Disordered Eating vs Eating Disorder

Not many people have heard of the term “disordered eating,” meanwhile, many are suffering with it. In our culture, I would argue that most people have disordered eating patterns. This is really due to the diet culture we live in…it’s more normal to have a negative relationship with food than anything else.
I would suggest that people who chronically diet are disordered eaters. Those who judge their food intake or places food into categories such as “good” or “bad” are disordered eaters.
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Now, how is that different from an Eating Disorder? While I think many in our culture are disordered eaters, I wouldn’t say they all have Eating Disorders.

Eating Disorders are when people have a significantly unhealthy and negative relationship with food. Their judgment of food far surpasses that of a disordered eater. Let me give examples that may make it clearer;

Disordered Eater: “ugh, I really shouldn’t have this chocolate cake! It’s so bad!”
*eats it anyways and may experience SOME guilt*

Someone with an Eating Disorder: *spends all night contemplating whether they can eat the chocolate cake. Calculates the calories of everything they’ve eaten all day to see if there is room to have the cake? Can’t focus on anything else going on because they are fully preoccupied with the cake and whether or not they can have it.

The difference is that Eating disorders are all-consuming. They significantly interfere with the quality of your life. Many can identify with the disordered eater, but not as many can identify with an actual Eating Disorder.

It’s important to be honest with yourself if you are considering which category you fall more into because the Eating Disorder has a tricky way of down-playing its severity! If you feel you are struggling in any way, even with disordered eating, it can’t hurt to get help! Disordered eating can easily turn into an Eating Disorder if it goes untreated. Here’s a guide to getting the right help or if video is more your thing, check out this guide.

I hope you found this post helpful! If you know anyone else who could benefit from reading this, please share with them. If you have any questions, concerns or requests for future posts, please leave a comment or message me privately.

I wish you wellness and understanding on your journey to finding your State of Balance!
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Also, check out my Youtube Channel for more inspiration!

You may also like these posts:
Snapshot of the Different Eating Disorders
Lies my Eating Disorder Made Me Tell