakes or crackers too. Glad you are buying the organic kind because who needs all that sugar in the regular brands?
It sounds like you have a really healthy attitude. And yes! Your body and metabolism will recover. It may take some time but it will happen. Just as you said, try not to think about it too much. Eat what you crave and when you are hungry and don't make a big deal of it. It sounds to me like your body is sorting it's self out. Go with the flow. If you crave a big fresh salad one day -have it -don't say "Oh no, this won't help me gain weight." If that's what you're craving then have it and your body will most likely naturally give you the right cravings and hunger signals to get back to normal.
