Expert: Meg - 2/7/2011

Question
Hi Meg,
My friend has an eating disorder, and I have some questions regarding it.
If you live on 500 calories a day, does your stomach eventually stop growling? and if so, how long does that take?
And if she were to seek help to try and get better, would she get fat if she slowly began to eat again? She talks about that a lot, and says thats one of the reasons she doesnt wanna get better.
What can i tell her?
Thanks!

Answer
Hi Kiva,

Thanks for your question.  You are a good friend to try to help and I hope that I can point you in some helpful directions.  

500 calories a day is not enough for a body to function well (and barely enough to function at all) so not only may one's stomach growl, but there are a whole other slew of health problems which will occur on a starvation diet like that.  

You might want to show your friend this link:

http://www.something-fishy.org/dangers/dangers.php

If she does try to get help and get better (which I really hope she does), she will most likely not get fat.  This is a common fear from people recovering from an eating disorder.  Most likely, her weight will restore itself to a healthy place eventually and she will be happier, healthier and also not as obsessed about her weight and dieting.  

It is difficult, as a friend, as you can not make your friend want to get better or eat.  It is great that you care, but it can be frustrating as well.  Here is a helpful page for you:

http://www.something-fishy.org/helping/whatyoucando.php

Hope this answers some of your questions.  Please write again if there is more I can do and my best to both you and your friend.  I hope that she decides to get healthy.

Take care,
Meg