Chronic Illness and Disordered Eating
June 26, 2024
(Photo credit: Diana Polekhina on Unsplash)
In our society it’s hard to avoid information about what kind of foods we “should” be eating. It’s nearly impossible to spend time on social media or the internet, without hearing about products or supplements that promise to help us change our body, or get rid of various ailments we may have. This can be a minefield if we are already struggling with our relationship with our bodies. But having a chronic illness can make these messages even more emotionally charged and seductive. Our abelist, and healthism obsessed culture really sells us on the idea that if we just do all the right things (eat the “right” foods, take the right supplements, or do x type of exercise) we will be “healthy”. (I put healthy in quotes because health is a socially constructed term)
If you are someone who’s struggled with any kind of chronic illness or chronic pain, it seems there’s no shortage of diets, superfoods, supplements or gadgets to try in order to feel better. And let’s be honest, it’s hard not to want to believe all of the claims we hear. Because chronic illness can really stink! I have lost track of how many things have been recommended to me when I share about some of my different illnesses. And there is nothing wrong with wanting to try to feel better. But it’s also important to try to listen to your body over the hype around a new superfood or new diet. We all deserve to be able to connect to our bodies enough to make decisions that nourish us. If you want to learn more about wellness culture and the claims it makes, Christy Harrison’s Podcast “Rethinking Wellness”, or her book “The Wellness Trap” may be a great resource,
If you find that your eating has become more restricted or rigid than it used to, or your’e eliminated entire food groups, it could be worth looking into if these methods are giving you the relief you need. This is especially true if you’ve struggled with disordered eating in the past and feel some of the familiar patterns setting in. For many of us it feels good to be doing something to manage our illnesses. It feels like we have some semblance of control when so much about our bodies with chronic illnesses can feel out of control. If you are feeling like you are missing out on parts of your life, it may be time to assess if it’s helping you enough to keep going.
And let me be clear, sometimes we have to stop eating something because it’s actively harming us. If I’m deadly allergic to strawberries I may decide it’s worth it to stop eating them. Same if I was to have Celiac Disease and made the choice to cut out gluten to help me feel better even if I really miss certain foods. (This could easily devolve into a whole discussion about bodily autonomy and how we all are allowed to make any decisions about our bodies that we want, but that’s a post for another day. I’ll do my best to focus.)
It’s easy to get swept up in the hope of relief. It’s so important that we return to how we feel in our body when we try these things. If we haven’t felt connected to our bodies in a long time (or ever), this can feel like a monumental task. But you were born with the ability to deeply connect to your body and its needs. You may just need help unlearning the ways you’ve been disconnected from it. And many of us need help navigating the world with a chronic illness or disability given how hostile and unwelcoming it can be to those of us who have them. This is one of my specialty areas here at Every Body Therapy, whether it’s individual or group therapy. But there are lots of other ways to find your community out there. Keep checking out some of the resources I share and link, and I’m guessing you will find your people soon.