Anorexia/Eating Disorders/Abnormal Eating Habits

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Expert: - 6/1/2010


Question

French Fry Ends
Hello Mr. Hale,

When I eat foods, I tend not to finish the whole piece of what I'm eating. Sorry if I worded that to be unclear to you, but if I pick up a french fry for example, I will eat it down to the part my hand is holding. The piece of the french fry that my hand is holding is classified as the "end." I do not know if this is a fear of my hand or just a fear of endings, but my friends and family find it extremely abnormal. I don't know if this is a EDNOS or a new form of one. Not all foods have an end, there are certain exceptions. Even round or oblong foods have ends. I would like to hear what your prognosis before I consider getting help from another expert.

A list of what foods do have ends:
Cookies
Apples
French Fries
Chicken Nuggets
Carrots
Gum
Burgers
M&M's
Reece Cups

Foods that do not have ends:
Chips
Candy Bars

I attached a picture of my french fry ends that are left over after my Burger King meal. This occurs every time I eat food, not a once-in-a-while type of event.

Please help me.
A.M

Answer
Angela-  I would not consider this an eating disorder and neither would anyone diagnosing this behavior.  There are more considerations to be made even to classify it as "not otherwise specified."  However, in nearly every case of an eating disorder, there are food rituals or "strange" food behaviors.  I've known people who do this same behavior but more out of a fixation on germs.  It is a little obsessive/compulsive, and OCD is often associated with eating disorders, but this too is not enough to make an OCD diagnosis. For now, it's just a bit strange.  it would depend on your thoughts and feelings about food, as well as body image and motivation for it to be considered an eating disorder.

Ryan Hale

Expertise

I can answer questions specifically geared towards athletes and their eating issues. I would be able to assist parents or coaches with questions or concerns about disordered eating practices often found in the exercise and sports settings. I also have experience in training and conditioning so I am in a position to discus how the two interrelate.

Experience

I have a bachelor's degree in sports medicine and master's degrees in sport psychology and clinical counseling. I have done counseling with individuals, couples, and families, with specialization in athletes. Past clients have included triathletes, dancers, college cyclists, and Pro Tour cyclists.

Organizations
National Athletic Trainer's Assoc. American Counseling Assoc

Education/Credentials
bachelor's degree sports medicine master's degree sport psychology master's degree clinical counseling Nationally Certified Athletic Trainer with NATABOC Nationally Certified Counselor with NBCC Colorado Registered Psychotherapist

Past/Present Clients
U.S. national team level female athletes High school athletes Semi-pro soccer Pro Tour cyclists Triathletes Dancers

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