Expert: Ryan Hale - 5/31/2010

Question
Hi, okay, this might be a very very strange question to ask, but i'm a little worried about my eating habits. I'm a very busy high schooler, i do sports, clubs, ap classes, its a lot of work. that means that i'm usually always on the run, and i don't really have time to eat. so i tend to skip breakfast, all the time. that, alone, is not too bad, i can hold out until lunch, but i'm also a super picky eater. it's a terrible habit, but if my mom packs a lunch that i don't find appetizing, i usually skip my lunch too, and i tend to, on average, skip my lunch atleast 3-4 times a week. by the time i come home, i'm starving, so i make something quick, which ends up being nachos or top ramen noodles. so the only healthy and full meal i actually eat is usually dinner. now i'm not really big on counting calories and stuff, and i'd like to think that not weigh conscious, but i'm a little worried that i might have an eating disorder and not even know it. i'm 17 and weigh only 96 pounds, although i am short, only 5' 2"

Answer
Sheena- it sounds to me like your issue is more of planning your meals a little better.  usually with an eating disorder there are issues of body image and an intense fear of gaining weight.  That's not to say that your eating isn't somewhat disordered or that your not under-weight.  I would make sure I got together with whomever is buying food in your household and let them know your preferences.  Hopefullywith some better communication, you can have meals that appeal more to you.  Also, get some foods that are convienient like protein drinks, ingredients for smoothies, or energy bars that you can grab on your way out the door.  I am a bit concerned about your pickiness though.  It is one thing to be picky about food, it is quite another to use pickiness as an excuse to just not eat.  People with eating disorders can find 1,000 reasons to justify not eating.  So, hopefully planning and having foods you like close at hand is your issue.